 Carnecia Norfleet
My Watershed Watch Experience
During my time in New Hampshire, I was able to experience a large portion of science in all areas. The program was great in expanding my research in biology. There were many projects to choose from, in which I chose to join two others in researching microbiology. In that area we came up with equations on the water temperature where the microorganisms lived. We research the different types of microorganisms. Two main kinds which were ones that lived in the water or wet areas and ones that lived on land. We also studied the diverse environment each one came from and whether the temperature in that particular place was for them. There were vertebrates and invertebrates, like those of common insects.
Our main project took affect when we went to Mt. Moosilauke. There were two of the microorganism species that were the focus point of this research. Our research was to gather water mites and caddis flies that were both freshwater invertebrates and see how long they would last in a different type of water environment. In the beginning of this search it was difficult because of the area we were in. Mt. Moosilauke did not offer any of these small creatures. We ended up having to wait until we got back to the university to get samples from ODR. There wasn’t much time left to really work on our project like we wanted to, but after awhile things started to go how we needed it and out project was going good. We presented our research and at the end, I was very proud of the outcome of this whole program.
The trip to Mt. Moosilauke really put the mood of this program in me. It was really great to be part of something with so many things in store and having a good time with it too. I had the determination to do everything right in this program and also everything for what I needed to research for my project. I climbed all the way to the top of that mountain and it was the best. I was thinking to myself, I would have never thought to be doing this in my lifetime. Watershed Watch provided real good experiences for everyone to enjoy and have memories of.
I loved every minute of the Watershed Watch program. It taught me a lot in many areas of science. Being able to see something new and being introduced to new people knowing that we are all like in different ways. The professors and advisors of the program were very welcoming and generous. They were there as a friend and a guide also. The whole New Hampshire experience was nice and in any given time I would not mind doing it again. |
