Young Naturalist Awards 2005: a research-based essay contest for students in grades 7-12 to promote participation and communication in science

Natural History, July, 2005

Now celebrating its eighth year, the Young Naturalist Awards recognizes the accomplishments of students who have investigated questions in the areas of biology, Earth science, or astronomy.

Every year, scientists from the American Museum of Natural History travel far and wide on expeditions to learn more about the natural world. Following in that tradition, students throughout the United States and Canada are invited to embark on their own expeditions, but their research can be conducted as close to home as their backyard or a local pond or stream.

After identifying a question, students plan how they will gather information, conduct outside research to learn more about their topic and possible methodologies, observe their subjects, and record their findings. Finally, their data analysis leads to conclusions that either answer the original question or lead to further inquiry.

Included here are descriptions of and excerpts from the winning essays. Full-length versions of the winning essays and information on how to enter the contest are published on the Museum's Web site at www.amnh.org/ youngnaturalistawards.

The Pantano Wash: Investigating an Ecosystem, by Daniel Fried (Tucson, Arizona; Grade 7)

Intrigued by a local wash, Daniel decided to explore this ecosystem to learn how plants survive during flash floods.

"Most people have heard the old saying, 'When it rains, it pours.' This is literally true where I live in southern Arizona. Over time, huge dry riverbeds have been carved out of the earth by the water. They are dry most of the time, but during a rainstorm they fill up with water. During the rainy season, the washes can have up to 15 or 16 feet of water in them, flowing very swiftly. You might think that this would kill any plants in the wash, but grass, bushes, and trees are able to survive and even thrive in this harsh environment."

The Effects of Hedychium gordnerianum on the Surrounding Soil and Native Flora in Volcano, Hawaii, by Mali'o Kodis (Volcano, Hawaii; Grade 7)

Kahili ginger, an invasive plant, is a threat to the Hawaiian rain forest. Mali'o investigates this plant further.

"Ever since I can remember, Kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) has been an enemy of my household. It dominates the ground cover and blocks out sunlight. I grew up assuming that I was doing a very good deed for the environment by depleting the ginger population. I never once wondered, is ginger truly bad for the environment? Maybe it actually helps native plants."

Exploring Earthworms' Influences on a Miniature Ecosystem, by Remy Robert (New Orleans, Louisiana; Grade 8)

Among the lush variety of plants and creatures in her backyard, Remy encountered several species of worms.

"The other day, in my backyard, I slapped a mosquito that had just landed on my knee and looked out at the spectrum of paper-thin, satin-soft flowers; the bouquets of long, glossy green ginger leaves; and the young live oaks. My mind shifted--the wide stretch of grass seemed big to me. How big must it seem to one of the white, microscopic grains-of-sand-with-legs crawling around on the fig ivy?"

Does Effluent Water Affect the Ecosystem in Fountain Hills, Arizona? by Christina Silvestri (Fountain Hills, Arizona; Grade 8)

The town of Fountain Hills, Arizona, uses recycled wastewater to fill a local lake. Christina decided to explore the lake's cycles.

"On my way to school each day, I pass the Fountain Hills Fountain and park. Effluent water is recycled wastewater, used to fill the lake and water the park. At times the lake is full of animal and plant life, at other times the water is gloomy, looking as if nothing could survive. I wondered why the town uses effluent water in a public area. I decided to investigate."

Tidal Pools: Bacterial Variability and Marine Life Stability, by Allison Holcombe (Coto de Caza, California; Grade 9)

Allison sought to find out how ocean temperature and bacterial counts might affect tidal pool marine life.

"Despite their adaptability, tide pools are quite susceptible to the whims of humankind. Storm drain runoff after a significant rain can raise bacterial counts. El Nino weather patterns can change feeding patterns for much of the native marine life. Even the changing of the seasons may cause ambient ocean temperatures to fall. Thus, the formation of my hypothesis for this expedition depends on the flux of the temperatures of the ocean, as well as the resultant change in bacterial counts."

Impact Study of Grovers Mill Pond and Dam Reconstruction on Big Bear Brook, by Eitan Paul (Princeton Junction, New Jersey; Grade 9)

When plans to reconstruct Grovers Mill Dam were announced, Eitan wondered what impact the reconstruction would have on a local body of water.

"In the 1800s early settlers in the area built a 400-foot-long earthen dam to trap Big Bear Brook for their grinding mill. Over the years, silt and sediment have spilled into the pond, creating an over-vegetated ecosystem resembling thick green muck. This eutrophication has greatly reduced the amount of dissolved oxygen available to aquatic organisms. The rehabilitation of Grovers Mill Pond and Dam got underway, and I wondered what impact the reconstruction might have on Big Bear Brook."