News - United States of America
Midwest Students Present Research at Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
Seventy-two students from four states (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin) participated in the 2024 GLOBE Midwest Student Research Symposium, held at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium (Ohio) from May 6-8, 2024.
Three back-to-back poster sessions took place, giving students opportunities for three rotating activities: presenting their projects to STEM professional reviewers and peers, conducting peer review, and visiting the Toledo Zoo's Africa Exhibit. Each of these rotating sessions was 40 minutes in length, allowing students time to fully discuss their research and time to talk to and meet new people.
After the poster sessions, students went on behind-the-scenes tours of the zoo.
They also collected GLOBE data within the zoo, including surface temperature measurements using infrared thermometers and TerraROVERs, and hydrology data.
The next morning, students worked in teams of four to create an informal presentation on the data collected the day before.
Throughout the event, students were presented with career talks and keynote sessions by STEM professionals, including: Dr. Peg Yacabucci, paleobiologist from Bowling Green State University; Raven Alford, large mammal zookeeper at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium; Dr. Jaret Daniels, entomologist at the University of Florida; and Dr. Kevin Czajkowski, GLOBE Partner at the University of Toledo, who spoke about Urban Heat Islands.
Special thanks to GLOBE Partners Jodi Haney and Mitchell Magdich (Xcite Learning/Toledo Zoo/BGSU) for coordinating and hosting this event, and for Partners from the University of Toledo/GLOBE Mission Earth, NASA Langley Research Center and Wayne RESA for contributing.
Four student groups were recognized for their projects in the following areas:
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Use of GLOBE Protocols/Data: Rami Eter, Youssuf Hasan, Mohamad Nasser and Rawad Rahal from Crestwood High School (Michigan) for “Assessing Ground Freezing Depth Variability During an El Niño Winter: A Frost Tube Approach”
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Use of GLOBE Protocols/Data: Angel Garcia, Andrzej Sanchez and Ivan Garcia from Clippert Academy (Michigan) for “What is the Effect of Light on the Change in Leaf Color?”
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Community Impact and Engagement: Hosn Al Amri, Areej Alsoufi, Amal Barman and Shoora Muqbal from Melvindale High School (Michigan) for “Climate Change in Michigan”
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Research Process: Caden Zuehsow, Mahlan Dircksen, Connor Morimanno, Ryan Conkle, Connor Brown and Jaimelee Gael from Garrett High School (Indiana) for “Nitrate Levels of Lake Jimmerson”
Photo captions (top to bottom):
- Photo 1: GLOBE students, educators and Partners pose in front of a fish tank at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
- Photo 2: Students share their research with their peers during the poster session at the Midwest Student Research Symposium
- Photo 3: Participants at the Midwest Student Research Symposium get a behind-the-scenes look at elephants at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
- Photo 4: students collect surface temperature data with an infrared thermometer on the grounds of the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium
- Photo 5: students present data that was collected at the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium