Projects Page
Honey Bee Project
Project Reflection
Honey bees are the base of the pollination system. They provide the main source of pollination that plants need in order to survive. Our lives, and the world as a whole, would be a much different place if bees didn’t exist. To illustrate this fact, consider these numbers: bees are responsible for pollinating about one-sixth of the flowering plant species worldwide and approximately 400 different agricultural types of plant. Honeybees and the other pollinators and the invaluable pollinating services they provide us with help produce approximately $19 billion worth of agricultural crops in the U.S. alone yearly. To say we rely on the pollination efforts of bees to sustain our modern food system is an understatement. Bees also beautify our planet by keeping plants healthy and helping them to reproduce by the spread of pollen. Bees also produce $150 million for honey production annually. Scientists are now reporting that in the last half decade alone 30% of the national bee population has disappeared and nearly a third of all bee colonies in the U.S. have perished. This is bad news. With declining bee populations we are slowly loosing one of the crown jewel pollinators. Our crop industry would suffer severe cuts in budgets and our plant systems would become very unhealthy. If the decline in populations continues entire food chains may be at risk. Bees provide the base of the food chain, keeping these plants healthy, which then feed livestock, which would eventually lead to less milk, cheese, eggs, and meat production, eventually affecting our daily diet. Our daily diet would suddenly consist mostly of corn, wheat, and rice as they are wind pollinated plants. Not to mention, we would loose a lot of our daily consumerism possessions such as clothes, furniture, paper, etc.. We would also be suffering a massive economical strain from their disappearance. It is important that we are aware of these consequences that come if we don't do something about the bees disappearing.
For this project I chose to focus on toxic pesticides and their effect on bee behavior and populations. I learned about three main toxic pesticides, neonicotinoids, coumaphos, and imidacloprid that target bee's brains (in most cases eventually leading to their death). I learned that these pesticides target bees' brains making them forget floral and causes them to become disoriented and loose their way back to the nest, eventually leading to their death in the field. I also found that pesticide residue can show up in up to 98% of the honey that we consume (according to Frazier’s study). I also collected information on how much death in the bee population pesticides cause, which (according to multiple studies) averages out at about 10% of all bee deaths are due to pesticides. For my exhibition I decided to focus on hopefully removing these pesticides for sale from chain stores (ex: Home Depot, Lowe's). I wrote a cover letter explaining my findings during my research to hopefully persuade my audience to sign a petition against Home depot and Lowe's selling these toxic pesticides to farmers that have harmful effects on bees. I was most proud of the knowledge I had gained through my research and how passionate I became about promoting that information. I feel like I effectively communicated my findings to the public and got a sufficient amount of signatures added to the petition. I wish I had though more out of the box during the project. I feel like I could've done a more abstract project that would've brought more creativity to the table, however I think the cover letter was the most effective way to communicate my findings in this specific context.
For this project I chose to focus on toxic pesticides and their effect on bee behavior and populations. I learned about three main toxic pesticides, neonicotinoids, coumaphos, and imidacloprid that target bee's brains (in most cases eventually leading to their death). I learned that these pesticides target bees' brains making them forget floral and causes them to become disoriented and loose their way back to the nest, eventually leading to their death in the field. I also found that pesticide residue can show up in up to 98% of the honey that we consume (according to Frazier’s study). I also collected information on how much death in the bee population pesticides cause, which (according to multiple studies) averages out at about 10% of all bee deaths are due to pesticides. For my exhibition I decided to focus on hopefully removing these pesticides for sale from chain stores (ex: Home Depot, Lowe's). I wrote a cover letter explaining my findings during my research to hopefully persuade my audience to sign a petition against Home depot and Lowe's selling these toxic pesticides to farmers that have harmful effects on bees. I was most proud of the knowledge I had gained through my research and how passionate I became about promoting that information. I feel like I effectively communicated my findings to the public and got a sufficient amount of signatures added to the petition. I wish I had though more out of the box during the project. I feel like I could've done a more abstract project that would've brought more creativity to the table, however I think the cover letter was the most effective way to communicate my findings in this specific context.
