Rachel Toxic Algae: Threat to Florida Waters? Grade: 7, Age: 13, Florida

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I was inspired to research and write about my topic when I saw the Orlando Sentinel's front-page news: It was an article about "killer" algae. We live on a lake in downtown Orlando, so that article scared me. I read about the effects that toxic algae can have on people, and I wanted to investigate further.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Yes. Recently, I read an article in The Wall Street Journal about how different fats affect your body in different ways. I think that would be an interesting project to research.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

Many people in Florida use chemicals to kill insects and weeds. They spray their yards and houses. Many cities have trucks that spray for mosquitoes. I think this is a very pressing issue because we do not know many of the negative effects of killing pests. How do these strong chemicals affect our bodies? Are we killing other animals or even ourselves in this process? How are these chemicals affecting the ecosystem?

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

Young scientists should question everything. Even what you think may be a trivial problem could lead you to an exciting investigation. Many students think that science is just full of textbooks and tests. However, they are wrong. When you think outside of the box, it can be exciting!

back to top
	Ryan An Analysis of Mockingbird Nesting Behavior in Residential Areas Grade: 7, Age:12, Texas

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I got the inspiration for my essay from seeing the many mockingbirds in my yard and wondering how they had adapted to living in this area.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

I have many plans for future investigations, including possibly studying the effects of global warming in Alaska.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

I think the most pressing scientific question of our generation is how global warming will affect our future, and how can we prevent it.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

My advice to other young scientists would be to discover what you are passionate about and pursue it in your studies.

back to top
	Kendra Waterworks: A Purification Process Grade: 8, Age: 14, Texas

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

In 2004 Hurricane Jeanne plowed through Haiti, leaving behind a devastating mess. Worst of all, the water supply was contaminated. After reading in the newspaper about how many Haitians got sick and even died after drinking contaminated water, I wondered if there could be a simple solution to this problem.

So, I set about researching the causes of contaminated water and how to go about purifying it. In the end, I used E. coli and coliform bacteria as indicators of contamination and the sun's ultraviolet rays (UV) as a water purifier.

When there wasn't total elimination of coliform bacteria in my water sample, I took the whole project a step further. I added food-grade hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to the bacteria-elimination process. I wanted to make sure any water purifiers were cheap, safe, and easy to find.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Of course, I plan to enter the yearly science fair. It is something I plan to do all through high school. I haven't come up with a topic for this year's project, but I have a few ideas.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

Clean water!

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

Ask questions. Investigate. Enter your local science fair. And most importantly, have fun with your project!

back to top
	Kyle A Study of Claridy Creek: Water Pollution and the Effects of Phytoremediation on Contaminants Grade: 8, Age: 14, Oklahoma

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I have driven by the old Sunray Refinery every day since I started kindergarten. I began to wonder, were any petroleum products or chemicals seeping into Claridy Creek behind the refinery, and contaminating the environment? I've seen kids fishing in the creek behind the refinery, and wondered if the creek and the fish were polluted with chemicals. After doing further research, I decided to start my investigation by testing the water in Claridy Creek.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

The Sunray Refinery puts many different chemicals into the surrounding soil and water. I am studying the effects of these pollutants on the environment around the refinery. I am planning to investigate ways in which phytoremediation can be used to clean up some of these pollutants.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

I believe that the pollution of our environment is the most pressing issue for my generation and generations to come. We have a limited number of ecosystems, and if we keep destroying these ecosystems, we will have no more.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

Research. If you don't understand something or need more information on a subject, try looking in books, magazines, or the Internet. You may also need an advisor to help you with your experiments if you don't already have one. Try to take notes when your advisor or anyone else is giving you information you may need to continue with your science project.

back to top
	Max Lead Levels in Residential Soil in Proximity to a Superhighway Grade: 9, Age:14, New York

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your scientific expedition and essay?

