2008 Winning Essays
Thirteen winning essays from the 2008 contest year of the Young Naturalist Awards by students from grade 7 - 12. Winning essays ranged from an investigation into the health of Chesapeake Bay to grasshopper adaptations in sub-alpine regions of the Rockies to a study of solitary bee nesting preferences.
Article
River Crossings: Effects on Wildlife in and Around the Fort River
What makes a good river crossing — for wildlife, not just people? This young naturalist evaluated the bridges, culverts, and open-bottom arches near her town.
Article
Irrigation or Evaporation?
This young naturalist set out to determine if irrigation or evaporation played a bigger role in dropping water levels in his neighborhood lake.
Article
Nesting Preferences of the Alfalfa Leaf-cutting Bee
Did you know there are species of bees that lives alone, not together with a hive? Find out more about solitary bees from this young naturalist's research.
Article
Investigating the Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Aquatic Organisms
Because of its antibacterial and antiviral qualities, silver is being added to an increasing number of household products. But how is this affecting aquatic organisms and their ecosystems?
Article
Filtration Capabilities of The Eastern Oyster and Soft-Shell Clam
Article for grades 6 through 12 This young naturalist looked to oyster restoration projects, which have gained popularity in recent years as a means of improving water quality, for her investigation.
Article
Colors Within: A Study of the Pigmentations in Deciduous and Broadleaf Evergreens
The glorious reds, yellows, and oranges we see in fall leaves are there all along — find out why we don’t see them the rest of the year from this young naturalist.
Article
Grasshoppers in the Rockies: Surmounting Alpine Challenges
How do grasshoppers, who don’t have a winter wardrobe, cope with cold weather? That’s the question that launched this young naturalist’s investigation.
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
Gestural Communication by a Group of Western Lowland Gorillas
This young naturalist studied lowland gorillas at the Bronx Zoo, whose ages ranged from 1 to 27 years. See what she discovered about how they use gestures to communicate.
Article
Juvenile Blue Crab Cannibalism
Habitat destruction and overfishing aren’t the only obstacles faced in trying to increase the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population. Investigate the destructive role cannibalism plays in captive habitats.
