Can the extract from one invasive plant control the growth of others? Will algae produce an effective biofuel? These are some of the questions that 12 student scientists explored in the American Museum of Natural History’s 16th Annual Young Naturalist Awards, a nationwide science-based research competition for students in grades 7 through 12.
This year’s winners, including students from California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Tennessee, were recognized today at an awards ceremony and luncheon at the Museum and spent the day on behind-the-scenes tours at the Museum (pictured below).
Seventeen-year-old Sara Volz, a 2011 Young Naturalist Award winner from Colorado who is also a winner this year, continued her work into producing algae that might that might prove an efficient biofuel. Meanwhile, eighth-grader Julie Canady, from Lakeland, Florida, investigated whether extracts made from Lantana camara could reduce the growth of another locally invasive weed called Palmer's amaranth.
The Young Naturalist Awards is the only national science competition that focuses on the natural world and encourages research in Earth science, ecology, and biology, part of the Museum’s broader aim to focus on authentic science experiences that increase students’ participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The Young Naturalist Awards are proudly supported by Alcoa Foundation.