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Irrigation or Evaporation?
Jacob, Grade 7
Jacob compared the rate of evaporation in the lake near his Florida home to the amount of lake water used by homeowners for irrigation. Although his findings were inconclusive, Jacob now discounts irrigation as the main cause of dramatic drops in lake water levels.
“My family lives in a nice house on Lake Catherine. . . . Every so often—like after a hurricane—it goes up a great deal, but then quickly drops again! Now the lake is very low and every dock is three or more feet out of the water.”
River Crossings: Effects on Wildlife in and around the Fort River
Annie, Grade 7
Annie wondered whether the many water crossings in her town posed barriers to local wildlife. Using the Massachusetts River and Stream Crossing Standards, Annie proved that most of her town’s crossings inhibit wildlife and fail to meet the state’s standards.
“The most challenging part of my fieldwork was measuring the dimensions of the crossings, which were often long and difficult to reach. The most enjoyable part was going into the river, feeling its energy and seeing the life forms in and around it.”
Nesting Preferences of the
Alfalfa Leaf-cutting Bee
Russell, Grade 8
A beekeeper, Russell came upon information about solitary bees that led him to wonder about their nesting habits. After doing background research and talking to bee experts, he decided to conduct an experiment to determine where solitary bees prefer to nest.
“I can’t believe it! Solitary bees have already started nesting in the wooden blocks. Fifty-one holes have been filled. I can tell because there are tiny cut-up pieces of leaves in the holes. I think the bees are making a place to put their larvae.”
Investigating the Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Aquatic Organisms
Eric, Grade 8
Eric tested concentrations of silver nanoparticles, used in commercial products, on four aquatic organisms. He saw that, while some died from the exposure, silver nanoparticles promoted growth in others, but, at higher concentrations, prevented reproduction.
“An ever greater quantity of silver nanoparticles is finding its way into wastewater and eventually our rivers and streams, where little is known about the possible adverse effects on aquatic organisms.”
A Study of the Filtration Capabilities
of the Eastern Oyster (Crassotrea virginica) and Soft-shell Clam
(Mya arenaria)
Alexandra, Grade 9
Eastern oysters (Crassotrea virginica) were once so plentiful they could filter the entire Chesapeake Bay in three to four days. Alexandra wondered if other species, like the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria), could filter water as well or better. She found both species equally improved the water.
“My research indicated that M. arenaria is a plentiful species, so I expected that locating twelve specimens would be a simple task. Sadly I was mistaken. . . . My exposure to the profound decline of this species strengthened my resolve to improve bay water quality.”
Colors Within: A Study of the Pigmentations in Deciduous and Broadleaf Evergreens
Megan, Grade 9
Surprised by the many trees in her new home state of Texas that did not change color, Megan discovered, through experimentation, that broadleaf evergreens showed a higher intensity of the same pigments found in deciduous trees, even though the pigments were not outwardly visible.
“The trees are preparing for a whole new season of life to begin. The change of colors during this magical season is more than a beautiful landscape, for it’s the colors within that provide the food for life itself.”
Birds of a Feather Feed Together
Sarah, Grade 10
Intrigued by the birds of western Albemarle County, Virginia, Sarah experimented to find a seed mixture that would induce multiple visits, and provide maximum variety with minimal waste.
“The housing development that I live in is close to a wooded area, but other houses surround my home and my yard does not have any mature trees. . . . Although a diverse number of species visited the feeders, I wonder if my data would have been altered or affected if other species had come.”
Grasshoppers in the Rockies:
Surmounting Alpine Challenges
Michelle, Grade 10
Before a field trip to the Canadian Rockies as part of a summer course, Michelle learned that grasshoppers were abundant in the chilly alpine meadows. She wondered what adaptations would allow them to live in this severe environment.
“Even in August, at 1,980 meters, it snowed as I bushwhacked up the mountain through a dense fog to a subalpine site. But as soon as the sleet stopped, the grasshoppers began hopping.”
Gestural Communication by a Group
of Western Lowland Gorillas
Jennifer, Grade 11
At the Congo Gorilla Forest exhibit at the Bronx Zoo in New York, Jennifer studied the auditory, tactile, visual, and olfactory signals of 11 gorillas. She documented a repertoire of 44 distinct gestures, two of which have not been seen in any other group.
“As I walk past the window, I hear a loud bang coming from my right. I turn, and see a small gorilla pressed against the window looking at me. I hear a few more bangs, and see that three more gorillas have come to the window, eagerly looking to see who has come to visit them.”
Juvenile Blue Crab Cannibalism
Lauren, Grade 11
Focused on helping rejuvenate the blue crab population, a species vital to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, Lauren tested whether cannibalism in juvenile blue crabs increases with population density. Her results proved her hypothesis.
“No longer on field trips do we focus on the great aspects of the largest estuary in the world. Instead, we convey a message to our children that this bay is sick and dirty and nearly beyond help.”
Providing Habitat for Threatened Drymarchon corais couperi Utilizing Simulated Gopherus polyphemus Burrows
David, Grade 12
Eastern indigo snakes inhabit gopher tortoise burrows, an option on the decline. David’s experiment showed that, over time, simulated burrows closely aligned to natural burrows were able to provide an alternative habitat for multiple species.
“After hearing of the decline of the indigo snake, I visited Bok Tower, a local nature conservatory in Lake Wales, Florida, that has about twelve indigo snakes on the property. The director of horticulture, David Price, suggested the idea of a ‘snake box.’ I was hooked.”
Resilience of a Red Sea Fringing Coral Reef under Extreme Environmental Conditions:
A Four-Year Study
Zaki, Grade 12
While diving in the Red Sea, Zaki made an amazing discovery: a fringing coral reef just offshore. He worked to identify the species living there, determine the reef’s health, catalog natural and human influences, determine water-quality characteristics, and share his results with the scientific community.
“I sat gazing out at the Red Sea’s distinct and beautiful waters, majestic mountains jutting upwards from the desert landscape behind me. Little did I know that very day would give a higher sense of meaning and accomplishment to the next four years of my life.”
Anthropogenic Radionuclides in the Estuarine Environment near a Boiling Water Nuclear Reactor
Anastasia, Grade 12
Anastasia checked for anthropogenic radionuclides (radioactivity) in water, sediment, and marsh samples at 42 sites near a boiling water nuclear reactor near New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay and her results showed higher levels of radioactivity near the reactor.
“Many beautiful streams and creeks drain into the bay from the mainland, each with its own special character. The bay is home to an incredibly diverse wildlife population, and until recently, it had supported a thriving fishing industry.”
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