A citizen science project monitoring microplastic pollution in Southland's waterways has won a regional award.

Micro-Investigators, started in 2019 by the Southern Institute of Technology, won the Environment Southland 2021 Environmental Action in Education Award.

The project see primary school students collect the data (samples from local waterways), secondary school students then analyse the data in the lab, and tertiary students lead the project and share the information produced.

Project manager Dr Christine Liang says: "Since beginning, we’ve seen some real impacts and outcomes.

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"Some schools we work with have formed their own action groups against plastic pollution.

"I can't even begin to express how honoured we are [to win], with all the amazing projects going on in Southland.

"They (the judges) chose our project because it was so comprehensive – it reaches all different levels of education."

Micro-Investigators, run through SIT's Bachelor of Environmental Management programme, first gained national attention when it was selected by NZ Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) Research Directors in 2020, to be part of a pilot programme.

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Through that, it received support for grant applications, and in June this year managed to gain funding from the Lottery Environment and Heritage Committee.

Liang said from the outset it showed huge potential.

If they were able to successfully roll it out locally in the Southland community, the model could be used anywhere, engaging children as the citizen scientists, growing their environmental awareness and positively influencing young budding scientists into the field.

"The older students are being role models for the younger ones, and those younger students can see pathways to becoming a scientist - they’re showing interest in having science as a career," she said.

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Dr Liang said whilst the funding they received has been helpful, the success of the project all hinged on the amount of involvement and level of support received from the community.

"Southlanders have been amazing, it has only happened because of the people of Southland and it couldn't have become what it is without the support of many people and organisations like Wastenet, the community groups and the schools."

She said Enviroschools was instrumental in reaching schools, and helping SIT engage farther into the region.

"It's great to see Micro-Investigators making a positive difference in our community and it's wonderful to be recognised through this award."