A JIMBOOMBA year six student has been inspired by the resilience of an Australian scientist to create an exhibition on seaweed extinction.
Jessie McMillan, who attends Hills International College, saw a documentary earlier this year on scientist Dr Pia Winberg, who was scalped in a lab accident in February.
He said he was inspired by her resilience and passion for her work and had subsequently developed an interest in seaweed, Dr Winberg's field of study.
"I think it's important to me because seaweed could be used for many reasons," he said.
"It can be used for health products such as creams and capsules, gut health, even making bricks and biodegradable packaging plus food.
Seaweed can capture more carbon dioxide than the Amazon rainforest.
"It could be way better than planting a tree, but it's always still great to plant a tree."
"It reduces ocean acid and it reduces greenhouse gas emissions because you can feed cattle seaweed to make them reduce methane."
- Read more: Australian sawfish close to extinction
Jessie, who has been in regular contact with Dr Winberg since starting the project, has several actions planned as part of the exhibition.
"I had a stand at Hills College Spring Fair (and) I sold Dr Pia Winberg's products at the spring fair," he said.
Jessie also plans to visit the scientist at her seaweed farm in New South Wales.
At an exhibition on September 18, Jessie will have a donation box to collect money for a marine conservation charity, a cause near and dear to Dr Winberg. He has also created a GoFundMe page.
"The thing that inspires me so much is that she still wants to continue researching after her accident," he said.
