 ---- |
---- |
| ---- |
---- |
 |
being held at the Washington Convention Center there will be a special, invitation-only poster session for high school-aged students in the Earth and space sciences. MSSD
Students have received an invitation to present.
|
Several science programs in the Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA region allow promising high school students to conduct research on topics related to the Earth and space sciences. This session will highlight the recent research results of these student projects associated with, among others, the Richmond Area Higher Education Consortium (AHEC), Earth System Science classes at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Carnegie Institution CASE programs.
Students in Senior Team Science classes are preparing two presentations:
Spring
Budburst Study
Spring Tree Leaf Reflectance Study
Wish
us luck!
|
Block 1 SOAR-High2 Earth System Science class Spring Budburst Study |
|
Title: A Budburst Phenology Study : Relating Climate Conditions with the Timing of Budburst
Authors: Mary Ellsworth, Tina Artero, Krzysztof Bramski, Les Gethers, Ebony Gooden, Trey Jetter, Nicole Rich
Affiliation: First Period
Earth System Science Class
Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Washington, D.C.
Science Advisor: Dr. David Snyder, Chemistry and Physics Department, Gallaudet University
Session: 1818 ED05 Looking to Tomorrow: Research Projects of High School-Aged Geoscientists
Abstract: Problem: Students at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf are observing budburst on two tree species near the school GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) Atmosphere Study Site. Understanding that budburst is an example of a phenological cycle, the students investigated the timing of budburst and how it is influenced by temperature or moisture. Students are observing when budburst occurs on selected native trees which are not watered or fertilized.
Hypothesis: Since budburst can be used to examine regional and global vegetation patterns, the students will compare their data with two other schools, one in Indiana and one in California. The students hypothesized that different trees will have budburst all at the same time, if they are all in the same environment (temperatures and precipitation).
Procedure: Students are using the degree summation and estimated evapotranspiration techniques correlated with bud burst observation logs kept during the spring of 2002. (GLOBE Budburst Protocol).
MSSD Budburst web site: (a work in progress) http://sci.gallaudet.edu/Mary/budburst/budburstB1.html
 |
Blocks 2 & 4 SOAR-High Earth System Science class Spring Tree Leaf Reflectance Study |
 |
Title: A Study of Reflectance Spectra of Deciduous Tree Leaves with an attempt to Correlate Environmental Factors of Temperature and Precipitation
Authors:
Mary Ellsworth, Ashley Dowling, Rochella Johnson, Caitlin Lewis
Affiliation:
Fourth Period Earth System Science Class
Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Washington, D.C.
Science Advisor: Dr. David Snyder, Chemistry and Physics Department, Gallaudet University
Session: 1826 ED05 Looking to Tomorrow: Research Projects of High School-Aged Geoscientists
Abstract: Problem: Students at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf are investigating if there is any variation in leaf reflectance spectra that correlates with environmental factors. Past student investigations have indicated differences in the reflectance spectra of fresh, aged and dead leaves (MSSD student ESS investigations 2000 and 2001). Would there be a change in leaf reflectance spectra in response to temperature or moisture variations? We became interested in this question through questions about how much could be determined from satellite measurements about the relative health of forest vegetation.
Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the leaves may respond to precipitation differences (or drought) but probably will not respond spectrally to the temperature range normally encountered during the spring time in Washington, D.C..
Procedure: The ALTA spectrometer
will be used to detect the reflectance spectra of living tree/bush leaves
at regular intervals during the spring. Daily temperature and precipitation
data will be collected at the school GLOBE weather station.
 |
Resources:
Leaf Spectrum Characteristics
http://snrs.unl.edu/agmet/908/deciduousleaffig.htm