For our Durango Nature Studies Habitat Assessment Project, we evaluated various aspects of the property surrounding the pond and river at Durango Nature Studies. Using these evaluations, we determined the effects of invasive species on native populations, and of various environmental factors on water quality.
The first part of this project was identifying frogs. Given a chart of traits and a packet of frog pictures, we would match the correct names to the pictures using process of elimination. We learned the scientific names of the frogs we would be focusing on— the bullfrog, or Rana catesbeiana, and the leopard frog, or Rana pipiens. After we were confident in this area, we took a field trip to the actual DNS property to collect data. We recorded a variety of data, including such data as phosphates in the water, macro-invertebrate population in the pond and river, plant diversity, and of course, frog population. We then took our findings back to the classroom, where we analyzed the numbers to form conclusions about the biodiversity and water quality at DNS, and include these conclusions in a research paper.
Some skills we put to use during this project were efficient work with Microsoft Excel and technical, objective writing. We used Excel to make charts and graphs of our data, which most of the time spanned several pages. This being the case, it didn’t take us long to develop a deeper understanding and capacity for using Excel. As for technical writing, it definitely was a challenge for me, as in Humanities we were simultaneously working on our WWI short fiction stories. The writing style we were required to use in Biology was almost the exact opposite of that writing style, so I often had to re-write a sentence if it was too subjective. The practice with this, however, definitely increased the quality and validity of my technical writing.
As for my final product, I felt only partially satisfied with it. I feel that my best work comes out of my interest and engagement in the project, which in this circumstance dwindled as the project went on. I am proud of the first part of my paper, as it shows the excitement I initially approached the project with, but I feel that I started to get a bit overwhelmed over time, and that showed in my work.
The first part of this project was identifying frogs. Given a chart of traits and a packet of frog pictures, we would match the correct names to the pictures using process of elimination. We learned the scientific names of the frogs we would be focusing on— the bullfrog, or Rana catesbeiana, and the leopard frog, or Rana pipiens. After we were confident in this area, we took a field trip to the actual DNS property to collect data. We recorded a variety of data, including such data as phosphates in the water, macro-invertebrate population in the pond and river, plant diversity, and of course, frog population. We then took our findings back to the classroom, where we analyzed the numbers to form conclusions about the biodiversity and water quality at DNS, and include these conclusions in a research paper.
Some skills we put to use during this project were efficient work with Microsoft Excel and technical, objective writing. We used Excel to make charts and graphs of our data, which most of the time spanned several pages. This being the case, it didn’t take us long to develop a deeper understanding and capacity for using Excel. As for technical writing, it definitely was a challenge for me, as in Humanities we were simultaneously working on our WWI short fiction stories. The writing style we were required to use in Biology was almost the exact opposite of that writing style, so I often had to re-write a sentence if it was too subjective. The practice with this, however, definitely increased the quality and validity of my technical writing.
As for my final product, I felt only partially satisfied with it. I feel that my best work comes out of my interest and engagement in the project, which in this circumstance dwindled as the project went on. I am proud of the first part of my paper, as it shows the excitement I initially approached the project with, but I feel that I started to get a bit overwhelmed over time, and that showed in my work.