Student Info
Name: Weaver, Colton A
Term: Spring 2018
Credits: 16
Title: Lacewing and Nematode Rearing
Contact Info
Sponsor name: David Muehleison
Subcontractor
Name: Angelos Katsanis
Program Description
Narrative: For this contract, Lacewing and Nematode Rearing, the student will rear Green Lacewings (Chrysoperla spp.) and entomopathogenic nematodes. They will also learn how to rear lady beetles for research by studying under Angelos Katsanis. Each rearing process will include creating secure enclosures and maintaining their diets and light cycles. After the lacewings and nematodes are reared to maturity, the student will learn how to most effectively deploy them. Additionally, the student will learn foundational skills in Adobe InDesign, which will be used to organize a book in collaboration with Practice of Organic Farming students. Each week, they will attend seminar to discuss each week’s reading and writing assignment. Readings include Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States by James C. Scott, The Lucky Peach, and Insect Bioecology and Nutrition for Integrated Pest Management.
| Learning Objectives | Activities that will help me to attain this objective | What my sponsor will evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| To rear Chrysoperla spp. from egg to adulthood, using the protocol I developed last quarter. | I will create lacewing enclosures, and rear them using the protocol I compiled last quarter. This will require care throughout different life stages. I will also learn how to best store and transport them during each life stage, and learn how to apply them to crops during each life cycle. Additionally, I will continue to research articles and literature on how to better carry out this task, and prepare a report on rearing practices. | My Eportfolio, and field notebook, which will document the process. Additionally, the lacewing enclosures and reared insects, and a report about the process and general rearing practices. |
| To rear entomopathegenic nematodes (Steinernema spp), and learn how to apply them with a backpack sprayer. | I will infect wax moth larvae with juvenile nematodes, and use a white trap technique to concentrate them into solution. This will involve creating enclosures, overseeing them throughout their life cycles, and transporting and storing the nematodes. I will also learn how to apply the nematodes in the field. | My Eportfolio, field notebook, as well as successfully reared nematodes and their enclosures. Additionally, I will include a report on best rearing practices for nematodes, and how they function in their ecosystems. |
| Participation in the Tuesday seminar, to engage in discussion with peers and faculty. | In class participation, discussion, and writing assignments about our seminar texts. | My Eportfolio, field notebook, and written assignments. |
| To learn Adobe InDesign, and edit together a collection of letters from POF students, in response to the book Letters to a Young Farmer. | I will use Lynda.com and other online resources to become proficient in Adobe InDesign, which I will then use to compile and format POF student’s responses. | My Eportfolio, field notebook, and collaboration on the completed book. |
| To learn how to rear lady beetles for scientific research, by assisting Angelos in their rearing and observation. | I will assist Angelos in rearing different lady beetle species for research. | My eportfolio and field notebook. |
Evaluation of Work
- The student will complete all assignments as described on the syllabus, including weekly documentation of the ePortfolio on the Project pages of the SOS: Food and Ag program website. Required components of the ePortfolio, as templated, include: approved ILC description; weekly post; log of activities and hours; map; image gallery, and bibliography. Because the student’s in-program ILC project requires–or would benefit from–a field supervisor (required for internships), subcontractor (required for upper division science credit), or mentor, the student should provide the faculty with a field supervisor, subcontractor, or mentor’s descriptive assessment of in-program ILC work completed with their guidance, expertise, or supervision by Thursday noon of week 10. This assessment should be discussed between the student and the field supervisor, subcontractor, or mentor, then provided on professional letterhead as an attached .doc file with current contact information directly to the appropriate faculty sponsor through email (williasa@evergreen.edu or muehleisen@evergreen.edu ). The student should complete comprehensive mid-quarter and final narrative self-evaluations and submit them to faculty at mid-quarter and prior to their final, end of quarter student-faculty conference. For the final presentation each student will post and, when possible, present in class on Tuesday of week 10, a ten-minute PowerPoint (Keynote, Google Slides) presentation of 10-15 slides with text that demonstrates the highlights of the student’s in-program ILC Project. Note: As a “best of the student’s ePortfolio” this presentation should not be about the creation of new material, but rather the final presentation should assemble and tell the story of existing material regarding the student’s in-program ILC project. All students must update their Academic Statement yearly; graduating seniors are encouraged to work on revisions to their final Academic Statement with faculty prior to the final evaluation conference.