Capstone Experiences

Sweat It Out: A Study of the Impact of Sports on Concentration
Paloma '24

Throughout the school year, students spend a significant amount of time being unproductive while they study. This leads to people worrying about their classes, being overwhelmed, exhausted, and stressed out. In order to help students, this research analyzes how aerobic exercise is beneficial for our concentration. A group of 16 participants took a letter cancellation test before and after doing physical activity, and the results expected were that people would perform better on the tests after doing aerobic exercise, which, in this case, was jogging for 10 minutes. After the data was analyzed, the results showed significant positive impact, proving that people tend to perform better after doing aerobic exercise.

Antimicrobial Resistance: Bacteriophages and Their Role in Our Future as a Species
Leah '24

As our world progresses in medicinal discoveries, the diseases we fight progress, too, sometimes too fast for us to retaliate. Antimicrobial resistance has been a massive issue recently as pathogens develop and mutate to fight us and the drugs meant to kill them. However, there are ways to combat antimicrobial resistance that are evolving to target specific pathogenic threats. One of these new remedies is phage therapy. I used bacteriophages for my research project in different dilutions to test them against Escherichia coli K12. The bacteriophage that I used is phage T4, which targets only E.coli K12 and no other strains of bacteria. Phages work by injecting viral DNA into a bacteria through a capsid and using the body of the bacteria to produce phages. For my project, I used bacteriophage T4 to show how different dilutions of the phage affected the bacteria by lysing different zones on a bacterial lawn with 10 ul of diluted phage. Results from multiple different trials reported that the most effective dilutions for the efficiency of the phage are 10-5 and 10-6, which are the dilutions that contained the least number of colonies and the strongest plaques.

Killer Fashion: The Study of Antimicrobial Properties of Natural Fabrics Against K-12 E. coli
Selena '24

Microorganisms can adhere to fabric and thrive due to the moisture and nutrients that are captured in the woven texture. Microbial growth on fabrics leads to odor and fabric decay. Certain natural fibers have been observed to exhibit antimicrobial activity against certain types of bacteria. This experiment tested bacterial growth on natural fibers. Due to the diverse microorganisms included in the term “microbe,” this paper seeks to specifically analyze the growth of nonvirulent K-12 Escherichia coli. Through the absorption method of the ISO protocol 20743, the growth of K-12 E.coli was analyzed on cotton, linen, wool, and silk fabrics. This experiment aligns with prior research that reports the lack of bacterial growth on wool. Initial findings provide evidence for the potential of antimicrobial properties of silk, as well as the lack of antimicrobial properties of linen and cotton against K-12 E.coli.

Researching Sitting Posture: Program Development and Correlation Study
Ben '24

This research explores the correlation between sitting posture and demographic variables among students at Mercersburg Academy, aiming to identify demographic variables that correlate with bad posture; these demographic variables included age, sex, height, PGA, gaming, and WGPA. Utilizing an open-source sitting posture detection program from Github and Firebase for data collection, the study involved 24 participants to assess posture during a controlled study session. Although correlations were generally weak, notable associations included shorter height and increased computer or phone gaming with poor posture which showed an absolute value of correlation coefficients ranging between 0.10 and 0.15. While not strong enough to recommend definitive interventions, these findings suggest potential directions for improving ergonomic practices in educational settings like Mercersburg Academy, aiming to enhance student well-being and academic performance.

A Plastic Menace: A Qualitative Assessment of Microplastics Within the Greater Mercersburg Area
Andrew '24

Microplastics are defined as plastic polymers with diameters less than 5 mm. Even on a microscopic scale, microplastics in aqueous environments pose significant ecological risks. This study qualitatively investigates the presence of microplastics within the Mercersburg water treatment cycle, encompassing natural aquatic environments (the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek) and infrastructure systems such as tap from Mercersburg Academy and deionized water supplies as a control. Due to the lack of a standardized method for the preparation, collection, and analysis of microplastic samples, this study proposes a novel methodology derived from extensive research. The analytical approach employed Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to examine the microplastic samples collected over five trials. Findings reveal presence of microplastics across all sampled water types, as evidenced by comparable magnitudes in FTIR spectral curves. Trace amounts of plastics were observed in air control samples as well. This consistency highlights a pervasive distribution of microplastics in both natural and infrastructural aquatic environments within the water treatment system as well as underscores the need for further investigation into their sources and ecological impacts. The proposed methodological framework not only advances microplastic research in local water systems but also contributes to the broader field of environmental science by providing a possible replicable technique for future studies.

Dive into Performance: The Difference Between Heart Rate Behavior in Swimmers
Raquel '24

The collection of heart rate data can be used to calculate heart rate zones and measure athletic performance. The Karvonen method is more often used to calculate these zones. This formula used the maximal heart rate calculation, which is more commonly known as 220 minus the age of the subject. Gelish revised this formula to increase the accuracy. The Gelish revised formula is 206.9 - (0.67 x age). For underwater sports, like swimming, it works differently because the heart rate underwater decreases. Kruel designed an aquatic deduction formula to integrate into the Karvonen method. This study uses a formula that combines the mentioned formulas. Which results in (206.9 - (0.67 x age) - resting heart - aquatic deduction) x % of desired intensity = target heart rate. A group of six swimmers at Mercersburg Academy had their heart rate behavior recorded through some practices using a Polar H1 chest band. The study shows some differences in the change of heart rate in athletes.

Coral Cruisin’: Simulating an Aqueous Ecosystem Through the Utilization of the Nitrogen Cycle Within a Reef Tank
Lily '24

The goal of this project was to successfully sustain marine life in a reef tank, using a fishless reef tank cycling process. The cycling process is quite simple, adding ammonium chloride and a nitrification solution to the tank, turning the filter off for 24-48 hours to let the bio filter grow, and then testing until ammonia and nitrite levels change. Over the course of three weeks, the corals were examined and weighed to show the positive growth in the tank.

Crush the Box: A Study of Students’ Consumer Psychology and Shopping Habits
Emily '24

This project aims to address the issue of excessive cardboard box usage on the campus of Mercersburg Academy by examining the consumer psychology behind over-shopping and its impact on local sustainability. Through data collection from the school's mailroom, online bookstore, and campus store, as well as surveys administered to students, the project will investigate the current state of cardboard box usage and its relationship with consumer behavior. By utilizing tools such as the LOHAS (Lifestyle of Health and Sustainability) test and the Authentic Happiness Inventory, the project aims to understand students' shopping habits, lifestyle choices, and levels of satisfaction. The findings will inform the development of strategies to reduce cardboard box usage and promote sustainable practices on campus. Through collaboration with stakeholders and the implementation of proposed solutions, the project seeks to contribute to Mercersburg Academy's sustainability efforts and foster a culture of responsible consumption and production.