“What are the differences between the wild-type and genetically modified Arabidopsis plants?” “How do the possible effects of the stressors compare with the data we’ve collected?”
These are some of the questions students enrolled in biotechnology classes at BRVGS asked themselves during the fall semester. Students conducted research under the tutelage of their BRVGS AP Biology teachers and Dr. David Lally from the Fralin Biotechnology Center at Virginia Tech. “This was pretty cool because I had never done an experiment that I already didn’t know the answer to,” said Emily Butterworth, a student at Madison County High School.
Data such as rosette width, bolt height, and reproductive yield was collected on wild and mutant experimental and control groups. Students conducted the experiments, collected data, and analyzed and published their findings. The culminating event was presentation of their work at a seven-county forum for peers, parents, educators, guests, and a panel of judges on November 22.