Community & Business
7 February, 2026
A young scientist in the making
A MAREEBA High student has received a CSIRO award after completing an independent investigation that met the national standards set by the renowned organisation.
Zander Thiedecke was awarded the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Bronze CREST award for his research into the possible human impact on water quality in the Barron River.
He sampled the Barron River along several points from its headwaters to the river mouth and was able to identify changes in key water quality markers as the river passed through areas of increasing urbanisation.
His results indicated that there were in fact distinct changes in water quality, correlating with increased downstream urbanisation.
Zander said his passion for science was what led him to pursue this program, as well as learning different ways to separate materials from water.
“I chose this topic because I wanted to understand how industrialisation has impacted the environment,” he said.
“I found that more highly populated areas contained greater amounts of debris, including microplastics.
“I feel very proud to have completed the program and have learned a great deal about my topic.”
Zander said he has a strong interest in chemistry and biology and hopes to explore career pathways in those fields in the future.
The young student completed the Bronze level of the research organisation’s CREST (Creativity in Research, Engineering, Science and Technology) educational outreach program. He was gifted with a medallion, in addition with certificates, for his effort and commitment to learning.
