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Hello! we are so happy that you have decided to join us on our journey!
Hello! we are so happy that you have decided to join us on our journey!
So far our team has been working on collecting our Russula samples on the weekends and practicing our pitching skills so that our project will be fully approved by October 11th and we can begin our work after fall break.
So far our team has been working on collecting our Russula samples on the weekends and practicing our pitching skills so that our project will be fully approved by October 11th and we can begin our work after fall break.
The Journey Begins
The Journey Begins
Our First Hike
Our First Hike
We took our first collection hike near Winter Park and found a ton of samples. The sky was clear and the weather was warm making for a perfect day for foraying or collecting the mushrooms. All of the samples were found where the ground was wet and muddy, so we ended up with our pants caked in dirt. Overall it was a great day.
Unfortunately when we went to dehydrate our samples about a week later we found that the samples had been contaminated by maggots. We had to throw out all of those samples since they were contaminated, but at least we learned now that the samples must be dehydrated immediately.
3rd Collection Hike
3rd Collection Hike
At the finale of our amazing collection series, our team was unfortunately unable to collect any viable samples of Russula. It appears that we were about one week late to the front range. We actually were able to successfully identify about 5 different Russulas on this hike. Unfortunately, the ones we did find were dried and dead. This meant that the DNA was probably damaged and we would have had a very hard time getting a complete and undamaged sequence, so we decided not to actually collect and of the samples since we would be able to get better preserved samples from the Colorado Mycoflora Project. However, we were able to gain experience in identifying the genus since even though the samples we found were long dead, they still had the same features. Following our unsuccessful hike, we decided to summit Chief Mountain.
Foray with Dr. Wilson
Foray with Dr. Wilson
Camden was able to go on a foray with our mentor, Dr. Andrew Wilson who is working with the Colorado Mycoflora Project. He was very helpful in explaining how exactly to collect and document all of our samples. The weather was warm and the ground was wet, perfect for the fungus to grow.
The samples were collected near the top of Guanella Pass, a scenic byway near Georgetown, Colorado. With the entire group participating in the foray helping us to find Russulas and Dr. Wilson's guidance, we were able to find a ton of samples in only an hour or so. This was the most successful day that we have had in the mountains and we couldn't have asked for it to go any better.
End of the Season
End of the Season
On our 3rd collection hike we were unable to find any viable samples. It seems like we were about a week too late. The aspens have started to turn golden and the air has cooled off. Further North snow has begun to fall and winter is coming soon.
The cool air has caused the fungus to die off now, so our hiking for the season is now over. Over the course of this season we were able to successfully complete 3 collection hikes and were able to collect 9 Russula samples on our own(the rest will be coming from the Colorado Mycoflora Project). We are looking forward to the next phase of our project, the DNA Extraction.
The Pitch
The Pitch
We presented our project during the beginning of September, to a panel of science teachers, family, and our glorious mentor Dr. Wilson. We have had our project approved, however we are working on our presentation skills to perform the best we can at Science Fair. Once we get our presentation approved, we will move forward starting our research.
Since our pitch we have been working diligently to get our skills approved in order to move in to our pre-trial phase. Preceding this, we will be ordering all of our materials, following our full approval.
Fully Funded!
Fully Funded!
Within a week of our first pitch, our project was already fully funded. We'd like to give a special shout out to the McDonald Family, Mrs. Gibson, and the Science Department for helping to fund our project. We can't wait to start our research!
Catch the team next time, as they tackle the beginning of their research!
Catch the team next time, as they tackle the beginning of their research!
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