Nine MNPS students who participate in the Interdisciplinary Science and Research program at Vanderbilt University have received grants from the Tennessee Junior Academy of Sciences to complete their research projects.
The Students and Their Projects
Hillsboro High School
- Callum Neel: Designing self-charging keyboard using superior quartz crystal piezo elements
- Mavis Wolf: How Water Quality Impacts Microbial Diversity in Richland Watershed
- Mohammed Sankari: Evaluating Nigella sativa's Anticancer Properties on Mouse Colon Carcinoma Cells
- Emilia Sanabria: Evaluating the Impact of Ethyl Paraben and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate on C. elegans
John Overton High School
- Ben Watts: Comparing the Prevalence of Wolbachia in 2 Diverse Ecosystems
- Nicholas Bourque: How Caffeine from Different Sources and Dosages Effects C. elegans Developmental Growth
Stratford STEM Magnet High School
- Benjamin Strausbaugh: The Effect of Randomized Food Locations on Domestic Goats’ Behavior
- Jeffrey Darden: Examining American Crows’ Recognition Abilities with Familiar Faces
- Cameron Martin: Vehicular Aerodynamics And Its Effects on Fuel Economy
Each student received $200 to $300 to assist with their research.
“Our students are showing at an early age that they have what it takes to be first-rate scientists and researchers,” said Jennifer Berry, MNPS’s director of STEAM and science. “We thank Vanderbilt for its partnership and support to provide such interesting and intellectually rewarding research opportunities to our students.”
229 Students in the Program
The Interdisciplinary Science and Research (ISR) program is a partnership between the Vanderbilt Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach (formerly the Vanderbilt Center for Science Outreach) and MNPS to enhance students’ understandings of STEM concepts and research principles and to empower teachers through scientific research.
ISR course offerings are available to students at Stratford STEM Magnet High School, Hillsboro High School and John Overton High School. There are 229 students in the four-year program this year.