Keira P: Dusty’s Mitey Poo – Hidden Below
Who Keira P.
What Keira, in Year 3, has designed and conducted an experiment to discover which thread count of cotton bedsheets is best at keeping out dust mite poo, while still allowing air through. Dusty’s Mitey Poo – Hidden Below includes lots of information about dust mites and features Keira in a ‘mitey’ costume.
Winner of the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Primary.
Keira P accepting the 2025 University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Eureka Prize – Primary, with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. Photo by Getty.
Image: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images for Australian Museum© 2025 Getty Images
Keira, congratulations on winning the University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Primary! What’s been your favourite part of the journey?
I loved that I could be messy and do real experiments like rubbing cocoa powder on fabrics with a spoon!
Your short film is about dust mite poo. Can you tell readers a little more about what you explored in your research?
You see, a lot of people are allergic to dust mites, but it’s actually their poo that causes the itching and sneezing! I wanted to find out if different fabrics could block out the tiny poo particles. I used cocoa powder to pretend it was dust mite poo because the particles are about the same size and then tested it on different thread counts of cotton fabric.
Your film had so many different elements to it. How did you put them all together?
It took a lot of planning! I had to figure out which bits were for the experiments, which parts were for me to act as the dust mite, and where I’d actually explain the science. Then I found this thing called the media library in We Video and Canva — and I was like, yay, sound effects! So, I added lots of fun sounds and animations to make it more exciting.
Each week I showed a new scene to my science and technology teachers for feedback, which really helped me make it better and better.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned when making your short film?
I had already done the research and even won the STANSW Young Scientist Award for Best Scientific Investigation in NSW (K–2) for it, but I was surprised how different it was turning my project into a film. It wasn’t just science anymore, it was also acting, storytelling and A LOT of editing! I learned that science can actually be really creative!
“I learned that science can actually be really creative!”
What was the most challenging part about the filmmaking process?
The sound was definitely the hardest part! The microphone picked up everything - my clothes shuffling, my chair moving, and even someone walking past. I also learned I needed to speak clearly so the audience could actually understand me. I had to record some parts again and again.
Keira P. at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Award Ceremony. Photo by Mel Koutchavlis.
Image: Mel Koutchavlis© Mel Koutchavlis
Are you inspired to keep learning about science? If so, what topic do you think you want to explore next?
Yes! I really want to keep learning about dust mites and the thread counts of fabric. I’m curious if jumping on my bed could change the weave and let more dust mite poo through. I also wonder if washing my sheets too often makes the holes in the fabric bigger or smaller. That’s definitely something I want to test next!
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
