Science NIE ACTIVITY Science Matters!

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MATTERS!
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Science and Engineering.
For more information, visit www.ctcase.org
or call 860.571.7143.
… IN CONNECTICUT
By Janine Kerr, Danbury High School Senior

Battling
Milfoil Weevil
WORDS TO KNOW
Invasive Invasive species – an organism that is not native
and has negative effects on our economy, our
Species, environment, or our health
Biologically Ecological – relating to the relation of living organisms to
one another and to their physical surroundings
Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) is an invasive species of aquatic plant that grows in
thick mats with stems that can grow up to three meters long. It grows and spreads Herbicides – chemicals that kill plants
rapidly, crowding out native plants, which poses a serious ecological problem. These
plants can also interfere with recreational activities like swimming, fishing and boating. Biological Control – the control of a pest by the
Have you ever tried to motor a boat through a lake clogged with weeds? introduction of a natural enemy or predator
Since its accidental introduction into the United States in the 1940’s, EWM has been
found in almost every state. Present methods of control include the use of dangerous Economically – in a way that involves careful use
chemical herbicides. These herbicides are a problem because they kill the intended of money or resources
species along with many other plants and freshwater insects, pollute waterways, and
are very expensive to apply. My experiments dealt with a solution for this problem
by using a method known as biological control. My approach was to control EWM
using milfoil weevils - small native aquatic insects - that feed on it. These insects are
already found in many bodies of water in the United States. The idea was to increase Meet the Scientist
the number of weevils so they could effectively destroy the EWM without causing any I’m currently a senior at Danbury High School, but even at a young age I always loved
pollution or killing any other species. To do my experiments I used EWM from a local nature and the outdoors. I spent most of my childhood in the woods and catching frogs,
reservoir and grew it in fish tanks, then added weevils to the tanks and observed the
plant’s growth over a month. I also added herbicide to another tank with EWM and which is how I knew I wanted to do projects in environmental science. I’ve done many
a native plant species. The weevils were very effective in controlling EWM growth. different projects over the years, but my favorite ones had to do with solving problems
In the fish tanks where I added the herbicide, all of the plants died. This experiment that affected the environment around me in Connecticut. Outside of science, I love
shows that biological control using milfoil weevils is a promising approach towards playing soccer and basketball, dancing, and going to the beach.
controlling the growth of this ecologically dangerous and economically threatening
invasive species.

Helpful Hyperlinks:
Skills and Knowledge:
Informative Videos
Environmental research generally involves working outdoors with nature. Professional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnp7CmKCPd8
scientists in this area often go to college to study biology or ecology, and have a
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjxWe5brACE
basic knowledge about how living things work and affect each other. To work in
environmental science you definitely have to enjoy the outdoors and can’t be scared
of a few creepy-crawlies, although there is indoor lab work as well. If you are looking Link to CT Invasive Aquatic Plant Program
to do a project and your parents don’t have any knowledge in this area of science, http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2799&q=376972&caesNav=|
check with a teacher and/or try and find a mentor that will help you get started, or
For Students and teachers Making Curriculum Connections
look at previous projects online for ideas.
Common Core State Standards (CCSS): Mathematics
Connecticut State Department of Education: Science Framework http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q-320872
http:www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320890 • CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
• Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena. • CCSS.Math.Practice.MP3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
• Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data collection, analysis and interpretation. • CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4 Model with mathematics
• Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by colleagues and other scientists. • CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5 Use appropriate tools strategically