An innovative sand-animation video created by Aboriginal children from the Goldfields is helping spread the word about a project to identify childhood exposure to heavy metals across remote communities.
The Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy project led by The University of Western Australia examines baby teeth from children across communities in Perth, the Goldfields and Central Desert regions.
In January 2026, the sand animation was created during a two-week creative residency in Kalgoorlie by animator Steven Aiton with local children, artists Tanya Tucker and Rebecca Stokes, musician Lynn Hazelton and project volunteers to develop the story, create the sand artwork, compose an original soundtrack and record the narration.
Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy project chief investigator Dr Annette Stokes AM, Honorary Research Fellow from UWA's School of Earth and Oceans, said the animation communicated important messages about environmental health in an engaging and culturally meaningful way.
"We brought together the ancient way of teaching using Milpindi or sand drawing and modern science," Dr Stokes said.
"The children helped us translate that into images and words to tell the story of the Heavy Metal Tooth Fairy project and it is beautiful!"
A multidisciplinary team of researchers from UWA's Medical School, Dental School and Schools of Earth and Oceans and Human Sciences; the Rural Clinical School of Western Australia; UWA's Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis; and The Kids Research Institute Australia's ORIGINS study, collaborate on the project.
Researchers are analysing the geochemical signatures in at least 250 donated deciduous (baby) teeth from children across regional and remote communities in Western Australia.
Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, copper, mercury and zinc occur naturally in the environment but can leach into ground water and contribute to adverse health outcomes.
A key component of the project is its community-led approach, with Aboriginal research assistants supporting remote community members to develop skills in drinking water testing, environmental health, STEM and dental hygiene.
The community-led approach supports communities to share knowledge, strengthen understanding, and support the health and wellbeing of children and families.
The project is funded by the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Minara Community Foundation, WA Government Future Health Research and Innovation Fund, UWA and RCSWA.
Image top: (left to right) Lauren Goldie (UWA PVC Health and Medical Research), Andrew Page UWA Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Gervase Chaney (Research and Partnerships Manager, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation), James Ray (Project Research assistant), Dr Christine Jeffries-Stokes AM (Project Chief Investigator), Annette Stokes AM (Project Chief Investigator), Professor Desiree Silva (Co-Director ORIGINS) and Elizabeth Perron.
