Baby's First Steps - Section A

May 5th, 2025


Summary:

Monday was a big day for project development. We divided into multiple teams to cover all of our bases: microbes, enclosure construction, flowers, and methods. Team microbes, led by Marshall, began culturing our bacteria and yeast for the nectar solutions. The enclosure team constructed the flight cage for the experiment using PVC pipes and mesh. Sam graciously drove some of the flower team to various Michael’s to hunt down our supplies while the rest stayed behind to construct and test out different prototypes. And finally, the methods team put together a solid plan for our trials so that we are ready to begin! Everyone’s combined effort made it a very productive class and we got a lot finalized.


Shoutouts:

Chloe – for being an amazing MC!

Sam – for driving and coordinating the supply run

+ those who stayed behind after class to finish the flight cage construction!


Time table:

10:00 - 10:15 AM: Morning debrief, split into respective teams

10:15 AM - 1:40 PM: Split off into groups for separate projects

  • Flower team:

    • Half went to Michael’s in Woodland and Elk Grove to pick up supplies

    • Half worked on prototypes for flowers using different sizes tubes/pipette tips

  • Microbes team: Made nectar solution (20% sugar with added amino acids) and practiced counting yeast in an inoculated nectar solution with Marshall. Also determined a basic timeline for making the inoculated nectar solution for when trials begin.

  • Methods team: Finalized our treatment groups and experimental set-up with Adrian

  • Enclosure team: Constructed the flight cage we will be using for the experiment. Measured out PVC pipes, numbered the joints, cut out mesh, and assembled it all together! 

  • 12:00 - 12:15 PM: Flower and methods team met up with Felicity at the BOG to ask her questions about using artificial flowers and working with butterflies 

  • 1:00-1:40 PM: Flower team returned with supplies and construction of flowers began

1:40-1:50 PM: Reconvened to go over the plan for next class!  


Pictures:

Enclosure team – 



Measuring + assembling PVC Pipes

Cutting mesh


(almost) finished product!


Flower team - 


Trip to Michael’s


Cutting out flowers


Initial prototype and Yerba Santa (flower model)


Reminders:

  1. R5 is due on Friday

  2. Mid-quarter assessments are going on this week

  3. Check the Slack for important information regarding Friday + weekend activities to keep our research on track

    1. A small group is catching butterflies early Friday morning

    2. A group is going out on Sunday to catch more butterflies


Tentative Schedule for Friday, 5/9:

8 - 11 AM: Small group goes to Cahill early to catch butterflies

10 - 10:15 AM: Short debrief to go over the plan for the day

10:15 - 11:40 AM: Split into groups – 

  • Flower team: Construct ~100 flowers for trials

  • Methods team: Finalize flower arrangements on arrays, potentially help out flower team

  • Microbes team: Check on cultures

11:00 - 11:40 AM: Butterfly team puts butterflies in cage and implement methods for keeping them alive (fingers crossed)

11:40 - 11:50 AM: Shiv sets goals for next class


See you all Friday!!




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