Grades 9-12
Article
Superabsorbant Hydrogels: A Study of the Most Effective Application of Cross-linked Polyacrylamide Polymers
Superabsorbent hydrogels are used quite effectively in diapers and contact lenses. Can their properties be used to help conserve water by retaining moisture in soil? See what this young naturalist discovered.
Article
Native Chesapeake Bay Grasses: A Solution to Nutrient Pollution?
Can grasses that are native to the Chesapeake Bay reduce nitrate and nitrate concentrations? See what this Maryland young naturalist learned by growing the grasses in a simulated environment.
Article
An Analysis of the Microbial Community Associated with the Mucus of Ringed Coral (Montipora patula)
A recent snorkeling visit to a favorite childhood beach raised this young naturalist’s concerns about degradation of marine ecosystems, particularly coral health decline. Find out what she learned from her research into coral mucus.
Article
The Effectiveness of Botanical Extracts as Repellents Against Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes
Beyond the nuisance factor, mosquitoes can pose real threats to human health. This young naturalist set out to test the effectiveness of four different plants in repelling the insects.
Article
Facial Expression and its Relationship to Gesture in Western Lowland Gorillas
Nonverbal communication plays an important role in primates’ social interactions. This young naturalists set out to study how gorillas pair facial expressions and gestures to communicate.
Article
Effects of Herbicide Application Following Mechanical Site Preparation on Long-term Forest Development: An Experiment with Picea glauca
Seeing the forests around him exploited for commercial use prompted this young naturalist to student the long-term effects of herbicides in reforestation.
Article
Birds of a Feather Feed Together
We humans certainly have feeding preferences, but what about birds? This young naturalist decided to use feeding preferences as a way to investigate the native bird species in her area.
Article
Anthropogenic Radionuclides in the Estuarine Environment Near a Boiling Water Nuclear Reactor
Jersey’s Barnegat Bay has inspired years of research for this young naturalist. Find out what she discovered when she set out to study the levels of radionuclides near a nuclear reactor.
Article
The Toads of Delaware County
The discovery of a huge toad set this young naturalist on a path to investigate these amphibians and their life cycle. See what he learned about the Eastern American toad.
Article
An Analysis of Water Quality on the Severn River Over Two Years
The Chesapeake Bay has been around for eons, so why now does a little rain present a major problem to the bay’s health? Find out what this young naturalist discovered when she set out to answer that question.
