| Abstract Detail
MSA - Ecology/Pathology Brady, Susan [1], Arlt, John [2], Carolan, Lana [2], Quitadamo, Ian [1], Johnson, James E. [1]. Yakima WATERS: Students Investigating a Pathogenic Water Mold. Yakima WATERS is a National Science Foundation sponsored, regional program designed to promote integration of interdisciplinary science research into K-12 public school classrooms. Each WATERS team includes a Central Washington University graduate student fellow, a faculty mentor, and a local K-12 teacher. The goal of this collaboration is to encourage the incorporation of relevant watershed-based research into the science classroom. The WATERS team at Ellensburg High School has implemented immersive, research-focused field trips and inquiry-based classroom activities and labs that emphasize topics related to amphibian declines. Amphibian populations throughout the world are declining and disease has been identified as an important contributing factor. A number of fungi and fungus-like organisms including the water molds, particularly in the genus Saprolegnia, have been implicated in causing amphibian disease and mass mortality events. Using this background knowledge, 10th grade biology students conducted student lead research projects investigating the biology of water molds. Students were encouraged to ask their own questions and follow the scientific method. Each student research team developed hypotheses and designed their own experiments. Students investigated a variety of topics including: the effects of different isolation conditions on the recovery of water mold biodiversity; growth rates with respect to different environmental conditions such as nutrient type and concentration, temperatures, and pH; tropisms in response to different food sources; and factors influencing chemotaxis and electrotaxis of zoospores. Students collected and analyzed data, drew appropriate conclusions based on their data, and evaluated their findings in the broader context of amphibian decline.
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1 - Central Washington University, Department of Biological Sciences, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg, WA, 98926, USA
2 - Ellensburg High School, 1203 East Capitol Avenue, Ellensburg, WA, 98926, USA
Keywords:
education
K-12
Saprolegnia
Amphibian decline.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P2
Location: Event Tent/Cliff Lodge
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: P2EP054
Abstract ID:886 |
