Student Research Reports

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This environmental research study was conducted by Shumate Middle School students: Bayle Buvia (Seventh Grade), Muhammed Muheisen (Seventh Grade), Sophia Payne (Seventh Grade), and Alyvia Roll (Seventh Grade). This study is the second phase of our research (see What are the Humidity, Precipitation, and Temperature Conditions Associated with Active Mosquito Season?) that we started during the 2018 - 2019 school year. In our study, we are trying to measure larvae count found on the Shumate Middle School campus in Gibraltar, Michigan (United States of America). Additionally, we were aiming to monitor the genera found to ensure that we do not have mosquitoes that carry the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV). This virus can be carried by the Aedes and Culex species. The time frame for our study was Thursday, October 17, 2019 through Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Overall, we found no mosquito larvae in our retention pond and in our mosquito traps (bottle), this was expected because of the cold conditions here in Wayne County, Michigan during the late fall and winter months. All data utilized in this study was submitted to the GLOBE Program via the GLOBE Observer app. While this data yielded fantastic results for the Shumate Middle School campus and the City of Gibraltar, Michigan, it is still very important to monitor mosquitoes as the EEEV has been spreading across the state of Michigan. Moving forward, our group plans to continue monitoring ponds and mosquito traps. Please see our environmental data collected in this study.