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EXAMPLES OF YSC PROJECTS

FILTER

The Effect of Magnetism on Mung Bean Maturation

Alison

Magnetism is a force that is created when magnets attract and repel each other. When plants are exposed to magnetism, it has been found that the plants have a shorter germination time and are able to grow more than plants that are not exposed to a magnetic field. In order to test this, five groups containing four mung beans are exposed to a magnetic field for different time intervals. The plant growth is measure twice daily and once daily after the growth of the mung beans plateau. This is significant in the agricultural industry, as exposing plants to a magnetic field could yield more crops in a shorter time frame.

Summer 2020

Biology, Environmental Science

Using Bioinformatics to Predict the Efficacy of the Ebola Virus Vaccine

Jasmine

The Ebola virus is a deadly filovirus that has led to disease outbreaks in various countries in recent years. A vaccine for one category of strain of Ebola, Ebola Zaire, has been approved. Through this project, the efficacy of the Ebola virus vaccine was evaluated through measuring how identical the strain in the vaccine is to the strain of virus. We hypothesized that the sequence of the surface protein in the vaccine differs slightly from that of each strain of Ebola, but overall is similar enough to the majority to be significantly effective in the prevention of viral outbreaks. We utilized Blast online tools to analyze the strain used in the current vaccine and its genetic similarity to the 2014 Ebola Zaire virus. The two strains were contrasted and their accession numbers were copied into the NIH Genbank. A Blast was run comparing the sequences of the two strands. We found that the two strains had a 99.95% similarity and were therefore almost identical. The vaccine, therefore, would be quite effective at preventing that strain of Ebola.

Summer 2020

Biology

The Fundamentals of Basic Dental Care: Factors Contributing to Tooth Decay

Amanda

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes and effects of tooth decay. Many people are unaware of how everyday things such as food can impact a person’s oral conditions. However, although certain actions can negatively cause a disturbance to a tooth such as eating acidic foods, many factors also include the person having limitations to resources (relating to their income, class, and other societal factors). By conducting an experiment with eggshells and acidic solutions, we can be able to demonstrate tooth decay and the importance of practicing good dental hygiene, as well as demonstrating how factors in society can also negatively impact the oral health of a person.

Summer 2020

Biology, Public Health

Using Grammar Patterns in Latin Language to Translate Latin More Accurately than Modern Translation Softwares

Sheena

Latin translators that are available to students are infamously inaccurate with most of them not considering the grammatical structure of the sentence. While professionals in the Classics field have access to more complex Latin translators, these advanced resources are not available to students. This is especially important because since Latin is no longer a spoken language, learning Latin at the start is harder with less available resources to students. The availability of a literal Latin translator can help students understand both the general word flow and small nuances of the Latin language, increasing the appeal of the Classics overall. By combining different online resources like the Alpheios Project and the Latin Word Study Tool, a program can be made to more accurately translate Latin text by breaking down sentences and clauses and using algorithms to find each word’s use in the sentence, almost like solving a puzzle. Moreover, by surveying different groups of people involved in the Classics, an assessment can be made about how useful and accurate the Latin translator is to the non-professional Classics community.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Creating a Computer Science Program to Filter Scholarships

Hoang

Output a list of scholarships on the website scholarships.com based on the chosen categories

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Making a Social Media App that Connects High School Clubs

Michelle

Clava is a social-media app that connects clubs within a school and school district together. This allows easier access to knowledge and increases the chance that students will find other students with the same interests. More progress can always be made with people supporting you, and Clava aims to help students find that.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Devising the Ideal Microenvironment to Bioengineer a Liver

Julia

In this experiment, I will test which microenvironment provides the most effective conditions for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to develop into liver cells. To test this, I will look at different soluble factors that could contribute to the success of liver growth from hiPSCs by using the NCBI Gene Database, and examine the relationships and elements these factors possess.

