Project Title: The Growth Rate of Poa pratensis in Pure Humus and Pure Humus Mixed with Sand

Objectives/Goals

The experiment was done by comparing Kentucky blue grass, or Poa pratensis and measuring how it grew in pure humus, or potting soil and a mixture of pure humus and sand.

Methods/Materials

I used six plastic pots and filled half of them with pure humus. With the other three pots I added pure humus mixed with sand. I watered the grass every day. I observed the six pots in a period of seven weeks, and looked at the root size, the width, and the length of the grass.

Results

The grass did not sprout until the third week of the experiment. Until about the sixth week the pots with grass in pure humus was much taller and fuller than the other pots of grass. 

During the last week all of the grass in the pots with pure humus died, so by the end of the experiment the grass in the pots with the mixture of pure humus and sand had outgrown the other pots.

Conclusions/Discussion

The first six weeks of the experiment, the pots in the pure humus grew taller in size than the pots with the pure humus mixed with sand because the pure humus contained more certain types of important nutrients and moisture. 

The moisture in the soil helps the pure humus keep all of its water inside it, so the roots could absorb all of the water in the pots. Unlike pure humus, the water that goes into the pots with a mixture of pure humus and sand drains out of the pot much faster because of sands such large pores. 

Since the speed of the water is so quick, the soil and roots do not have enough time to absorb all of the water. Water that goes into the pots with pure humus travel very slowly because of the small pores, so since the water’s speed is so slow the roots and soil have more time to absorb all of the water in the pot. 

Therefore, the grass planted in pure humus get more water than the grass planted in the mixture of sand and soil, but because it rained during the sixth week too much water entered the pots causing them to flood. 

Then, because of its large pores the excess water was able to drain out of the pots with the mixture of soil and sand. With the pots with pure humus the pores were to small so all of the water stayed in the pots killing all of the grass.

Project Summary

The experiment is about the difference in growth of grass planted in two different types of soil, potting soil and potting soil mixed with sand.

Project by Daniela C. Abrams

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Project Title: Eagle Lake Appetizers

Objectives/Goals

The objective of this research project was to determine the December food habits of the Eagle Lake Trout in Eagle Lake located in Northeastern California.

Methods/Materials

A sample size of 50 Eagle Lake Trout stomachs were collected from licensed sport fishermen at the southern end of Eagle Lake during the month of December, 2004. The content of each stomach was analyzed in a laboratory setting and prey items were identified. Collection and analysis was authorized by Calif. Dept. of Fish and Game Lt. Warden Lisa Stone.

Results

In the 50 Eagle Lake Trout stomachs analyzed, leeches (30%) were the most frequent prey item identified. Also identified as prey items were: shrimp (26%), snails (26%), and Tui chubs (12%).

Conclusions/Discussion

Leeches (30%), shrimp (26%), and snails (26%) were concluded to be the three most frequent prey items selected by the Eagle Lake Trout during the month of December, 2004. 

Other items discovered in the Eagle Lake Trout stomachs analyzed included pieces of aquatic vegetation (tule, etc.) and plastic. A 10 cm by 20 cm piece of clear plastic was identified in the stomach contents of one sample. 

Below average lake level (- 4 ft.) in December of 2004 may have resulted in a lower shrimp prey frequency than has been discovered in the most previous food habit study completed in 1997. In order to manage this unique trout species, a thorough understanding of it's food habits and niche in the Eagle Lake aquatic ecosystem is of vital importance.

Project Summary

This research project explored the prey item frequency for the Eagle Lake Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss aquilarum) in Eagle Lake, Calif. in December of 2004.

Project by Mackenzie M. Bailey

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Fat Chance! Does Obesity Jeopardize Your Chance at Success?

Objectives/Goals

This research study attempts to identify the traits or qualities that people associate with persons who are obese. Research has shown that obese persons are wrongfully discriminated against because of their weight. 

Obesity is defined as a state of being #very fat or overweight. (Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, 1996). Approximately 34% of the adult and child population in the United States is obese. 

This is blamed primarily on the sedentary life style and poor eating habits of many Americans.

