by Christine Koltermann, Ph.D., Science Teacher

Eleven Notre Dame students in the Science Research Class traveled with two teachers to New Orleans, LA in December to present their science research projects at a poster session sponsored by the American Geophysical Union (AGU). These students participate in the AGU BrightStars program (Bright Students Training as Research Scientists). Our students all conducted science research projects of their own design and prepared posters documenting their work. They presented their research projects at a BrightStars poster session which included students from all over the United States as well as some international students.  Our students also had time for discussions with faculty and students participating in the BrightStars program during the BrightStars luncheon, where they heard a speaker in graduate school describe her journey as a young scientist. 

While attending the American Geophysical Union Conference, students had the opportunity to attend poster and oral presentation sessions of interest to them, interact with scientists and students from all over the world, see exhibits from agencies such as NASA, listen to a panel discussion on how to make science understandable to the mass media, and visit booths sponsored by college admissions officers.

Some project topics included recycling grey water from laundry, early detection of heart disease, tracking wolves, making a 'smart' wheelchair, the effects of radiation on yeast cells, how mussels remove fertilizer pollutants from fresh water, the effectiveness of toothpastes on inhibiting bacterial growth,and factors affecting the melting rates of ice. Some students are using large previously collected publicly available databases in their research.  

In addition, students had the opportunity to enjoy New Orleans restaurants, visit the French Quarter, and spend a day at the New Orleans World War II Museum, which was especially interesting to our students taking World History and U.S. History. 

This trip was made possible by a generous donation from a Notre Dame family, for which we are grateful.