Ashton Carroll
We got started on our project right away today. The main goal for the day was to take our DNA
samples and run PCR to make lots of copies of one section of DNA. We also had groups go to
\retrieve the final traps that were still in the water. Dr. Haney summarized the process of how making
duplicates of a DNA strand works, and then we began.
samples and run PCR to make lots of copies of one section of DNA. We also had groups go to
\retrieve the final traps that were still in the water. Dr. Haney summarized the process of how making
duplicates of a DNA strand works, and then we began.
To prepare the DNA, we had to make a solution of master mix, primer and DNA. Then that mix was
put in tiny tubes and put inside a machine that heats up the DNA to 94 celsius, to break the hydrogen
bonds that hold the double helix together. The solutions are then cooled to 60 celsius because that
supports the binding of the primer, and to begin the copying, the solution it is raised to 72 celsius.
This cycle of temperature changes is repeated for several hours so theoretically, one DNA strand
can be copied into an exponentially higher number of strands that are identical.
put in tiny tubes and put inside a machine that heats up the DNA to 94 celsius, to break the hydrogen
bonds that hold the double helix together. The solutions are then cooled to 60 celsius because that
supports the binding of the primer, and to begin the copying, the solution it is raised to 72 celsius.
This cycle of temperature changes is repeated for several hours so theoretically, one DNA strand
can be copied into an exponentially higher number of strands that are identical.
We also started gel electrophoresis today. I did not spend very much time on this process because
I was finishing sorting the samples from the final traps that we brought in. Electrophoresis allows us
to see if we successfully copied the same strand of DNA. If it was successful, then the solution would
travel farther through the matrix and the band would show up under a black light. In the most recent
sample of sea water and organisms, there was a very large snail and it was humorous to watch my
peers debate over what it was when it very clearly was a snail.
I was finishing sorting the samples from the final traps that we brought in. Electrophoresis allows us
to see if we successfully copied the same strand of DNA. If it was successful, then the solution would
travel farther through the matrix and the band would show up under a black light. In the most recent
sample of sea water and organisms, there was a very large snail and it was humorous to watch my
peers debate over what it was when it very clearly was a snail.
One positive from the day was that more people were involved than during the last day.
Everyone was working on at least one tube for the PCR process. This part of the day progressed
smoothly. Not as much work got done later on in the day because many juniors were at their future
projects while seniors were retrieving the other traps. Our communication was solid. Everyone helped
each other during PCR and all the materials were equally shared. All in all, it was a good year of service
learning with many lessons and discoveries.
Everyone was working on at least one tube for the PCR process. This part of the day progressed
smoothly. Not as much work got done later on in the day because many juniors were at their future
projects while seniors were retrieving the other traps. Our communication was solid. Everyone helped
each other during PCR and all the materials were equally shared. All in all, it was a good year of service
learning with many lessons and discoveries.
group, we immediately started on the DNA extraction so we could do PCR. There were many
steps involved in preparing the samples to extract DNA. Each step had to be followed precisely
or else the entire project could fail. This was somewhat stressful, and it was even more worrisome
because not all of my peers were taking the work very seriously. There was a lot of crushing, measuring,
and pipetting involved. Even though our specimen were already dead, it was a little sad to destroy their
small, weak bodies by grinding them up in a tube with a pestle.
Some challenges our group faced this month was the lack of participation from certain people in the
group. It is very frustrating when several people are constantly negative and slack on their responsibilities.
This happened several times throughout the day as people would make excuses to avoid doing work or
just choose to not participate. As an individual, I can encourage others to contribute to the project and fulfill
their duties. It would also help to have more clear communication in which the responsibilities for everyone
are explicitly outlined. During the day, I tried to be compassionate and offer help to those that were having
a difficult time, whether it was with opening up a bottle or if they were confused about a step. I felt connected
to the group of people that were working hard since we all had the same goal in mind.
group. It is very frustrating when several people are constantly negative and slack on their responsibilities.