Summer 2020

Biology

Air Pollution and its Effects on Lung Health

Tianyi

It is well known that air pollution has been a huge issue in China for years, thus, leading to various lung diseases and cancer. The United States and some other western counties seem to have better air quality in comparison. However, is the air quality in the United States really better than that in China? And how far is it from being considered heavily polluted? For this project, I will collect air particle samples from two different locations in China as well as in the United States, in order to compare and contrast the air quality and pollution levels in different countries. I will then do research on the long term effects of air pollution on lung health.

Summer 2020

Environmental Science

DNA Extraction of Hydroponic Plants

Alisa & Jean

We will plant spinach's using hydroponics and change the quality of the water and measure the data. Then extract the DNA from the grown spinach, later comparing it to store bought spinach and strawberries.

Summer 2020

Biology

Making a Productivity Website Using Computer Science

Sadhika

Bullet is a productivity website and digital bullet journal that keeps track of the things you need - all in one place. It has a simple, clear UI that enforces a clutter-free workspace. The user can access a daily breakdown and from the menu more options can be accessed.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Geomatic Image Classification App For Responsible Trash Consumption and Production

Caroline

Responsible consumption and production is outlined as the twelfth UN sustainability goal. It is necessary for both businesses and consumers to take responsibility for proper waste disposal in order to achieve global sustainability. Trash handled improperly has devastating effects on the environment which in turn reaps severe, long-lasting consequences such as ecosystem destruction, impacting our drinking water, and climate change. Therefore, it is imperative that data is gathered and accountability is taken for pollution on both supply and demand positions.
This project aims to create a user friendly geomatic app, to gather data about what trash is being thrown out and where. With machine learning and image recognition, user waste and litter found will be sorted into waste management categories and instructions will be provided on how to properly dispose of the item. With said computer vision and categorization, brands will be identified to determine which businesses are environmentally conscious. Furthermore, using geomatics and geofencing strategies to drive location based data, the app aims to provide statistics for municipalities on the who, what, and where’s of public trash.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Galilean Telescope

Khushi

The first telescope introduced to astronomy was the Galilean telescope made by Galileo Galilei. It’s working principle is simply based on the property of lenses to converge and diverge light and magnify the far off objects. It can be used for observing the craters of the moon, and even the moons of Jupiter with a higher magnification.

That's the telescope, a machine as simple as can be, is what we'll be making.

Summer 2020

Engineering, Physics

Identifying Habitable Exoplanets Using Light Curve Data

Meghna

Launched in 2009, the Kepler Space Telescope spent nine years collecting data on the various structures of planetary systems in our region of the Milky Way. One such measurement was the brightness of stars that harbor planetary systems. During transit, a planet in orbit passes in front of a star, and a portion of light is blocked from reaching the Kepler Space Telescope. Then, the amount of brightness measured by Kepler can be constructed into light curve graphs. Thus, by studying the light curve data observed by the Kepler Space Telescope, the existence of new exoplanets can be determined. Furthermore, the length, depth, and frequency of transits can be analyzed in relation to the radius of the host star to identify the impact parameter, radius, and orbital period. When these measurements are compared to Earth’s, certain exoplanets are deemed potentially habitable. This study aims to reexamine these exoplanets using new data that suggests the host stars in these planetary systems are larger than originally concluded. These findings can manifest in an “Earth Two” to relocate to once Earth’s resources are no longer sufficient. These exoplanets can also be seen as an opportunity for other life in our universe, whether it be bacteria or complex multicellular organisms.

Summer 2020

Physics

Correlation between Alzheimer’s Disease and SNPs in the APOE gene

Katherine

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people around the world. Research has shown that it is caused by beta-amyloid plaques that build up in the brain as well as tau protein which form tangles around brain cells. Currently, there is no cure for AD but there are some therapeutic treatments to slow down the process. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a protein that has been associated with Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular diseases because of its role in metabolism of fats in the body. This experiment will use several different databases in order to analyze the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the function of the APOE gene. Specifically, analysis of structure and function of different SNPs that may lead to changes in the gene will be conducted and comparisons between the expression of the APOE4 gene and cognitive impairment will be evaluated to determine their relationship. Using datasets that have the frequency of patients who suffer from AD as well as SNPs that are present in the patient’s genes, visualizations and graphs will be drawn to evaluate the relationship between SNPs and AD. Common SNPs in the APOE gene that may induce late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD) are rs7412, rs429358, and rs769455. The purpose of this research is to understand how these SNPs in APOE correlate to Alzheimer’s Disease and how they may play a role in the production of beta-amyloid plaques. Understanding these concepts is fundamental in getting a better grasp of the functionality of the APOE4 gene in Alzheimer’s and possibilities in new therapeutic treatments.

