Curious young minds explore aquatic science at Curtin Malaysia’s Brine Shrimp Workshop

Miri, Sarawak – 20 March 2025 – Budding young scientists recently dived into the fascinating world of aquatic life at a hands-on Brine Shrimp Workshop hosted at the Curtin Aquaculture Research Laboratories (CARL) at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia).

Organised by Curtin Malaysia and Miri Parenting Group (Persatuan Informasi Ibu Bapa Miri), the workshop brought together enthusiastic children aged 7 to 13 for an interactive exploration of the life cycle of brine shrimp (Artemia) – tiny but mighty crustaceans crucial to aquaculture.

Led by Dr. Lee Yih Nin, Assistant Director of CARL, and her research team, the workshop offered participants a rare opportunity to step inside a university lab, use professional stereo microscopes, and observe brine shrimp at various stages of development. The young learners also discovered how these microscopic creatures – often marketed as ‘Sea Monkeys’ – play an essential role in sustainable aquaculture as nutrient-rich live feed for fish and crustaceans.

Dr. Lee emphasised the importance of brine shrimp in ensuring food security and sustainable seafood production, explaining how they can be enriched with essential nutrients to support the healthy growth of aquatic species.

For participant Shun Qi, the workshop was an eye-opening experience. “It was amazing to see the different life stages of brine shrimp up close. Learning about how they support the food chain and contribute to sustainability made me think more about climate change and our ecosystems.”

Miri Parenting Group Chairman Thomas Ngu praised Curtin Malaysia and Dr. Lee’s team for making research accessible and engaging for families. “Workshops like this spark curiosity, encourage scientific thinking, and bridge academia with the community. It’s wonderful to see children learning firsthand from researchers in a real lab setting.”

With such enthusiastic participation and positive feedback, the workshop exemplified Curtin Malaysia’s commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

For more information, visit Curtin Malaysia’s website at curtin.edu.my or follow Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

CARL Technical Manager Lirong Yu Abit (4th from right) explains aquatic food systems to parents and children

Dr Lee Yih Nin (back row, left) with young participants during the brine shrimp observation session