You should now have a pretty good idea of what a field research experience can be like.  Of course it doesn't end there, as the scientists and undergraduate researchers will try to answer questions that have never been answered before.  They do that by making observations of their own and looking at what is already known about their topic of interest.  They then figure out what unsolved puzzles interest them and develop a question that can be answered by carrying out a controlled study.  Then they try to fill in the gaps by finding out new information through the design of controlled experiments.

The GSMNP team began the research project with some idea of the questions that they would be trying to answer.  Those questions are refined as the bark specimens are cultured, lichens are identified, and the insects are sorted to order and counted.  Dr. Keller will work with student assistants to culture the bark samples and record the myxomycetes present.  Doctors Ely, Tonsberg, and Lumbsch will work on identification of lichens, and Dr. Ely will also organize the environmental data collected with the HOBOs.  Dr. Wilson will identify and sort insects, with a special focus on the planthoppers.

The GSMNP research individuals will be deciding on questions to answer such as:

• “What is the effect of species of tree on the number of myxomycete species cultured from the bark?”

• “What is the effect of tree species on the number and diversity of insect species captured in a canopy trap?”

•  “What is the effect of bark pH on the diversity of lichens present?”

...And every good researcher must share his, or her, findings.  The scientists, along with the students working with them, will write articles, present at conferences, and share the data with others.  Click here to read what Dr. Keller has written about some of the findings from a trip to the GSMNP in 2000.   Click here to view the inventory of slime molds  recorded for the GSMNP.

You will now join your teacher and classmates to prepare for, and participate in, a research project of your own.  Maybe your teacher has even selected a local site for you to explore and collect specimens from.  It may be right there on school grounds or maybe a local natural area. Maybe you will have the opportunity to help with research of a scientist like Dr. Keller. Either way, be sure to enjoy this chance to be a part of scientific research!

Click on the button when your class is ready to move on to your local research project.