This happened several times throughout the day as people would make excuses to avoid doing work or
just choose to not participate. As an individual, I can encourage others to contribute to the project and fulfill
their duties. It would also help to have more clear communication in which the responsibilities for everyone
are explicitly outlined. During the day, I tried to be compassionate and offer help to those that were having
a difficult time, whether it was with opening up a bottle or if they were confused about a step. I felt connected
to the group of people that were working hard since we all had the same goal in mind.
Overall, I enjoyed the work we did today. It was exciting to be in the lab and actually doing something
with the samples I spent a lot of time sorting. I did not like how much of the group was not involved
though. There is only so much one can do to encourage participation, and if people are still being
negative, it can really impact the group dynamic. In the end, we accomplished our goal of DNA
extraction so next service learning day we can run PCR and be another step closer to sending the
DNA off for sequencing.
with the samples I spent a lot of time sorting. I did not like how much of the group was not involved
though. There is only so much one can do to encourage participation, and if people are still being
negative, it can really impact the group dynamic. In the end, we accomplished our goal of DNA
extraction so next service learning day we can run PCR and be another step closer to sending the
DNA off for sequencing.
Today was our most eventful service learning day in terms of getting outside of the classroom to start data collection.
The day began with us all meeting and going over our objectives. While we had strayed from our
schedule we set last service learning day, we expected this and made adjustments. I wrote a to-do
list on the board and the group decided our main goal would be to set traps today. Ryan called up
his grandparents who were very willing to allow us to use their dock. The group of five seniors to
first leave campus on a mission to set traps consisted of Sierra, Anna, Ryan, Juliana, and myself.
Ryan, Sierra, and Juliana stopped by the hardware store to pick up the materials to secure the traps
in place. They bought rope, weights, a lighter to burn the ends of the rope, and large zip ties. The
weights they found were actually “baby’s 1st Christmas” tree ornaments. While we do not know if
fish celebrate the holidays, we hope they appreciate the festivite element we added to the traps.
Anna and I picked up Anna’s swimsuit but could not find her wetsuit. Ultimately, she sacrificed one
for the team and ended up swimming in the chilly water without complaint.
The day began with us all meeting and going over our objectives. While we had strayed from our
schedule we set last service learning day, we expected this and made adjustments. I wrote a to-do
list on the board and the group decided our main goal would be to set traps today. Ryan called up
his grandparents who were very willing to allow us to use their dock. The group of five seniors to
first leave campus on a mission to set traps consisted of Sierra, Anna, Ryan, Juliana, and myself.
Ryan, Sierra, and Juliana stopped by the hardware store to pick up the materials to secure the traps
in place. They bought rope, weights, a lighter to burn the ends of the rope, and large zip ties. The
weights they found were actually “baby’s 1st Christmas” tree ornaments. While we do not know if
fish celebrate the holidays, we hope they appreciate the festivite element we added to the traps.
Anna and I picked up Anna’s swimsuit but could not find her wetsuit. Ultimately, she sacrificed one
for the team and ended up swimming in the chilly water without complaint.
I was the lead photographer during the trap placement process. I also recorded the tide and the
depths of the traps. This work was very fun and exciting because it required independent thought
and problem solving. We were very resourceful with the materials we had. I created a rope sling for
Anna to balance on while in the water so she could work with both hands. Ryan fastened a new
knot to ensure the trap would not slide out of the zip tie. We collaborated and worked together on
every aspect. Since the visibility in the water was only about a foot, we really relied on Anna to tell
us what stage of the placement she was at. She pushed through the cold and murky water to make
sure our second trap was secured. Overall, our day was very productive. Many other groups also
placed traps so now we can focus on diving to place more traps. We hope to recover the traps we
placed today in about a month to begin the analyzing process.
