Young Naturalist Awards 2003: scientific discovery begins with expeditions

Natural History, July-August, 2003

"Until now, I hadn't realized the importance of these local plants, trees, and mushrooms, many of which I had seen while walking in the woods around my home."

Comparing Streams in Southwest Washington to Determine the Needs of Salmon, by Kristen Marini (Maple Grove Middle School, Battle Ground, Washington; Grade 8)

Kristen focused on a question: why hasn't there been a large salmon run in Salmon Creek since the early 1990s? She compared local streams in southwest Washington, some of which have healthy salmon runs, to determine what environmental factors are beneficial to salmon. She discovered that some parts of Salmon Creek are polluted and the probable cause for the lack of salmon runs.

"I would like to travel to other creeks ... and examine them to see if they are providing the basic requirements for salmon, and to ensure that my findings are not coincidental."

Arsenic and Zinc Distributions in Streams near Park City, Utah, by Doug Naftz (Park City High School, Park City, Utah; Grade 10)

After learning that his city's drinking water supply contained elevated levels of zinc and arsenic--both toxic to humans--Doug built a miniature permeable reactive barrier chamber to see if he could remove arsenic from water he collected. His experiment was a success. He concluded that if PRBs are installed in the main tunnel that supplies water, then enough arsenic could be removed to lower the concentration to acceptable levels.

"After identifying that there was a serious problem concerning arsenic in the streams and possibly in the drinking water of Park City, I decided to see if there was a natural and cost-effective way to remove it."

Surviving against All Odds: Investigating the Adaptability of the Common Periwinkle, by Natalie Parks (Halifax West High School, Halifax, Nova Scotia; Grade 12)

Natalie decided to investigate the biological implications of a polluted environment using periwinkles. She collected periwinkles from the North West Arm area of Halifax and also from a pristine environment and compared them. She concluded that chemical changes alone in its environment will not eradicate the periwinkle as it will always find ways to adapt.

"Examining this species has given me insight into the ability of creatures to adapt to even the most hostile of environments ... I have a greater appreciation for the survival abilities of all creatures."

Aquarium: An Ecosystem in Miniature, by Charlotte Seid (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia; Grade 9)

A tropical fish enthusiast, Charlotte decided to examine the aquatic community she had created in an aquarium in her home. During her expedition she examined how each fish species adapted to the aquarium environment, and observed how fish that never meet in nature interacted.

"Through observing, sketching, and ultimately becoming more familiar with my aquarium and its piscean inhabitants, I realized how natural forces and behaviors are prevalent even in an artificial setting."

Saguaro Cactus: From Life to Death, by Kyle Sheets (Doolen Middle School, Tucson, Arizona; Grade 7)