Report on Practicum Projects 2008

Evan Clark
Nikta Pashai
Justin Hill

Evan Clark
Email address: edc603@mail.umd.edu
ELT
Title of Project: Investigating Research Projects: Fibonacci Numbers of Ray Floret Count and Cycad Shoot Apical Meristems

Evan investigated to research projects for his site supervisor Dr.Todd J. Cooke. The first one involved finding flowers whose petals had the Fibonacci sequence.The second project was a study on Cycads. He had to dissect them and photograph the cell structure with a scanning electron microscope.

What were the main benefits from doing the project?: Evan feels that he gained valuable research experience.

What were some p obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: Working on cycads was difficult because he had to come up with a method of dissecting them on his own.

Nikta Pashai
Email address: npashai@umd.edu
ELT
Title of Project:St. Joseph’s Medical Center: Emergency Departments Nurse Assistant

Nikta shadowed the doctor and nurses at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Towson,Md. There was a shortage of nurses so volunteers were needed to give the patients more attention and care.

What were the main benefits from doing the project?: Nikta is a bio major and interested in pursuing Medical career.This gave her to the oppurtunity to work in a medical facility and gain first hand experience. It also helped her communication skills because she had to interact with the nurses and patients.

What were some obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: Some of the patients were not cooperative.

Justin Hill
Email address: jhill83@umd.edu
Science Discovery and The Universe Scholars
Title of Project: America Reads*America Counts

Justin spent 6 hours each week tutoring kids in Elementary school. He helped them with homework and did various educational activities with them.

What were the main benefits from doing the project?:Helping kids is a great feeling.

What were the main obstacles during the development and/or undertaking of the project?: Rowdy and mischievous kids .

Last modified: 13 May 2008