September 30, 2024 by Daniel Hancock (‘26)
For those who might not be aware, Saratoga Springs High School offers its students the chance to create and run their own independent research through the Science Research program. It is offered as a three-year program starting sophomore year of high school. It allows students to get hands-on lab and research experience with professional guidance and mentoring too! While sophomore year of high school is dedicated to deciding on a topic, junior year is conducting your study and senior year is presenting and continuing: although it is taken at your own pace after sophomore year. Looking into where this program can take students, Annie Marsh, a junior in the program, shared her experience and research.
Annie is currently researching harmful algae blooms in her study “Harmful Algae Blooms Pre-treated Using Autoclave Compared to Not Pre-treated and Store-Bought Fertilizer for Organic Bio-fertilizer Usage.” Marsh’s interest in water helped her decide on this topic, mentioning, “I paddle board a lot and have had interactions with harmful algae before.” She is attempting to take algae out of two bodies of water and convert it into usable fertilizer. Her study totals eight samples of algae for conversion, with different treatment methods to see the effect the algae has on the resulting fertilizer. To measure the fertilizer growth effect, Marsh is “using kale and resting various variables that show growth to see if it works.” Her study is currently ongoing, and will be in progress throughout the year.
By looking into the subject and reading about various studies, she came up with her study idea and plan. Like other Science Research students, Marsh then found a professor at Skidmore to mentor her through her study.
This program allows for students to not only research further into their interests but also work with professionals in their field of study to help them formulate a complex project. “The Science Research program is a great opportunity to get college credit, research experience and really explore whatever you’re interested in” Marsh adds. For current freshmen who might be interested, they should consider learning more about the program!