StC News
David Millman '19 recognized for outstanding STEM project
Millman's recognition comes following a presentation at the Junior Symposium for Humanities and Sciences on March 15 and 16.
Congratulations to David Millman '19 for being recognized by the Junior Symposium for Humanities and Sciences (JSHS) for his "Outstanding Research Project in STEM." David earned this recognition following a presentation he gave at the JSHS event at James Madison University of March 15 and 16 where he discussed the findings of an independent research project on microplastics in the James River, a project he completed with Upper School science teacher Austin Sutten.
Describing his research project, David writes:
Describing his research project, David writes:
I conducted an investigation of four sites on the James River (both suburban and urban) for micro-plastics, which are plastics that have degraded below five millimeters. This issue of plastic pollution is global, as you may have seen the recent news about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I wanted to find out what is happening with this issue locally. The main issue with finding micro-plastics is that they are invisible to the naked eye, and sometimes so small that they cannot be differentiated from water. This study was the first environmental test of micro-plastics under .3 millimeters using Nile Red in the world, and the first study of micro-plastics in the James River at all. My research found strong indications of micro-plastics in several areas of the James River. I used a florescence microscope at the University of Richmond to see the plastics in the water at a microscopic level (they were the green spots). I also founded and became the co-head of the Saints for Environmental Awareness and Action Club (SEAA) throughout this project mainly because of this issue, and we just had our first river cleanup in the James River this Saturday.
This project is a great opportunity for anyone interested in STEM or research in general. This project taught me so much about the inner workings of scientific research. I even got to meet a professor at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and tour the facilities there because of my research. If anyone is interested in STEM as a career this is the best way to get introduced to the world of science. A lot of the research I did in this project really inspired the work I am doing as the co-head of SEAA, which is having its first upper school presentation soon to talk about pollution and recycling at St. Christopher's. We also plan to implement a recycling awareness program to better inform students, and a river cleanup program with other schools and potentially St. Catherine's. The starting point for all of the work I am doing now came from the independent research project I did.
.png){kind=logo}
©2023 St. Christopher's School. All Rights Reserved.