On Saturday, 29 August 2026, a group of learners from the Methodix Foundation’s Emerging Youth Leaders Programme joined Iimbovane for a day to explore how technology is helping scientists understand biodiversity and climate change.

The day began with an introduction to some of the technologies that are used in modern biodiversity research, including environmental DNA (eDNA), camera traps, artificial intelligence (AI), mobile applications and acoustic monitoring. Learners discovered how these tools allow scientists to collect information about species and ecosystems.

The activities then took learning into the field as the learners got to use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) to mark and record the locations of study plants.  a LI-COR gas exchange analyser was then used to measure the photosynthesis and respiration in the chosen study plants. By collected the Li-COR readings, learners could compare the gasses exchanged during photosynthesis, as well as the leaf temperatures of the study plants in different areas.

Through these activities, the learners experienced how technology, fieldwork and scientific data come together to help scientists understand how plants respond to their environment and changing climate conditions.