BDJMS Student Enters National Science Competition

Karina Curbelo, an eighth grade student at Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School, has entered a “Digital Media Website Project” into the Think Quest National Science Competition.  Her project, “Biospheres: A Solution to Pollution,” is centered on the question of whether biospheres could serve as a viable solution to escaping air pollutants on Earth.  She built two biospheres in the BDJMS Greenhouse Room and tested for temperature, water acidity, solid particulates and the effects on three varieties of plant growth.

Interest in the topic stemmed from Karina’s research into the Biosphere Design Division’s early 1990 experiment where a group of scientists designed and tested a biosphere. She then took this knowledge and designed an experiment in which she would produce, “insight on the condition of our atmosphere and it’s future,” in hopes to leave an “impression on young people and raise their awareness.” 

Karina’s experiment was centered on two biospheres.  The first, being the control, was free from any pollutants and modeled an atmosphere in which no fossil fuels were burned.  The second was subject to fifteen minutes per week of motor oil burning.  This created smog like effects on the air quality of the biosphere and was monitored through constant measuring of temperatures, pH levels, solid particulates, and the rate of growth of a variety of plant life.

Her findings highlighted the fact that the increase in fossil fuel burning showed a rise in pH levels (forming acid rain), temperature spikes, and a twenty percent particulate buildup in the time frame of five weeks.  In her control biosphere, her findings stated that the conditions were ideal for plant life and the air quality was amazing.  She stated that, “my research does show that the control biosphere is an overall healthier environment solution for life to exist without the introduction of air pollutants.”

Although her findings show that it is a viable option to survive agriculturally using biospheres, her solution is not centered around how to deal with the after effects of air pollution, but instead a call to action to stop damaging our air quality and push for industries to use alternative forms of energy such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric.  She states that, “if we continue to pollute our Earth at the current rate it will directly affect the health of our crop production in the world.”

Karina is planning on attending Ledyard High School next fall and if her project is selected, she will receive a new laptop and a trip to California to be honored and participate in a five-day learning experience.  She gives credit to her mother for providing her support and Melita Ferraiolo, her eighth grade science teacher at BDJMS.  Melita Ferraiolo is in her thirty fourth year at the school and is retiring at the end of this year.  Her guidance and dedication in projects like this will surely be missed. 

Check out Karina’s full project, including data, pictures, and her full lab report at:

http://biospheresasolutiontopollution.weebly.com/index.html