Summer 2020

Biology

Identifying Native Plants in the New York City Region

Michelle

The history of plants has been mysterious and long forgotten. This study aims to identify the scientific names of collected images of plants using the leaf’s morphological shapes and patterns. (Zhao et al 2015) The names will then be compared to the New York Flora Association and Native Species Planting Guide for New York City ’s database to determine whether the species are native or non-native to New York City. This data will be later used to create a phylogeny to explore the evolutionary relationships and identify any common ancestry. The evolutionary relationships will provide concise information for scientists to draw new conclusions, ranging from plant ancestry to the recovery of endangered species. This study may also contribute to further evaluations of plants that may pose threat to their surroundings.

Summer 2020

Biology

Face Mask Recognition Using TensorFlow

Eva

Masks have been one of the most talked about precautions following the COVID-19 pandemic and are proven to be effective in a variety of ways. Though sometimes inconvenient, they are an important provision as public spaces begin to open up. The availability of face mask detection software can help establishments ensure the safety of the people they serve by recognizing those who are not wearing masks and thus risk further spread of the COVID-19 virus. By importing a “with mask” and “without mask” dataset into a CNN model, a program can be made to separate live webcam images of people wearing masks from those who aren’t. In this model, a Face Mask detection system is built using CNN in a TensorFlow framework. This model could be used to scan people entering a public space and determine whether or not they’re wearing a potentially life saving item.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

The Effect of Tocilizumab on Mutated Version of X Gene

Charlotte

There are billions of people living in this world, all with different genotypes and phenotypes. Everyone’s genome is made of the same building blocks, but yet everyone is so different. SNPs, otherwise known as single nucleotide polymorphisms, are just a part of what accounts for this genetic diversity. These tiny but potentially influential changes in a person’s DNA can possibly change how a patient responds to any one drug. In this project inspired from Science Buddies, I explore how certain SNPs in patients may account for the variability in the responses to the immunosuppressive drug Tocilizumab. I do this by using public databases like NCBI’s dbSNP and tools like nucleotide codons to amino acid charts to determine if just one nucleotide change can cause different proteins and thus a different response in the Tocilizumab pathway in an individual’s body.

Summer 2020

Biology

Assessing energy conservation for marbles of varying densities and surface roughness on a hand built roller coaster

Rohit

Roller coasters are a timeless attraction for people of all ages. The amount of mechanical energy conserved on various points of a roller coaster, specifically a miniature version, can be affected by the magnitude of friction and the mass of a roller coaster cart, or in this case a marble. This paper will discuss how the magnitude of friction and the weight of a marble/cart will impact how much energy is conserved throughout a roller coaster track.

Summer 2020

Engineering, Physics

The use of an algae CO2 filtration system to reduce carbon emissions from transportation

Theresa

In the past century and a half, the air quality has grown less and less healthy as a result of long term use of fossil fuels and human activities which have increased concentrations of greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. According to the EPA, out of all the factors that contribute to carbon emissions, transportation generates the most greenhouse gas emissions (about 28%). Utilizing modern technology, several researchers have developed solutions to reduce carbon emissions from transportation including automotives which run on renewable energy. While other chemical and physical means exist to capture CO2 emissions, these technologies usually require many materials and are too expensive for the average consumer to purchase. To target the main source of the problem, an algae CO2 filtration system can possibly provide a sustainable, material-efficient, and relatively inexpensive alternative to current solutions. It is hypothesized that this system will be able to significantly reduce carbon emissions from transportation. After performing a literature review of existing research related to algae, carbon dioxide filtration, and air filters, the research will be synthesized to create a step by step diagram of how the algae filtration system will work in theory as well as create a conceptual design.