As an avid outdoor enthusiast, I have always had an appreciation for the need to maintain the health of our environment. My interest in studying the impact of lead contamination on the local environment began when my baby sister had to have her blood levels tested for toxic lead as part of her routine medical checkup. Since my home is not far from a superhighway, I wondered whether there might be elevated levels of lead in the soil, from automobile exhaust.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

I look forward to continuing my scientific research and would like to assess whether there is a clinical correlation between elevated lead levels in children who live in close proximity to a superhighway. In the future, I hope to pursue a career combining environmental research and the creation of public policies that will help to preserve and protect our environment for future generations.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

Global warming and the need to find alternative clean-energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels are some of the most important issues that will have an impact on my generation.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

The inspiration for my research—my younger sister and my love of the environment—enabled me to enjoy every aspect of the investigation. My advice to others would be to strive to work on a project that has an element of personal relevance. Young scientists should also try to work on projects that have potential meaning to the population at large.

back to top
	Jeffrey Investigation of Water and Soil Quality Upstream and Downstream in a Pond Environment Grade: 9, Age: 14, New Jersey

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I picked my project based on my own personal interest in water and soil quality. At the time I wanted to explore a location that was close to home, and I decided that the pond environment was the best place to start.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

I plan to continue my project by revisiting the pond environment, as my hypothesis was inconclusive. I also want to learn more about astronomy and the universe since that is a topic that has interested me since childhood.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

I believe that the most important scientific issues of the 21st century are the exhaustion of fossil fuels and global warming. The world must invest more in alternative and renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. If we do not curtail our dependence on oil, Earth's remaining fossil fuels will likely be depleted by the next century. This will cause havoc and affect billions of people across the globe.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

My advice to young scientists is to find something you are truly interested in and then let your curiosity and imagination take over. Do careful research and make sure your sources are credible. Also, take your time when choosing a topic. Everything you do is based on your initial hypothesis, so make sure it is exactly as you want it to be. Lastly, have a goal in mind and work hard to accomplish it.

back to top
	Anastasia Human Factor III: The Impact of a Boiling Water Nuclear Reactor Grade: 10, Age: 16, Pennsylvania

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

When I was younger, I took marine biology classes in New Jersey and became fascinated with Barnegat Bay. I wanted to learn more about it and began to study different aspects of the bay. Last summer I learned that the oldest operating nuclear reactor in the country was located along the bay. I visited it and saw how much the waterways surrounding the reactor appeared to have been changed, and I decided to study those changes. My essay describes my study of the surface waters around the reactor.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Yes. This year I am conducting a study of the plankton, benthic, and biofouling communities in the reactor's intake and discharge creeks.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

I think global warming is the most pressing question, because it has potentially devastating impacts on future generations.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

Find something that really interests you so you will enjoy the hard work that is involved in a good project. If you dislike your project, it will be much harder to put in the hours required for a good project. Also, plan ahead. Try to anticipate everything you will need and have it before you begin. If possible, do a practice run of your project. This will help you see any corrections or adjustments that need to be made to your plan.

back to top
	Alexandra The Work Habits of the North American Beaver Grade: 10, Age: 16, Virginia

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I live on a farm with the beaver I wrote my essay about, and I had heard family members and other visitors comment on the beaver's massive dam and intense work ethic. This made me curious about why the beaver would go to all that effort, and if human interaction would change his patterns.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

At the moment I have many ideas as to other possible experiments and research investigations, but I would like my next experiment to be conducted it in a more controlled environment. Therefore, I will probably be looking into health-related lab research.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

I think the most pressing scientific question of my generation deals with the important question of life and how we can preserve and protect it from diseases like cancer that not only harm us physically but emotionally. These threats to human life will one day be stopped through an understanding of not only the effects and symptoms, but also the scientific explanation and structure of these diseases.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

The most important thing other young scientists must keep in mind is not to second-guess. Although you might change your mind, you should always feel strongly about your decision and remember your original purpose.

back to top
	Caroline Tillandsia usneoides: An Indicator to Air Pollution Grade: 11, Age: 17, Texas

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your scientific expedition and essay?

