What happens when you give ninth graders a lab and a global challenge to solve? You get a front-row seat to the process of scientific discovery. This term, our biology students turned their curiosity into action, launching research projects on contemporary challenges in biology, including antibiotic resistance, ocean plastic pollution, and the impact of creatine on the human gut microbiome. It wasn’t just a project; it was a deep dive into the skills that define modern scientists.

Science teachers Jenna Glovsky and Xiaohu Zhao challenged their students to work independently or in small groups to tackle a contemporary issue in Ecology, DNA, or Biochemistry. Students spent four weeks designing and executing original experiments and comparing their findings to other scientific papers and large-scale studies. From engineering 3D solutions to drafting evidence-based action plans, students focused on finding answers to these complex issues. For example, one group developed an action plan to combat antibiotic resistance in the medical field, and another demonstrated the effectiveness of using fungi to clean up oil spills. “The goal was to be solutions-oriented,” says Jenna, “and to also have a design component in there.” 

The project findings led to diverse learning opportunities. One team investigating the impact of creatine on yeast growth successfully replicated the results of a major existing study, validating their own methodology. Other groups encountered unexpected results, but were encouraged to treat those hurdles as important data points. By comparing their findings with established research, these students were able to explain the “why” behind their findings. They learned that a failed hypothesis is not a failure of the experiment, but an important step toward deeper scientific understanding. 

The deliverable for each project is an academic poster that distills weeks of research, methodology, and findings into a clear, organized snapshot of the team’s scientific process. To prepare, the class analyzed college-level posters and graduate dissertations, learning the specific design principles that make complex data readable and accessible. Beyond the research, students also collaborated with the CC&D to bring their work to life, utilizing 3D printing for their prototypes and large-scale printing for their final posters.