Crime Scene Investigation Project
The crime-scene investigation project was a hands-on, immersive experience that used real world scientific techniques in order to solve a crime by using the evidence available at the scene. For this project I was assigned the case of Aaron Lee, a middle aged man found dead on his kitchen table, with a bottle of pills, a tequila bottle and a couple cups of the alcohol next to him. Lee was also found with a shot through his head and the used gun near him on the table. Briefly glancing at this crime scene, one would think that it was suicide, but that’s why the Animas Crime Scene Investigators are here, to make a clear conclusion based on facts and evidence. The first step was to log the scene, by taking photographs of important evidence, such as the body, gun and the table. After this task was done, the angle at which the bullet was shot, as well as point of origin of the blood spatter on the wall behind Lee, were looked at. These showed that Lee was lying on the table, the same position he was found, at the time he was shot. The position is a very unlikely one to shoot oneself at, so the seemingly suicidal case, turned into cold-blooded murder. The suspects identified included Lee’s wife, his stepson and his neighbor, whose alibi cleared him of suspicion. Fingerprints were then taken off of the evidence using superglue fuming and iodine fuming methods. Latent fingerprints, which are invisible to the naked eye, are usually found on metal, wood, paper and other smooth surfaces. Due to these two methods, latent fingerprints of the wife’s and stepson’s was found on the evidence at the scene. Since the stepson’s fingerprints were found at the scene, a warrant to search his apartment was found and blood was discovered on the sink. This was then DNA tested to identify it as Lee’s or his stepson’s. The blood was Lee’s, and after obtaining the confessions of the wife and the stepson, it was concluded that the stepson had poisoned his father, before the wife shot Lee.
As gruesome as this project was, it turned out to be very fascinating and informative. The use of real scientific techniques was an unforgettable experience. My favorite part was most likely DNA testing and using Electrophoresis, a method of identifying the unique markers of an individual’s DNA strand. I definitely have a new-found respect for the scientists that do this type of work.
As gruesome as this project was, it turned out to be very fascinating and informative. The use of real scientific techniques was an unforgettable experience. My favorite part was most likely DNA testing and using Electrophoresis, a method of identifying the unique markers of an individual’s DNA strand. I definitely have a new-found respect for the scientists that do this type of work.
Dissection Project
I know you're thinking, "Eww gross," but this project was actually incredibly neat. Though we had the smell of formaldehyde wafting around our small school walls for about a week, the experience was worth it. Back in seventh grade, we were given a frog to dissect, but tenth grade was different; instead we had to choose between animals fairly bigger than that meager frog. Between a Spiny Dogfish Shark, fetal pig or a cat, I had to go with the shark. Starting the project, we focused on external anatomy, understanding the porpoises (get it?) of things like the spiracles (a means for the shark to breath without moving) or the poisonous spines (a means of defense). After excelling with external anatomy, we delved into the fun part. First exploring the digestive system, then circulatory system and, lastly, urinary and reproductive systems. While blood and guts aren't entirely my scene, it was very interesting to learn about the similarities and differences between our species' and the Spiny Dogfish Sharks'.
Monkey Meal Plans Project
The Primate Rescue Center (PRC) in Lexington, Kentucky is a non-profit sanctuary designed to provide a safe, caring home to more than 50 monkeys and apes. For this project, PRC recruited the sophomore class of AHS to create a cooking book with a plethora of unique, individualized recipes for the monkeys and apes living at the sanctuary. These recipes were painstakingly revised over and over, due to the dietary requirements of the animals; monkey couldn't eat too much, or have lots of one particular nutrient, while apes had to have something entirely different. My main focus was on Irritable Bowel Syndrome monkey's and for my recipe, I had to make a meal that would meet their individual needs.
While this project required a lot of attention and work to perfectly balance our recipes, the final project cookbook looked really great (if I were a monkey, I'd be totally psyched to try all the recipes!)
Click HERE to check out the Primate Rescue Center (and some very cute primates)!
While this project required a lot of attention and work to perfectly balance our recipes, the final project cookbook looked really great (if I were a monkey, I'd be totally psyched to try all the recipes!)
Click HERE to check out the Primate Rescue Center (and some very cute primates)!
Durango Nature Studies Assessment Project
For this project, Durango Nature Studies recruited the 10th grade class of Animas High School to conduct several studies that included water quality tests, vegetation surveys and visual encounter surveys on their property.
After we conducted the tests, we used Excel to graph our data and calculate populations of bullfrogs and leopard frogs on the DNS property. We also had to write a paper explaining what we found and why it was important.
I am proud of final paper because after all the work we did, it felt good to put everything down on paper. It was a difficult project, and there was a lot to it, but I learned more than I thought would and had fun doing it.
Click HERE for my final paper!
After we conducted the tests, we used Excel to graph our data and calculate populations of bullfrogs and leopard frogs on the DNS property. We also had to write a paper explaining what we found and why it was important.
I am proud of final paper because after all the work we did, it felt good to put everything down on paper. It was a difficult project, and there was a lot to it, but I learned more than I thought would and had fun doing it.
Click HERE for my final paper!