Keywords: Climate change, air pollution, carbon emissions, carbon filter, global warming, environmental pollution, sustainability, sustainable design, algae, environmental engineering

Summer 2020

Engineering, Environmental Science

Developing a Sideline Concussion App with imPACT Score Comparison

Shane

A concussion is a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain caused by traumatic biomechanical forces.The CDC estimates between 1.6 - 3.8 million athletes suffer from sports related concussions each year, of which 300,000 high school athletes account for. With so many impacted by concussions, there is added emphasis on the first line of defense: quickly recognizing the signs and symptoms of a concussion. While assessing athletes directly after impact is very important, it is also difficult especially if the user is not a medical professional. The purpose of this app is to quickly and effectively address an athlete at risk of a concussion by using similar methods which medical professionals in sports medicine use to identify and treat a concussion.The app is intended for use by coaches, parents, or athletic trainers who are near the athlete at the time of the injury. The app will include a quick check assessment for emergency situations, a full assessment with either the SCAT3 testing or SAC testing, sport specific return-to-play procedures, and basic concussion education.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

The Relationship Between Mutations of the P53 Gene and the Prognosis of Cancer

Caroline

The TP53 gene, highly involved with a large range of tasks such as cellular senescence and apoptosis, is a tumor suppressor that acts as a transcription factor at the center of a large network of proteins that ‘sense the health of a cell and its DNA. Previous research has found a relationship between mutated forms of P53 and a poor prognosis after drug treatment. In this study, that relationship will be tested using various databases and drug treatments. We take study further and compare the prognosis of loss-of-function to gain-of-function mutated forms of P53, in order to gain a greater understanding, still relatively general, of the factors that determine the level of drug resistance that may result from the modifications in both the anti-proliferative and proapoptotic balance.

Summer 2020

Biology

The Effect of Magnetism on Mung Bean Maturation

Alison

Magnetism is a force that is created when magnets attract and repel each other. When plants are exposed to magnetism, it has been found that the plants have a shorter germination time and are able to grow more than plants that are not exposed to a magnetic field. In order to test this, five groups containing four mung beans are exposed to a magnetic field for different time intervals. The plant growth is measure twice daily and once daily after the growth of the mung beans plateau. This is significant in the agricultural industry, as exposing plants to a magnetic field could yield more crops in a shorter time frame.

Summer 2020

Biology, Environmental Science

Using Bioinformatics to Predict the Efficacy of the Ebola Virus Vaccine

Jasmine

The Ebola virus is a deadly filovirus that has led to disease outbreaks in various countries in recent years. A vaccine for one category of strain of Ebola, Ebola Zaire, has been approved. Through this project, the efficacy of the Ebola virus vaccine was evaluated through measuring how identical the strain in the vaccine is to the strain of virus. We hypothesized that the sequence of the surface protein in the vaccine differs slightly from that of each strain of Ebola, but overall is similar enough to the majority to be significantly effective in the prevention of viral outbreaks. We utilized Blast online tools to analyze the strain used in the current vaccine and its genetic similarity to the 2014 Ebola Zaire virus. The two strains were contrasted and their accession numbers were copied into the NIH Genbank. A Blast was run comparing the sequences of the two strands. We found that the two strains had a 99.95% similarity and were therefore almost identical. The vaccine, therefore, would be quite effective at preventing that strain of Ebola.

Summer 2020

Biology

The Fundamentals of Basic Dental Care: Factors Contributing to Tooth Decay

Amanda

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes and effects of tooth decay. Many people are unaware of how everyday things such as food can impact a person’s oral conditions. However, although certain actions can negatively cause a disturbance to a tooth such as eating acidic foods, many factors also include the person having limitations to resources (relating to their income, class, and other societal factors). By conducting an experiment with eggshells and acidic solutions, we can be able to demonstrate tooth decay and the importance of practicing good dental hygiene, as well as demonstrating how factors in society can also negatively impact the oral health of a person.