I got the inspiration for my science expedition after talking to a neighbor about the many changes in Houston. She said there used to be an abundance of Spanish moss on the trees in her yard, but it rapidly disappeared about 10 years ago. I knew that there must be some explanation for this, and I constructed an experiment to find the answer.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Yes, I have plans for further scientific investigations. Although I will not be researching the environment's impact on Spanish moss, I am still interesting in researching ways to help preserve the environment.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

The most pressing scientific question of our generation is how to preserve the pristine areas in nature and restore the damaged areas while coping with an ever-growing need for more space for mankind.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

There are questions everywhere just waiting to be answered. If you are intrigued by a topic, go for it.

back to top
	Anna Environmental Engineering of Pogonomyrmex Harvester Ant Mounds Grade: 11, Age: 16, New Mexico

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

Since before I can remember, family activities in my household have been integrated with experiencing nature through backpacking, hiking, and mountain climbing. This gave me a profound respect and love for nature that has led me to investigate numerous biological niches surrounding my house. My investigations of the Pogonomyrmex harvester ant came about through awe and curiosity at the beauty of their quartz-covered mounds and the potential that these small ants could hold the key to creating more environmentally friendly habitats for humans in the future.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Last summer I went backpacking in Chicago Basin near Durango, Colorado, and observed a population explosion of mountain goats, which were introduced to this particular basin a few years back by the Fish and Game Department. I had viewed these amazing creatures on a couple of prior occasions while climbing in Colorado and had grown to greatly admire their phenomenal climbing ability and survival skills in a harsh biome. However, I considered a group of three mountain goats in one climbing excursion to be a huge hit and an extremely unique climbing experience. In Chicago Basin, everywhere I turned there were mountain goats. I would love to go back there and investigate why the mountain goat population has thrived in this particular habitat, delve further into their lifestyle, and capture on camera some of their breathtaking climbing stunts.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

There are multitudes of pressing scientific questions my generation will have to face, almost all spawning from the negative impact humans have had on the environment. The oil supplies that are drying up worldwide will eventually force us to find an alternative energy source; however, it is crucial that we do this sooner rather than later, because our current form of energy is causing the catastrophic effect of global warming. Also, I hope my generation will take on the task of educating people that the environment and the creatures in it are not here as tools for man to use to survive, but beautiful in their own right. They should be preserved for nature's sake, because they are the unique and phenomenal treasure our planet has produced.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

Do something you are really interested in and will have fun doing. You will be amazed at how much better your project will be if you do something that you enjoy. Also, you do not need to live in an exotic place to find something interesting and worthwhile to study. Look first to your own backyard and never overlook a possible subject because it is too small. Sometimes the smallest creatures can hold the most interesting and important keys to life.

back to top
	Megan Ozone Pollution and White Pines: Phase II Grade: 12, Age 18, Massachusetts

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

I had a 45-minute commute to my high school, Falmouth Academy, every day, so I spent an inordinate amount of time staring out the car window at the passing trees. As I noticed the burnt and mottled appearance of the roadside trees, I became curious and started researching what was happening to them. Eventually, I figured out that the trees were burned due to the salt used on the roads. However, during this research I stumbled upon an investigation into the effects of ozone pollution on jack and ponderosa pines in the western United States. Using some of the tactics those scientists had devised, as well as some I made to fit the characteristics of white pines (a conifer prevalent in New England), I began to measure the amount of damage done to these trees by ozone pollution.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

I'm entering college this fall and have therefore set aside my research on ozone pollution and white pines for now. I plan to pursue a degree in environmental science and public policy at Harvard University this coming year. My interest in science has led me to discover how our world is being damaged by pollution, our increasing population, and our rapid development of open space. I hope to become a conservation lawyer to help make laws that will protect the environment.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

