Student cleans up world and awards

Anne Sim has been supported throughout her research on global warming by her science teacher, Fenella Colyer. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A Manurewa High School student plans to address global warming with a little help from some algae.

Anne Sim, 18, has earned herself a Royal Society of New Zealand Gold Crest award for her research project "Down with CO2".

The project measured how effective algae are at reducing the carbon dioxide released from industrial outlets.

Her results showed algae with additional iron were the most efficient way to reduce carbon dioxide and a pond system was the most cost-effective method.

Anne presented her findings to the Royal Society last week and is one of only six students to receive the award this year.

She chose her topic because of her interest in the environment and for the benefit of future generations.

Overseas experiments suggested algae could be used to reduce CO2 emissions so Anne decided to investigate this further from an industry perspective taking cost into consideration.

Anne spent most of her holidays in the school lab, fitting research around studying for her Year 13 exams and part-time work.

Her project also won a number of awards at the Manukau Science and Technology Fair.

Anne has been supported throughout her research by her science teacher, Fenella Colyer.

Last year, Mrs Colyer was named one of New Zealand's top 12 teachers and she has guided two other students to achieving the award.

Anne said she first became interested in science through her three older brothers.

"Mrs Colyer was my science teacher in Year 12 and she made me enthusiastic about the subject."

Anne is not sure what area of science she wants to specialise in, but does know she wants to attend Auckland University. "I'll see what my best subjects are when I get my results."