Summer 2020

Biology, Public Health

Using Grammar Patterns in Latin Language to Translate Latin More Accurately than Modern Translation Softwares

Sheena

Latin translators that are available to students are infamously inaccurate with most of them not considering the grammatical structure of the sentence. While professionals in the Classics field have access to more complex Latin translators, these advanced resources are not available to students. This is especially important because since Latin is no longer a spoken language, learning Latin at the start is harder with less available resources to students. The availability of a literal Latin translator can help students understand both the general word flow and small nuances of the Latin language, increasing the appeal of the Classics overall. By combining different online resources like the Alpheios Project and the Latin Word Study Tool, a program can be made to more accurately translate Latin text by breaking down sentences and clauses and using algorithms to find each word’s use in the sentence, almost like solving a puzzle. Moreover, by surveying different groups of people involved in the Classics, an assessment can be made about how useful and accurate the Latin translator is to the non-professional Classics community.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Creating a Computer Science Program to Filter Scholarships

Hoang

Output a list of scholarships on the website scholarships.com based on the chosen categories

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Making a Social Media App that Connects High School Clubs

Michelle

Clava is a social-media app that connects clubs within a school and school district together. This allows easier access to knowledge and increases the chance that students will find other students with the same interests. More progress can always be made with people supporting you, and Clava aims to help students find that.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Devising the Ideal Microenvironment to Bioengineer a Liver

Julia

In this experiment, I will test which microenvironment provides the most effective conditions for human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to develop into liver cells. To test this, I will look at different soluble factors that could contribute to the success of liver growth from hiPSCs by using the NCBI Gene Database, and examine the relationships and elements these factors possess.

Summer 2020

Biology

Air Pollution and its Effects on Lung Health

Tianyi

It is well known that air pollution has been a huge issue in China for years, thus, leading to various lung diseases and cancer. The United States and some other western counties seem to have better air quality in comparison. However, is the air quality in the United States really better than that in China? And how far is it from being considered heavily polluted? For this project, I will collect air particle samples from two different locations in China as well as in the United States, in order to compare and contrast the air quality and pollution levels in different countries. I will then do research on the long term effects of air pollution on lung health.

Summer 2020

Environmental Science

Drug Resistance in Bacteria using Antibiotics

Kathy & Vicky

We looked into the relationship between drug resistance and antibiotics.

Summer 2020

Biology

DNA Extraction of Hydroponic Plants

Alisa & Jean

We will plant spinach's using hydroponics and change the quality of the water and measure the data. Then extract the DNA from the grown spinach, later comparing it to store bought spinach and strawberries.

Summer 2020

Biology

Making a Productivity Website Using Computer Science

Sadhika

Bullet is a productivity website and digital bullet journal that keeps track of the things you need - all in one place. It has a simple, clear UI that enforces a clutter-free workspace. The user can access a daily breakdown and from the menu more options can be accessed.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

Geomatic Image Classification App For Responsible Trash Consumption and Production

Caroline

Responsible consumption and production is outlined as the twelfth UN sustainability goal. It is necessary for both businesses and consumers to take responsibility for proper waste disposal in order to achieve global sustainability. Trash handled improperly has devastating effects on the environment which in turn reaps severe, long-lasting consequences such as ecosystem destruction, impacting our drinking water, and climate change. Therefore, it is imperative that data is gathered and accountability is taken for pollution on both supply and demand positions.
This project aims to create a user friendly geomatic app, to gather data about what trash is being thrown out and where. With machine learning and image recognition, user waste and litter found will be sorted into waste management categories and instructions will be provided on how to properly dispose of the item. With said computer vision and categorization, brands will be identified to determine which businesses are environmentally conscious. Furthermore, using geomatics and geofencing strategies to drive location based data, the app aims to provide statistics for municipalities on the who, what, and where’s of public trash.

Summer 2020

Computer Science

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