News - United States of America
Elkhorn Slough Reserve 2022 Student Research Symposium Highlights
Regional in-person Student Research Symposia (SRS) were not held in 2022 due to the ongoing COVID pandemic; however, with support from NASA Grant no. 80NSSC18K0135 and Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES), the GLOBE U.S. Coordination Office was able to support in-person local SRS where students shared the results of field investigations using GLOBE protocols or data. Learn more about all of the 2022 local SRS here.
On 07 May 2022, twenty-one students from seven schools attended a Student Research Symposium at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve supported by GLOBE partner Peggy Foletta.
The day began at the outdoor classroom with an opening ceremony and introductions of the reserve managers and event lead Peggy. The three STEM professional reviewers each spoke about their science background. Reviewers included George Matsumoto (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute), Kimberly Swan (Monterey Bay Aquarium), and Matthew Hess (Moss Landing Marine Labs). The keynote speaker talked about using drones in research.
The five projects were reviewed in two poster sessions. While one group reviewed, the other group learned about the review process in an interactive session.
Seven students represented the Watsonville Wetlands Watch (they attend Pajaron Valley High School and Ceiba College Prep) and were supported by Martha Arciniega. Four students from Watsonville High School attended with support from teacher Satina Ciandro. Three students and their teacher Marcy Reynolds attended from Coast Redwood Middle School. And six students represented the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History Watershed Guardians Program supported by Shannon Conner (they attend King City High School, Greenfield High School, and Gonzales High School).
After all the poster presentations and reviews were completed, the students hiked to the estuary and pulled crab traps to identify and compare crab species found on two sides of a levee. The reserve hydrologist introduced students to the use of a sonde to take water quality measurements at each crab collection point.
Students returned to the outdoor classroom where project recognition was given and each student, teacher, and reviewer received certificates of participation or appreciation.
Thank you to all the participants and congratulations to the student researchers!
(Top Image: two students present their GLOBE research, bottom image: GLOBE Partner Peggy Foletta helps a student identify a crab)
Student Research Reports: U.S. Student Research Symposia (SRS)News origin: United States of America