Dissection
Project
For my dissection I decided to dissect a shark. I chose a shark because I am interested in Marine Biology and I wanted to experience dissecting a marine animal. I also wanted to learn more about the shark's anatomy and physical features that allow it to live in the marine environment. Throughout this dissection I learned about the shark's anatomy and its different features that allow their body to function. I learned about the functions of many organs as well as the circulatory and urinary system. I also learned about the defensive features the shark has such as the lateral line which is a sensory organ that can sense changes in pressure in the surrounding area allowing them to sense large predators or prey or the spherical which allows the shark to bottom dwell and blend into the sandy bottom without having to move to pass water (extract oxygen) over their gills. I really enjoyed this dissection and I found that I am interested in marine animals and the way they function and how that effects their life in the marine environment. This helped me to find that one extra step that propels me towards achieving my passion, marine biology.
polymerase chain reaction
Procedure:
1) To perform a PCR reaction it is necessary that DNA has been extracted from cells: The purpose of the PCR lab is to duplicate the DNA billions of times over, even though you do not need much of a DNA sample to do this it is necessary that we have extracted DNA.
2) The first major is to move the extracted DNA sample into a special PCR tube. PCR tubes are defined as "special" because the tubes are designed for even heat distribution.
3) First move the extracted DNA to a special PCR tube (A). These tubes are defined "special" because they are designed for even heat distribution; release the extracted DNA in the PCR tube (f).
4) The next step is to add Primer one to the test tube; primers attach to the sites on the DNA strands that are at either end of the segment that you want to copy. Drag Primer one to the PCR tube (B); release the primer one into the PCR tube (f).
5) Next, add primer two, which will attach to the second site; drag primer 2 to the PCR test tube (C); release primer tube in the PCR tube (f).
6) Nucleotides are the A's, C's, G's, and T's that make up the code of DNA; add nucleotides to the PCR test tube (d); release the nucleotides into the PCR test tube (f).
7) DNA Polymerase molecules act like tiny machines that read the DNA code and then attach the corresponding nucleotides to create the DNA copies; lastly, add DNA Polymerase to the PCR tube (e); release the DNA Polymerase into the PCR test tube (f).
8) The PCR tube (f) is now filled with all the reaction components. To exactly heat and cool your test tube at certain times during the hour place the PCR test tube into DNA Thermal Cycler.
Cycle 1:
Sources:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/
1) To perform a PCR reaction it is necessary that DNA has been extracted from cells: The purpose of the PCR lab is to duplicate the DNA billions of times over, even though you do not need much of a DNA sample to do this it is necessary that we have extracted DNA.
2) The first major is to move the extracted DNA sample into a special PCR tube. PCR tubes are defined as "special" because the tubes are designed for even heat distribution.
3) First move the extracted DNA to a special PCR tube (A). These tubes are defined "special" because they are designed for even heat distribution; release the extracted DNA in the PCR tube (f).
4) The next step is to add Primer one to the test tube; primers attach to the sites on the DNA strands that are at either end of the segment that you want to copy. Drag Primer one to the PCR tube (B); release the primer one into the PCR tube (f).
5) Next, add primer two, which will attach to the second site; drag primer 2 to the PCR test tube (C); release primer tube in the PCR tube (f).
6) Nucleotides are the A's, C's, G's, and T's that make up the code of DNA; add nucleotides to the PCR test tube (d); release the nucleotides into the PCR test tube (f).
7) DNA Polymerase molecules act like tiny machines that read the DNA code and then attach the corresponding nucleotides to create the DNA copies; lastly, add DNA Polymerase to the PCR tube (e); release the DNA Polymerase into the PCR test tube (f).
8) The PCR tube (f) is now filled with all the reaction components. To exactly heat and cool your test tube at certain times during the hour place the PCR test tube into DNA Thermal Cycler.
Cycle 1:
- The Thermal Cycler heats up to 95 degrees Celsius; at this temperature, the DNA double helix separates, creating two single-stranded DNA molecules.
- The Thermal Cycler drops to 50 degrees Celsius; at this temperature, the single-stranded DNA molecules naturally attempt to pair up.
- The Thermal Cycler changes to a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius; this activates DNA Polymerase; when DNA Polymerase locates a primer attached to a single DNA strand, it begins to add complementary nucleotides onto the strand.
- The same 3 steps happen in Cycle 2;
- The temperature is raised again to separate the DNA strands.
- The temperature is cooled so the primers will attach.
- Finally, the temperature is raised again, stimulating the DNA Polymerase to copy the strand.
- During Cycle 3, the desired products start to emerge, two strands the begin with primer one and end with primer two. These are the DNA copies of the specific sample of DNA that was targeted. There are only two fragments at this stage and that is why we continue with these cycles to make these products the majority.
- By the end of Cycle Four there are a total of eight fragments that contain only the target sequence.
- By the end of Cycle Five, you have a total of twenty-four fragments that contain only the target sequence.
- After 30 cycles there are over a billion fragmentations that contain of only the target sequence.
Sources:
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/labs/pcr/
Crime scene investigation project
Project
The objective of this project was to formally learn about the topic of Forensic Science and how it can be used effectively in Crime Scene Investigations. We started the project by learning about exoneration and how DNA has improved the efficacy of our justice system. This was a major building block for our project for the task we, students, were given was to perform a realistic crime scene investigation using Forensic Science to help us obtain answers. The students were all split up into pairs, each being paired with a crime scene. We had to complete many tasks, including writing four evidence reports. There were many labs that had to be completed as well.
In order to fully understand the process of Forensic Science and how it is used in Crime Scene Investigations we had to study many specific sciences such as Blood Spatter Analysis, Trajectory of a Bullet, Blood Typing, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Pathology and DNA Analysis. The crime scene, and partner number that I was assigned only included: Blood Typing, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Pathology, and Casting Evidence. All of these specific sciences played an important role in helping me convict the guilty convict. Blood typing was vital. It played a large role in helping to figure out whose blood was on the FJ Cruiser. Even though the results were inconclusive, it was able to tell us the blood type of the individual's blood on the FJ Cruiser, unfortunately both the suspect and the victim had the same blood type.
Forensic Entomology is the process of using hemiptera to determine the time of death. In my crime scene group We were able to study fly larvae that were found at the scene of the crime and the average temperature for the past days that could’ve helped their development. My group first measured the fly larvae to find out if it was 1st instar, 2nd instar, or 3rd instar. This helped us to find at which state the fly larvae is developed. We then took the average of our temperatures. Our fly larvae that was found at the scene of the crime was at its 2nd instar and our average temperature was approximately 22 degrees Celsius. Then, my group and I compared the larvae development and average temperatures to a chart. We then criss-crossed the paths of the two to find the approximate time the body had been dead before the figure was discovered. We found the approximate time to be 42 hours. Since the body was found at approximately 8:25 am on Monday, September 22nd, this put the time of death to occur at approximately 2:25 pm on Saturday, September 20th.
A Forensic Pathologist, or medical examiners are specially trained physicians whose main purpose is to examine the bodies of individuals who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently. The forensic pathologist is responsible for determining the ultimate and immediate reasons for the cessation of life. This helped us in figuring out how our victim died, providing reconstructive evidence.
Casting Evidence is basically Impression Evidence. It is a mixture used to imprint indentations at the scene of the crime. This helps us gather associative and reconstructive evidence. At the crime scene we found three different indentations of footprints. Casting evidence was especially important in the investigation of our crime because it helped to provide a link between the crime scene and two of our suspects, along with the victim.
All of these specific sciences are very important to the foundation of Forensic Science, especially that used in Crime Scene Investigations.
This project was very interesting and eye-opening to me. Before I had no idea how much impact Forensic Science and DNA have had on our justice system. The specific Forensic Science that was most interesting to me probably had to be Forensic Entomology. The studying of Hemiptera to determine the time of death greatly intrigued me. I found it so fascinating that from one little fly larvae examined you can unearth many different answers. Conducting the experiment and finding our victim's time of death was one of the highlights for the project for me.