Personally, I think global warming is the biggest problem our generation is facing. The unimaginable ramifications and irreversible nature of global warming are compounded by the fact that some members of the current administration refuse to admit it is even an issue. Global warming is only going to increase in magnitude, and by the time everyone realizes that it is a huge problem, it will be too late to prevent it. I think steps need to be taken now to reduce pollutants, increase energy efficiency, and reduce the amount of fossil fuels we are using each year.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

I was hesitant to begin any sort of scientific research because science had never previously appealed to me; I had always loved humanities. However, as I became more and more interested in the problem I was researching, I found that curiosity was key. Researching something I am interested in is the only way I make progress, because I become excited about my findings and want to learn more. If you are pursuing a topic that you are passionate about, it no longer feels like work, or something school assigned you.

back to top
	Justin The Effect of Hatchery Cell Size on Growth of Juvenile Blue Crabs, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun Grade: 12, Age: 18, Maryland

1. Where did you get the inspiration for your expedition and essay?

Upon entering Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, I also enrolled in the Ingenuity Project, an especially rigorous program focused on research. The Ingenuity Project requires a short-term, one-year research project in the freshman year and then a long-term, two-year research project afterwards. For my freshman year I designed an experiment studying the effects of a waste-treatment plant on the water quality of Back River. I wrote a paper for this project for my research class. When my teacher read it, she informed me of the Young Naturalist Awards and encouraged me to enter my paper. I was ecstatic to find that I was a finalist! I had developed a passion for marine biology and also a drive to win the Young Naturalist Awards.

The summer of 2003, I attended a one-week student lab program at the University of Maryland Center of Marine Biotechnology. One of the experiments in this program was a simple heart-rate experiment on blue crabs. I got to do hands-on work with the crabs, and I found it to be both unique and enjoyable. I enjoyed the experience so much that when I was searching for a lab in which I could do my long-term research, the Center of Marine Biotechnology (COMB) was my top choice. I contacted a professor at COMB, and he led me to Prof. Allen R. Place, who enthusiastically welcomed me into his lab. I had already told him that I wanted to work with blue crabs, so he gave me a list of information that needed to be discovered. This list was made by the Blue Crab Advanced Research Consortium (BCARC) as a sort of guideline for developing and optimizing the first-ever blue crab hatchery system. One of the pieces of information that was of interest to me was the effect of the area and depth of the cage on the blue crab, because of the fundamental importance of this information to the efforts of the BCARC. Therefore, I designed and completed a two-year research project on this topic. Once I completed the project, I wrote a research paper about my findings that I could submit both to my peers and to the Young Naturalist Awards.

2. Do you have plans for any future scientific investigations?

Upon completion of the project my paper focuses on, the Center of Marine Biotechnology hired me to manage the blue crab hatchery by myself on weekends during the school year. For this summer, I was hired to do follow-up research for Prof. Allen Place and Prof. Sook Chung. I am currently trying to discover the reason for the high variability in size among sibling juvenile blue crabs. Because there doesn't seem to be a physiological influence causing the variation, it can now be hypothesized that there is a genetic reason. I am doing a comprehensive investigation that involves the study of blue crab growth hormones, the RNA that codes for the hormones, and the DNA that codes for the RNA. I hope this project will yield results that show some sort of correlation between genetics and crab size. Beyond this project, I intend to pursue some sort of research career through my studies at Johns Hopkins University.

3. What do you think is the most pressing scientific question of your generation?

Although I am a marine biologist, I would have to say that the most pressing scientific question of my generation is that of energy. As my generation ages, energy in the form of oil will become even scarcer and more expensive. My generation will have to work to discover other forms of energy that can be harnessed in greater amounts at a lower cost. Without a solution to the mounting energy problem, the world will soon find itself moving backwards in its technological capabilities.

4. What advice would you give other young scientists?

My advice to other young scientists would be the following: Let your passions guide you, and take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. If you follow your passions, you will find that you will both enjoy your experiences more and do better work. If you take advantage of your opportunities, you will find yourself in a better position to follow your passion.

back to top