2012 Youth Science Discovery Experience

Cohort 2 presented results from their semester of research this morning.  We were happy to see that many students had friends and family in attendance to hear their talks on wind power engineering, raptor migration (below right), greenhouse evapotranspiration, microbiology, and compostable products (below left).

After five excellent and informative talks, thought-provoking questions from the audience, a brief certificate ceremony (below), and a last lunch together, YSDE 2012 drew to a close.  The National Youth Science Foundation extends many thanks to Canaan Valley Institute for the use of its wonderful facility and the outstanding support of its scientists, as well to NASA for the financial support that has made the first two years of YSDE possible.  Most of all, we appreciate the hard work of the students and the support of parents, teachers, and schools that have made the program possible.  Keep an eye out for up-coming information about the fall 2012 YSDE!

YSDE research teams buckled down for an intense work day to finalize their presentations for tomorrow’s closing colloquium.  In addition to preparing and rehearsing a talk, each group created a poster version of its results that will be posted on the YSDE website soon.

Between work sessions, students got a chance to unwind with a variety of seminars including stream quality assessment, silly putty physics and mixing, coffee tasting, team building games (below left), and archery.  After a last work session and dinner, teams returned to the lodge for a musical performance (below right) and a last evening together for the spring  YSDE session.

Original research projects are the central focus of academic activities of YSDE, but the National Youth Science Foundation recognizes the value of balance and variety in developing experience and wisdom.  All of our programs complement academic pursuits with arts and outdoor activities in order to expand comfort zones and perspective.  Along those lines, students and teachers set out on an 11-mile backpacking trip between the Blackwater Falls Lodge and the town of Davis.

The hikers benefited from an impressive collaboration and connectivity achieved by many local land management interests and trail advocates, including Canaan Valley Institute, the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, the National Youth Science Foundation, Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County Trails, and the Heart of the Highlands Trail System.  The route featured some beautiful miles on the new Splash Dam South Trail (below), thanks to hard work from HoH, TCT, AmeriCorps, and Tucker County High School.

A few students unable to backpack due to injury or illness enjoyed a tour of the White Room Gallery in Thomas, WV with artist and gallery co-owner Nathan Baker.  Representatives from AmeriCorps NCCC, who were in the area working on service projects, spoke to YSDE students Monday evening before a presentation by Josh Stevens of slides and equipment from a mountaineering expedition on Denali.

With tired feet and a little fresh air in their lungs, YSDE teams will dive back into finalizing their research results tomorrow for presentation at Wednesday’s closing colloquium.

After this morning’s work on team projects, students had a hard choice to make among three afternoon seminar options.  One group took a field trip to the Fairfax Stone (below), visited an unusual post office and stopped by the smallest church in the contiguous United States.  Another group learned about acid mining reclamation and used iron oxide from reclamation processes to tie dye T-shirts (left).  A third group learned about JASON Project resources and opportunities from YSDE teacher Melinda Carpenter, featured in JASON’s “Terminal Velocity” curriculum.

Students finished the day with preparations for tomorrow’s backpacking trip  and a well-timed talk on the natural and human history of the Canaan Valley region from Penn State professor Steve Keating, author of A Dolly Sods North – Blackwater Guidebook.

Cohort 2 of the Spring 2012 Youth Science Discovery Experience is in the home stretch.  The research teams arrived at Canaan Valley Institute and got to work wrapping up their research and beginning to outline their presentations for next Wednesday’s colloquium.  Dr. Rachel Rosen of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory visited YSDE to give a survey of various cosmic phenomena, from pulsars, galaxies, black holes, and stellar life cycles.  Above, Alexis Branch and scientist Danny Welsch discuss a storyboard for their team’s presentation.  Below, Philip Barbour students make some final measurements in the greenhouse.

Davis, WV – Students belonging to Cohort One of the Youth Science Discovery Experience successfully completed their research and presented it in a research colloquium yesterday.   The students have been working on their projects since early January, and presented them to scientists based at Canaan Valley Institute, as well at their peers and family members.

We will be posting the final collection of photos from Cohort One here shortly. Additionally, we will be adding the poster style summaries of their research to this site.  Check back soon to see all the pictures and posters, and to get updates about Cohort Two’s progress. Congratulations Cohort One!  We look forward to seeing what you’ll achieve next!

Davis, WV – Students belonging to the first cohort of YSDE 2012 completed their research projects today.  These projects focused on a variety of subjects including greenhouse water efficiency, flight mechanics, and windmill efficiency.  The students have been working on these projects since January, assembling their research at a series of three research weekends based out the Canaan Valley Institute.

The students will presenting their research findings in a colloquium held at CVI tomorrow, April 24th at 10:00 a.m.  Parents, friends, and family are invited to come and observe the research presentations and learn more about YSDE and it’s programs, seminars, and lecture series.

Students put the finishing touches on their projects before the research colloquium on April 24th.

If you do not wish to attend the research colloquium, please arrive by 1:00 p.m. for the closing ceremony.

See the rest of the photos and the schedule for the day after the jump.

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Davis, WV – Students in the first cohort of the 2012 Youth Science Discovery Experience continued work on their research projects today. The students spent the afternoon in seminars including mountain biking, nature sketching, and cupcake design.

Students to YSDE 2012 mount their bikes before departing on an afternoon ride.

After seminar time, the cohort gathered for a lecture by Dr. Barnes Louthan and an orientation meeting for their upcoming overnighter.

See the rest of the photos and the schedule for the day after the jump.

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Davis, WV – Students in the first cohort of the 2012 Youth Science Discovery Experience returned to Canaan Valley for their final research weekend.  Students spent the day planning the final steps of their projects, and beginning the preparation for their research presentations.

Students optimize wind turbine designs in front of a fan.

See the rest of the photos and the schedule for the day after the jump.

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