Eelgrass, a critical part of coastal ecosystems, faces numerous threats due to pollution, sedimentation, and climate change. By designing the Starfish Sensor System and Starfish Planting Matrix, the team aims to improve the way data is collected and to support eelgrass replanting in a sustainable way.
Inspired by the starfish, this 3D-printed modular sensor housing is designed to blend into marine environments while providing crucial environmental data. The sensor system is equipped with multiple sensors that monitor water quality, including dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH levels, temperature, and depth. Its modularity allows the easy replacement or addition of sensors, making it adaptable for various data collection needs. The design ensures that the system minimally disrupts the environment, thanks to its natural eelgrass-like appearance and its biodegradable materials.
To tackle the issue of eelgrass restoration, the team designed a wooden Starfish Planting Matrix. This biodegradable planting matrix provides protection for eelgrass roots as they reestablish in an area, helping reduce damage from invasive species like the European green crab. The matrix is designed to sit on the sea floor, allowing the eelgrass rhizomes to take root while ensuring that the structure degrades naturally over time, leaving no harmful traces in the marine environment.
Eelgrass plays an essential role in coastal ecosystems, stabilizing sediments, reducing erosion, and serving as a carbon sink. The decline of eelgrass meadows, caused by pollution, coastal development, and climate change, threatens marine biodiversity and the health of commercial fisheries. Scotia Stellar Systems’ project directly addresses these challenges by not only supporting eelgrass restoration but also enabling long-term environmental monitoring. The data collected by the Starfish Sensor System will help scientists, conservationists, and marine industries better understand and protect these fragile ecosystems.
The team utilized modern technologies such as Arduino-based control systems, 3D modeling software, and CNC machinery to develop their prototypes. Expert guidance from Ashley Noseworthy, CEO of Edgewise Environmental, and their teacher advisor, Dana Sweeney, was crucial in refining the project’s focus on sustainable, industry-relevant solutions. With the goal of healthy coastal ecosystems, the team envisions a future where coastal monitoring systems are networked to provide continuous, real-time data.
The Starfish Sensor System and Starfish Planting Matrix are early-stage prototypes with immense potential for marine research and aquaculture. These innovative products offer scalable, eco-friendly solutions to monitor and restore eelgrass habitats, contributing to the broader goal of sustaining healthy marine life. By leveraging 3D printing, modular design, and biodegradable materials, Scotia Stellar Systems is paving the way for smarter, greener marine conservation efforts.