This project was definitely challenging, however I do feel that I did well on the Evidence Reports. Over the summer I had been working on my research writing skills and I definitively think I used those in my writing for the evidence reports. I think I did good research on the topics I was studying and was able to effectively put those notes into my writing. I felt I could've done a bit better on the organization, but though I did relatively well overall.
Something that I could've done better is my time management. I have been working on not being a procrastinator, but a lot of times I leave work until the last minute. This is a major problem of mine and it affected me in this project. Even though I felt I did well on the Evidence Reports, I spent a lot of time the night before refining and re-typing them. This caused me to reduce my sleep hours and to be not prepared for the next day. I am definitely going to work on my time management in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this project, it brought new perspectives, connections, and stories. I learned so much throughout the process of this project and hope to accomplish more like it soon.
In order to fully understand the process of Forensic Science and how it is used in Crime Scene Investigations we had to study many specific sciences such as Blood Spatter Analysis, Trajectory of a Bullet, Blood Typing, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Pathology and DNA Analysis. The crime scene, and partner number that I was assigned only included: Blood Typing, Forensic Entomology, Forensic Pathology, and Casting Evidence. All of these specific sciences played an important role in helping me convict the guilty convict. Blood typing was vital. It played a large role in helping to figure out whose blood was on the FJ Cruiser. Even though the results were inconclusive, it was able to tell us the blood type of the individual's blood on the FJ Cruiser, unfortunately both the suspect and the victim had the same blood type.
Forensic Entomology is the process of using hemiptera to determine the time of death. In my crime scene group We were able to study fly larvae that were found at the scene of the crime and the average temperature for the past days that could’ve helped their development. My group first measured the fly larvae to find out if it was 1st instar, 2nd instar, or 3rd instar. This helped us to find at which state the fly larvae is developed. We then took the average of our temperatures. Our fly larvae that was found at the scene of the crime was at its 2nd instar and our average temperature was approximately 22 degrees Celsius. Then, my group and I compared the larvae development and average temperatures to a chart. We then criss-crossed the paths of the two to find the approximate time the body had been dead before the figure was discovered. We found the approximate time to be 42 hours. Since the body was found at approximately 8:25 am on Monday, September 22nd, this put the time of death to occur at approximately 2:25 pm on Saturday, September 20th.
A Forensic Pathologist, or medical examiners are specially trained physicians whose main purpose is to examine the bodies of individuals who died suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently. The forensic pathologist is responsible for determining the ultimate and immediate reasons for the cessation of life. This helped us in figuring out how our victim died, providing reconstructive evidence.
Casting Evidence is basically Impression Evidence. It is a mixture used to imprint indentations at the scene of the crime. This helps us gather associative and reconstructive evidence. At the crime scene we found three different indentations of footprints. Casting evidence was especially important in the investigation of our crime because it helped to provide a link between the crime scene and two of our suspects, along with the victim.
All of these specific sciences are very important to the foundation of Forensic Science, especially that used in Crime Scene Investigations.
This project was very interesting and eye-opening to me. Before I had no idea how much impact Forensic Science and DNA have had on our justice system. The specific Forensic Science that was most interesting to me probably had to be Forensic Entomology. The studying of Hemiptera to determine the time of death greatly intrigued me. I found it so fascinating that from one little fly larvae examined you can unearth many different answers. Conducting the experiment and finding our victim's time of death was one of the highlights for the project for me.
This project was definitely challenging, however I do feel that I did well on the Evidence Reports. Over the summer I had been working on my research writing skills and I definitively think I used those in my writing for the evidence reports. I think I did good research on the topics I was studying and was able to effectively put those notes into my writing. I felt I could've done a bit better on the organization, but though I did relatively well overall.
Something that I could've done better is my time management. I have been working on not being a procrastinator, but a lot of times I leave work until the last minute. This is a major problem of mine and it affected me in this project. Even though I felt I did well on the Evidence Reports, I spent a lot of time the night before refining and re-typing them. This caused me to reduce my sleep hours and to be not prepared for the next day. I am definitely going to work on my time management in the future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this project, it brought new perspectives, connections, and stories. I learned so much throughout the process of this project and hope to accomplish more like it soon.
Evidence Reports