UPPER SCHOOL
Senior Students Present Research Projects to Tennessee Junior Academy of Science
( TJAS ) Annual Meeting
Katie Decker ’ s senior Scientific Research class is a special elective , designed to equip competitive science students with a longform research project in the hopes their projects will be selected for presentation with the Tennessee Junior Academy of Science ( TJAS ) at the end of the year . This year ’ s participants were Graham Jackson , George Renaudin , Jace Johnson , Wes Geuther , Clark Danelz , and Elizabeth Blakely . Students selected and led their own research addressing a problem in our world that needs solving . Groups embark on a year of academic research to form datacentered hypotheses towards solutions .
This year ’ s class selected the following topics :
The Effects of Various Nitrate Salts on the Growth of Triticum Aestivum ( Wheatgrass ) in a Standard Ebb-and- Flow Hydroponics System
GRAHAM JACKSON , GEORGE RENAUDIN , JACE JOHNSON
The Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Escherichia Coli Growth
WES GEUTHER AND CLARK DANELZ
Systematic Review of Public Studies Informing the Distinction of Necrotising Enterocolitis ( NEC ) and Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation ( SIP ) In Premature Neonates
ELIZABETH BLAKELY
During the class students learned the difference between quality research sources and broader information available online , how to work around roadblocks in the research and experimentation process , how to manage group schedules and responsibilities , how to accurately and effectively record and synthesize data , and how to craft a coherent analytical presentation to an audience of professional scientists . Two of this year ’ s three research groups were invited to present to TJAS , and delivered impressive results to the TJAS board . Several students from this class also expressed interest in continuing their research pursuits at the collegiate level and into a pre-med track .
36 PURPLE & GOLD 2020-21