Today was a very successful service learning day. I thought it was productive, and I learned a lot! We started off the day by going over the schedule and objectives. Then, we made sure our blogs were all up to date and completed correctly. I reread by blog to remind myself of the progress we made last time. It was motivating and a good reminder for me to continue working toward our goals. Next we discussed potential dates for dives. I suggested that we set some traps before winter break so that we can set more traps and collect data when we are back in January. depths of the traps. This work was very fun and exciting because it required independent thought
and problem solving. We were very resourceful with the materials we had. I created a rope sling for
Anna to balance on while in the water so she could work with both hands. Ryan fastened a new
knot to ensure the trap would not slide out of the zip tie. We collaborated and worked together on
every aspect. Since the visibility in the water was only about a foot, we really relied on Anna to tell
us what stage of the placement she was at. She pushed through the cold and murky water to make
sure our second trap was secured. Overall, our day was very productive. Many other groups also
placed traps so now we can focus on diving to place more traps. We hope to recover the traps we
placed today in about a month to begin the analyzing process.
After finishing up with the planning, we moved into the wet lab to work on building more traps. Dr. Haney brought in PVC pipe and more string to test out a new design. Anna and I worked on the trap we started last service learning day. The weaving was even more tedious than we remembered. Anna would not stop playing holiday music and our group definitely had a few laughs as we all tried to convince her it was too early to begin celebrating the holidays with Christmas music. I made 3 traps out of PVC pipe, zip ties and string that was similar in width to seagrass.
My favorite part of the day was after we returned from lunch. Michael went to his dock in Long Beach and scraped off some ocean organisms. Dr. Haney pointed some out in the water and explained what type of creature they were, and what purpose they served in the ecosystem. I was fascinated by all the biodiversity in such a small sample. I also learned what organisms we can be expected to find when we are looking at our traps. Dr. Haney then gave everyone their own sample of algae and seawater. I helped set up all the microscopes and we were all given time to look through our sample to find organisms. While everyone combed their sample for about 40 minutes, I looked through mine for almost two hours. It was amazing all of the different organisms that I came across. I watched each one under the microscope and even took videos. I am looking forward to continuing activities like this, especially when the organisms are from our own traps.I was very careful when observing the animals because I did not want to accidently kill any. I was reminded that the oceans are full of more life than one could ever expect, and that they are also extremely fragile.
The group was not as bonded as last service learning day because we were divided up as some students were working on the book portion of their scuba certification. While the day was less collaborative as last meeting, we still worked well together. We created an assembly line to work on the traps which showed effective communication and teamwork. I am looking forward to working more with this team of students, and cannot wait to get into the water to dive with them!
Today, COAST did a lot of research and worked on building lobster larvae traps. We started the day off by going over the objectives and goals for the day. Dr. Haney made a schedule and updated us all on the current position of the project. He talked about his meeting with Crystal Cove and explained that we were going to work on creating larvae traps, some similar to past traps and some of a new design. Then, we started our research.
I was part of the team researching the different types of traps used in past studies. My team did really well working together to read the studies and find the useful information for our topic. We had to sort through many papers that Dr. Haney gathered for us, as well as research we found on the internet. I learned how to skim a scientific research paper and pull out the highlights. I also found some helpful diagrams of new trap ideas.
After COAST recapped the research that each group did, we moved into the physics lab to begin working on the actual traps. We were shocked to learn that the researcher from Crystal Cove spent 30 hours working on one part of a trap. Anna and I focused on undoing the twine so it was small enough to fit through the holes on the sheet of plastic. Our intention was to feed the twine through the plastic sheet, so it was covered in hundreds of tassels. This was quite a time consuming job and even though we worked for several hours, it seemed like the progress we made was minimal compared to how much more we must do.
I think the communication of the team can always be improved, but in my opinion, today was quite successful. We broke off into smaller groups for research, but still we were all connected as we used a single google drive document to consolidate the information. We also went over the research as a group and talked about the main points to make sure everyone understood the key points. I enjoyed working on the traps because we were all in the same room interacting and collaborating. Everyone was helping each other and sharing materials which created a fun environment. We also had music playing so our task did not seem so monotonous.
We had to be creative to accomplish some of our goals. Anna and I found a good system of unwinding the twine quickly and we shared it with the others in our group to make the process as efficient as possible. As Anna would untwist one end of twine, I would circle around her hands with the other end while holding it all tight. This allowed us to be extremely fast. Everyone demonstrated compassion because we were all so willing to help each other whenever it was needed. Overall, this service learning day was a total success!
Comments
Post a Comment