Research Program
WMSA students have the opportunity to conduct original research under faculty mentorship. Our research program teaches students how to ask questions, design experiments, analyze data, and communicate findings.
The Research Process
Question Development
Students learn to identify interesting questions, review existing literature, and formulate testable hypotheses.
Experimental Design
Students design controlled experiments, identify variables, plan data collection, and consider potential limitations.
Data Collection & Analysis
Students conduct experiments, collect data carefully, analyze results using appropriate methods, and draw conclusions.
Communication
Students present findings through written reports, posters, and oral presentations, learning scientific communication.
Student Research Showcase
Examples of student research projects from prior programs connected to WMSA leadership.
Diet, Activity, and Fertility in Drosophila
Research Question
How does a high-fat diet affect body weight, movement, and fertility in fruit flies?
Key Finding
A high-fat diet reduced locomotor activity and fertility, and some effects appeared to persist into the next generation.
Skills Developed
Experimental design, biological analysis, data interpretation, poster presentation
Gut Microbiome and Memory in Harvester Ants
Research Question
Does gut microbiome disruption affect memory performance in ants?
Key Finding
Ants with disrupted gut bacteria showed weaker performance in maze-based memory tasks.
Skills Developed
Behavioral testing, microbiology concepts, data collection, scientific communication
Electrical Signaling in Venus Flytraps
Research Question
How do nutrient conditions relate to action potentials and trap behavior in Venus flytraps?
Key Finding
Differences in nutrient conditions were associated with differences in electrical signaling patterns and trap behavior.
Skills Developed
Plant physiology, quantitative reasoning, data interpretation, research presentation
Navigation Behavior in Physarum
Research Question
How do mutations affect movement and navigation in Physarum polycephalum?
Key Finding
Different mutant lines showed altered foraging and navigation behavior, suggesting biological control of movement patterns.
Skills Developed
Observation, phenotype characterization, experimental design, biological inference
Science Fair Preparation
Students who complete research projects are prepared to present at regional and state science fairs. Our program follows ISEF guidelines and prepares students for the expectations of competitive science fair presentation.
Prior program students have achieved 1st and 2nd place finishes at Los Angeles Science Fair and have followed the ISEF qualification pathway.
Faculty Mentorship
Each research student works with a faculty mentor who guides the project from conception through completion. Mentors help students develop their questions, troubleshoot experiments, and prepare for presentation.
Research mentorship is integrated with our science curriculum, building on the laboratory skills and scientific reasoning developed in regular coursework.