Articles

Save the dolphins

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Eli John Camilleri, Jake Demicoli, James Caruana, Waldemar Vagner Aragon  for 7-10
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Commended

EcoMarine Malta warns of high extinction risks for dolphins due to human impact. Dolphins’ diet includes fish, squid, and shrimp; they hunt in pods. Social similarities with humans include enjoyment of companionship but face shared challenges like boat evasions. A code of conduct advises safe dolphin interactions, emphasizing respectful distance and noise reduction. Plastic pollution poses a severe threat, with many dolphins ingesting or being ensnared by plastic debris. Advocating for maritime regulation and reducing noise pollution are proposed solutions. By minimizing disruptions to their habitat and reducing plastic pollution, humans can preserve dolphins’ well-being. Maintaining a respectful distance during interactions and advocating for habitat protection are crucial steps in safeguarding these marine mammals.



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The Wild Extinction oof Honey Bees

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Giuseppe Grech, Nikolai Jovincin, Thomas Cilia, Timothy Axisa  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

Bees, essential for pollinating three-quarters of crucial crops, face alarming threats. Declining nectar levels, as highlighted by the UN, signify a concerning trend. Their role extends beyond honey production; they’re pivotal for pollinating human-consumed crops, with 84% relying on bees and insects. Yet, over the past decade, bee populations have plummeted due to various challenges like diseases, pests, and environmental factors such as air pollution and electromagnetic fields. To safeguard bees, promoting bee-friendly practices is imperative. This entails cultivating bee-friendly farms, planting bee-attracting flora like citrus, lavender, and rosemary, and transitioning away from synthetic pesticides. Community efforts, like the Ħaż-Żebbug local council’s initiative to preserve wildflowers for bees, are crucial. Government support, particularly through EU funds for organic farming, can accelerate this transition. Together, we must prioritize the preservation of bees, ensuring a flourishing future for both them and humanity.



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All about hedgehogs: Conservation, challenges and solutions

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Alexander Saliba, Claude Massa Camilleri, Dale Borg  for 7-10
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Commended

In Malta, the Algerian hedgehog is adored for its charm and unique behaviors, yet its role in the ecosystem remains unclear. Despite their importance in maintaining ecological balance, hedgehogs face numerous threats including road fatalities, pesticide exposure, and habitat loss due to urbanization. To address these challenges, drivers must adhere to road signs and reduce speed, particularly at night when hedgehogs are active, to minimize road casualties. Policy makers can promote public education on reducing pesticide use and advocate for stricter environmental protection laws to preserve habitats. By raising awareness and implementing sustainable practices, we can safeguard hedgehog populations and ensure their presence in our ecosystems for future generations.



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Mental health

submitted by Kirkop secondary school St Benedict College : Shymon Farrugia  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): fb, newspaper, other
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

Investigating mental health which may affect all humans, whatever their career of job.



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Turtles need our help!!

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Daniel Bonello, Emerson Muscat, Kian Dimech, Raphael Scerri  for 7-10
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

The Mediterranean Sea is becoming a perilous place for its inhabitants, particularly turtles, due to plastic pollution. Every year, numerous turtles perish after being ensnared in floating nets or ingesting plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Research reveals that ingesting plastic increases their risk of death by 25%, hindering their ability to breathe and eat. Shockingly, up to 90% of young turtles in some regions have consumed plastic. Ghost nets and fishing hooks also pose threats. Solutions include beach clean-ups, proper waste disposal, and changes in fishing practices to minimize turtle entanglement. These challenges underscore the urgent need to protect marine habitats and mitigate human-induced threats. By addressing plastic pollution and adopting responsible fishing techniques, we can safeguard the future of marine life, ensuring a healthier and safer environment for all.



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Globalized Malta, Malta’s Controversial Future

submitted by Kirkop secondary school St Benedict College : Owen Polidano  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): fb, newspaper, other, to teacher for discussion
filed under Articles
awarded: Commended

Investigating globalisation in Malta by questioning people for different views on the matter.



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Protecting the lives of frogs

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Gregory Scicluna, Julian Said  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

In a world where people are taking over the homes of animals, frogs are silently asking for help. They face many problems like not having enough clean water to live in. But during the pandemic, when things were quieter, they had a better life with cleaner surroundings. Now, it’s important for the Maltese government and groups like Ambjent Malta to clean up places where frogs live, just like they did in Wied Liemu. They also need to protect frogs from animals like the American crayfish that eat them. By doing this, we can make sure frogs stick around for a long time, which is good for nature and for us.



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Echoes of Malta

submitted by Kirkop secondary school St Benedict College : Naya Fenech  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): fb, newspaper, other
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

Investigates the effect of music and the enhancement of the Maltese music industry.



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The Mediterranean Monk Seal: A cry for help

submitted by St Paul's Missionary College : Ben Jones, Francesco Grech, Kayden Micallef, Liam Zack Giordimaina  for 7-10
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): Google Classroom, other, school magazine, school media
filed under Articles
awarded: Participation

The Mediterranean Monk Seal is a rare type of seal that lives in warm waters. They are called Monachus Monachus scientifically. They can live up to 45 years, but usually live around 20 to 25 years. Their main predators are killer whales and tiger sharks. They eat things like eels, sardines, and tuna. Sadly, human activities like taking over their habitat and pollution, especially from plastic, are putting them in danger. There are only about 700 left, so we need to act fast to save them. We should work together to protect not only the Mediterranean Monk Seal but also all marine life.



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Feminism – How It Shaped Maltese Society and How It’s Thriving Today

submitted by Kirkop secondary school St Benedict College : Mireya Buhagiar  for 11-14
campaign: YRE Entry
dissemination(s): a noticeboard in the Imqabba Primary School, fb, Health clinic noticeboard, other
filed under Articles
awarded: Commended

To draw information from how Malta has changed during the past years, four women from different generations were asked by the reporter to speak out their opinions.



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