Cole Balsmeier

Title of Work: 

Impact of Atmospheric Contamination on Endangered Species, Soil, and Rain Water in the South of Spain

Abstract:

In this project, you will see the different parts of my experience in Jaén, España. During the second semester I worked in an investigation with the university. In this study, we examined samples of soil, plants, and rain that came from various locations near an industrialized city (Gibraltar). With these samples we were able to see how these plants are affected by the nearby industrial zone. To complete these tasks we used technical and chemical processes to translate the information contained in these substances to numbers. This study will be useful to inform the world of the effects of these industrial zones on nature. Furthermore, I learned a lot about the culture and lifestyle in Spain. Also, I had the opportunity to learn a new dialect of Spanish and its rules like the aspiration of the “s” and distinction. I had to adapt myself to the dialect because when I arrived I didn't understand it and didn’t speak it either. Another challenge I had was the difference in the food, when they ate, and the proportions.

Title of Work (IGP Language):  

Impacto de la Contaminación Atmosférico sobre Flora Amenazada, Suelo y Lluvia de Sur de España

Abstract (IGP Language):

En este trabajo, verás las diferentes partes de mi experiencia en el extranjero en Jaén, España. Durante el segundo semestre trabajé en una investigación con la universidad. En este proyecto, examinamos muestras de suelo, plantas y lluvia que vinieron de varias ubicaciones en relación con una ciudad industrializada (Gibraltar). Con estas muestras pudimos ver como las plantas amenazadas estaban afectadas por la zona industrializada. Para cumplir esas metas, usamos procesos químicos y tecnológicos para traducir la información que contiene las sustancias a números. Esta investigación será útil para informar al mundo las implicaciones de estas zonas industrializadas que afectan la naturaleza. Además, aprendí muchas cosas culturales sobre la vida en España y Europa. Tuve la oportunidad de aprender un dialecto nuevo de español y sus características como la aspiración de la “s” y la distinción. Tuve que adaptarme al dialecto porque cuando llegué no lo entendí y no hablé así.  Otros retos fueron la diferencia en la comida, las horas cuando comieron y las proporciones que eran diferentes de aquí. Aunque había unos retos, al final me adapté a la cultura y la lengua, y por eso aprendí más sobre el mundo que compartimos.

Elevator Pitch Video

Elevator Pitch Transcript: 

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Cole E Balsmeier: Hello! My name is Cole Balsmeier, and last year I got to study at the University of Jaen in Spain. While I was there I got to research the effects of atmospheric contamination on endangered species, soil and rain in Southern Spain.

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Cole E Balsmeier: My major here at Nau is biology, and my IGP major is Spanish. When I wasn't in class or in the laboratory, you could find me rock climbing or exploring high-end and trying new foods. Another thing I got to do while I was there was learn a new dialect that I hadn't heard of before.

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Cole E Balsmeier: The dialect. The dialect there was called Andaluz. It's called this because it's located in the Andalusian region in the southern portion of Spain.

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Cole E Balsmeier: An example of this is the aspiration of the S. Sound at the end of words with Ss on them. Sometimes the relaxation is so hard on the sound of the Yes that it sounds like an H, or it even disappears completely.

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Cole E Balsmeier: Fun. Fact about Jaen is that it's the olive oil, olive oil capital of the world.

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Cole E Balsmeier: and they generate over 17,600,000 gallons of olive oil annually. On the bottom left you can see a picture I took from my apartment of the sunset.

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Cole E Balsmeier: and on the right you can see 2 photos of the cathedral, one during Christmas and the other with a good view of the old Town City Center.

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Cole E Balsmeier: My contribution to the project. And why was this project's important. I contributed to the project by helping analyze and record data for the samples that we took from the field.

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Cole E Balsmeier: Also, while we were there, we analyzed over 2,000 samples.

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Cole E Balsmeier: This contributed the project by helping speed up their process and helping getting more more samples done than they had previously had done.

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Cole E Balsmeier: On the bottom right you can see our laboratory setup, and on the left you can see all the soil we brought back from the field, which we then process

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Cole E Balsmeier: and then take to the lab to go into testing? Why is this important while we can take this numerical data that we take from plants and soil and help send it to government policies around the world.

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Cole E Balsmeier: This would help specifically Spain. Given that, we were setting the Strait of Gibraltar. and we can then show the impact that the Strait of Gibraltar has on the southern portion of Spain.

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Cole E Balsmeier: If you guys enjoyed this material and would like to learn more about what I did while I was there. Please feel free to come, see me at summit and ask as many questions as you'd like. Thank you.

Digital Poster