Page 7 - The Edge Issue 8

One Test Tube at a Time
Noah Huff, 12, decided to take the Science Research route for his senior project. Huff’s research surrounded plastic-eating bacteria. He explored how this bacteria could be made more effective at breaking down plastics in order to address issues with pollution. Investigating this bacteria required a long, difficult process which required some help, so Huff enlisted the aid of his mentor, Dr. Yoon-Seong Kim from the UCF Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, to assist him in his
research.
“Dr. Kim was very knowledgeable about genetics research and a whole realm
of cellular sciences that was initially beyond my scope. So he was a great help especially in the early stages of pretext design,” Huff said.
Huff’s research came to an end once he was able to identify a strain of bacteria that expressed the gene which allowed the bacteria to degrade large quantities
of plastic.
“I was pleased to discover that my research had a meaningful impact on
this area and I am proud to be able to contribute my own original research to remedying the issue of plastic in the environment,” Huff said.
Science research students are now having to transfer all of their project information and documentation to the web as COVID-19 presents its setbacks. “At first it was difficult, but we are adapting to using online platforms, so the
completion of the projects seems to be going more smoothly,” said Huff.
Finding Fidgets
Emily McDaniel, 12, has already faced setbacks in her AP Capstone project and now faces even more as COVID-19 takes its toll. McDaniel’s project is designed to investigate to what extent the act of fidgeting affects well-being.
“For my research, I originally planned to take a survey of different classes after they had or hadn’t fidgeted for 15 minutes. However, because of COVID-19, I had to scrap that idea. Mr. Brochinni suggested that I invent a fidget toy that filled a gap that I had found within my research,” McDaniel said.
The gap McDaniel chose to address was the lack of fidget toys that fulfill a wide range of sensory needs. Most fidgets are either touch-based or auditory, so they leave other senses in the dark. McDaniel was working to create her own fidget that fulfilled at least four sensory needs. However, she has faced difficulties in doing so since school converted to online learning.
“I’m still collaborating with my mentor to invent a new fidget, but I can say that I’m
satisfied with all that I am learning. I conducted research on ADHD, PTSD, ASD (autism spectrum disorder), Alzheimer’s, classroom settings, and how they all can be impacted by fidgeting. It would be really interesting to see the end product tested in these areas, but until then I’ll continue working,” said McDaniel.
A Night of Fun
Dustin Smith, 12, decided to organize a family fun night for families with special needs children for his senior project. Smith is a leadership student who wanted to create a space in which special needs children could have an entertaining night, including a bounce house, a childrens train, a petting zoo, and a cartoonist, all of which were donated by
local businesses for free.
Smith asked Kim Morril, the leader of his church’s special needs program, to be his
mentor. Morril helped Smith to contact businesses and arrange the event.
“The kids loved it! I got multiple thank you letters from the kids and some of the parents came up to me after the event and told me how much fun they all had,” Smith
said.
With his project done, Smith is preparing for his final presentation and video
assignments.
“Right now I am just trying to stay organized and calm. I am writing out my presentation
and trying to memorize it, however, I think this transition will improve the scores of a lot of people who get stagefright, including me!” said Smith. 6