In a world of video games, television, and fast food restaurants, it is no wonder that obesity is a rising problem. Research has shown that once obese, persons are faced with bias and discrimination in the workplace, schools, basketball courts, and in other aspects of life. This in turn can lead to a life of loneliness, ridicule and social isolation.

 

Methods/Materials

Sixty-three male and female subjects were surveyed utilizing a three-paged survey. Subjects varied in age from 10 to greater than 60 years. Subjects were asked to complete a written survey which contained personal demographics and ascertained the participant’s opinion on the traits or qualities of the photos of persons on the survey. The persons pictured on the survey were both subjects who were obese and those who were not.

Results

Results of the survey reveal that people have strong biases against obese or overweight subjects. Subject’s overwhelmingly associated negative traits and qualities to obese persons pictured on the survey.

Not only did they associate negative traits, but they failed to associate positive traits or qualities to the obese persons pictured in the survey. These results support the hypothesis that if a person is obese, the obesity may jeopardize their chance for success in life.

Conclusions/Discussion

Obese persons were rated by survey participants to possess traits and qualities which are negative and likely to limit their chance at success. The study found that participants demonstrate a bias against persons who are obese. 

The obese were found to have negative physical traits, poor habits and behaviors, psychological handicaps, and poor quality of life and chances for success. Despite this extensive display of bias against the obese, subjects nonetheless chose the obese persons as the individual most likely to be their best friend.

Project Summary

More negative traits are associated with obese persons as compared to those who are not obese.

Project by Matthew W. Alexander

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Project Title: Radioactivity: The Effect of Shields on Beta Particles and Gamma Rays

Objectives/Goals

Shields block Beta particles and Gamma rays from reaching a point. Shields of greater density will have a greater effect on blocking the radioactivity.

Methods/Materials

I used a Geiger counter, Beta sample, Gamma sample, and 20 different shields. I set up the Geiger counter and read each source through the different shields. Each shield had a different thickness, mass, and was a different material. I conducted 5 trials on each shield, and then averaged the data.

Results

When Beta particles and Gamma rays were read through a shield with more mass, the reading was lower than if read through a shield of less mass. Also, Gamma rays were much more powerful than Beta particles.

Conclusions/Discussion

My results showed that my hypothesis was correct in that Beta particles and Gamma rays are blocked by shields. This effect varies with the density of the shield. However the readings varied with each trial, so the averaging of five or more times was called for. Averaging multiple trials enabled me to see a trend and draw conclusions from the data.

Project Summary

The effectiveness of various materials in blocking Beta particles and Gamma rays.

Cameron D. Alsbrook

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Project Title: Planet Planaria

Objectives/Goals

The question was whether caffeine increases or decreases the total growth of planaria during their regeneration period, than if they were to be in their usual pond water. The hypothesis was that caffeine would decrease the total growth of the planaria, because it is a harmful drug.

Methods/Materials

To test this, 20 planaria were cut in half, and 20 of the halves were left to regenerate in their usual pond water. The other 20 were placed to regenerate in caffeine water. 

40 plastic cups, 1 metric measuring cup, 20 freshwater planaria, 1 100mG caffeine pill, 2000 mL of pond water, 1 permanent marker, 1 disposable plastic dropper, 1 small utility knife, 20 petry dishes, 7 icepacks, and 1 metric ruler were the materials used to test my question.

Results

After 12 days of observing the planaria and recording their growth, the results showed that the untreated planaria had an average growth of 0.7mm, while the caffeine treated ones had an average growth of only 0.5mm. 

The results pertain to the objective because they show that planaria grow better in their usual pond water. The results also show that caffeine is harmful to planaria.

Conclusions/Discussion

The results did prove the hypothesis correct. I was able to attain my objective of observing what type of effect caffeine has on the growth of planaria. 

This experiment helps people learn more about Animal Biology because it tells us that what is stimulating to humans may not have the same effect on animals. Also, it gives us more information on how animals adapt to new environments.

Project Summary

The project's central focus was to see whether caffeine does or does not have a stimulating effect on the regenerational growth of planaria.

Project by Ariba S. Aboobakar

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