Biology Service Learning Research Benefits College

Myra Saturen
November 20, 2009

At a PowerPoint presentation on November 20, biology students of Associate Professor of Biology Sharon Lee Bond demonstrated their group research projects.  All included their steps for testing hypotheses and offered conclusions that have practical benefits.

Ryan Hadeed and Michael Drake surveyed NCC biology majors about their transfer plans in relation to courses they are taking.  Fifty percent were found to be studying subjects required for transferring to three four-year colleges to prepare for pharmacy or dental careers.

To guide students in course selection, Hadeed and Drake composed lists of required courses for students planning to go to pharmacy school or dental school.

 Carolina Walker, Brittany Lutz and Ba Aissatou interviewed freshmen and sophomore students to determine which group knew more about the NCC Health Center.  Contrary to their hypothesis, the freshmen knew more-perhaps, the group surmised-as a result of the health center's campaign for flu prevention. 

 To better acquaint students with the health center, the group created an informational brochure listing all the center's services.  

 Mike McDonald, Jim McMichael, Christie Gustave, and Kathy Hause performed their research at Jacobsburg State Park, where they investigated the growth of invasive plants and ways to remove them.  Focusing on Japanese barberry, an especially dominant weed, they found their hypothesis to be correct, that the aggressiveness of this weed was destabilizing the balance of flora and fauna. 

 To remove the barberry from the landscape, the group hand-pulled the weeds, including the roots.  Two weeks later, the students checked their experimental plots and found zero regrowth.  The conclusion?  The most effective way to remove Japanese barberry plants is by old-fashioned hand-pulling. 

Mike McDonald is pictured at the top.