Exceptional Presentations by Honors Inquiry Students

The corals, on which environments and humans heavily depend, are in danger today from rising ocean temperatures, viral disease, radiation, and pollution (Parks, 2008). Human activity directly threatens between 50% and 70% of coral reefs today (Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999). In recognizing the high human dependence on coral, both for the touristic and fishery industries, this inquiry studied the threat sunscreen poses on corals (Wise, 2009). In preliminarily investigating the biology of the coral, the study clarified coral as creatures with symbiotic Zooxanthellae that provide nutrients through photosynthesis and leave the coral when threatened by rising water temperature or acidity (Tibbetts, 2008). Coral bleaching occurs when these Zooxanthellae, and their colorful pigment, leave the coral and thus leave the animal without color, thus the term “coral bleaching” (Tibbetts, 2008). Today, rising ocean temperatures and acidity, pollution, and disease pose threats to corals; one such threat is sunscreen (Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999). 80% of Caribbean reefs have been lost to toxins, such as the oxybenzone that composes commercial chemical sunscreens (Wise, 2009). Other chemical factors of sunscreen, such as copper ions, cyanide, herbicides, and pesticides also induce coral bleaching (Hoegh-Guldberg, 1999). This inquiry concluded that: firstly, humans are heavily dependent on corals; secondly, corals are in danger, partly by human activity; and thirdly, one such human activity is sunscreen. Sunscreen poses a threat to corals as a viral-infection and coral bleaching enabler. This evidence makes imperative a solution to climate change and calls for an alternative to the sunscreen that enables coral bleaching.

For my Honors Independent Project, I researched the use of drones and remote sensing in the agricultural industry. Most people know drones today as small buzzing quadcopters that take aerial photos and videos. However, drones have much more to offer than a new camera angle. Agricultural drones have the capability to significantly increase yields and prevent blights for the farming industry. In my experiential component, I used Photoscan to convert a series of images taken from a small drone and create 3D models of the topology along the Devil's River in Southwest Texas.

Sydney Schiro
For my inquiry project, I wanted to touch on something that is extremely important to me: beauty standards. I believe women in today's society constantly feel pressure to "fit in" or look a certain way, and I have personally felt this pressure. I truly believe that if women realized how unattainable modern beauty standards are, they would feel less pressure to meet them. Thus, I desire, through my research, to prove the impossible nature of these standards. For example, the "ideal women" in Western culture is far below the average weight of women and far above the average height. Once we realize how unfeasible these standards are, we will have a sense of solidarity, and hopefully begin to support one another. I long for the day when strong women support strong women. For my experimental component, I created a blog and made different posts about specific beauty standards. With the overarching question of, "Are beauty standards universally defined or culture-specific?", I was able to delve into beauty standards all over the world and compare them to those in America.