Marine Chemistry is a four-year extracurricular scientific research program for highly capable and motivated students. Students are invited to join the program during the 8th grade. After completing lab practicals, testing the water of the Puget Sound, counting endless numbers of plankton, and learning to scuba dive together, seniors present a project that they have been working on for the past two years. The students can choose any topic to research, not just marine chemistry. This presentation is the final hurrah of the Marine Chemistry students, and it is a cumulation of everything that they have learned in the class together.

Senior Zoey Suarez said, “This program really has been one of the highlights of my high school career— I’ve learned so much, not only about my project, but also about hard work and perseverance, and I made some really great friends through it too.”

This year the projects were presented on Feb. 1 and 8. Topics included “Understanding Triggers of Diel Veritcal Migration in Pleuromamma xiphias Using Proteomic Analysis” by Ali Lo; “The Effect of Plastic Composition on the Recruitment of Marine Microbial Communities” by Audrey Pentimonti; “Measuring Physical and Biological Parameters of a Newly Constructed Tide Pool at Titlow Marine Preserve” by Claudia Modarelli and Dylan Rivers; “Determining the Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus in Geese Feces” by Isabella Bethke and Alyssa Gries; “Construction of a Closed Recirculating Water System to Raise Puget Sound Crab Megalopae for the Development of a Photographic Key” by Max Bessler and Jack Witecki; “Determining Whether White or Green Light is More Effective at Attracting Zooplankton by Designing and Engineering Plankton Light Traps” by Jacob Gold;“The Bioaccumulation of Arsenic by Aquatic Insects Found in South King County Lakes” by Kyle Manke and Kane Vu; “Development of a Buoy-Deployed Eelgrass (Zostera Marina) Seed Dispersal System” by Lucas Pierson; “Examining Environmental Composition in Order to Develop a Sufficient Replacement for the Titlow Marine Preserve Pilings” by Max Gross Shader and JJ McMonigal; “Determining the Viability of Uterine Tissue Rinses for Clinical Testing of Abnormal Pregnancies using the Microbiome” by Sarah Chow and Zoey Suarez and “The Effect of Tempo on Heart Rate and Respiration in Shelter and Surgery Cats” by Sydney Gillette and Rey Kistler.

After four years together, the seniors of the class have bonded more than they could have ever imagined when meeting in the 8th grade.
Senior Isabella Bethke said, “It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling now that it’s over, because while I’m glad to be done with the stress of my senior project, I am going to miss not seeing my Marine Chem classmates as often.”  Senior Kane Vu agreed with Bethke and said, “I’m sad it’s over. I’m going to miss all the amazing people, Dave’s van especially.”

Likewise, senior Dylan Rivers said, “The most important thing Marine Chem gave me was a community. I’m not sad that the project is over, relieved even, but I’m going to miss diving together and spending time with people who I can relate to. Marine Chem is like a tiny family, I love them, and it makes me proud to see my friends present. I’m going to miss it.”