tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40186126888732743052024-03-13T11:31:21.838-07:00S-STEM Scholar Alexis Almazan's BlogAmanda Chapmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16951554565276475785noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-22383127838429941562016-10-18T14:09:00.000-07:002016-10-18T14:10:08.824-07:00Changes Made to the Robot During Summer 2016 Coming back to STEM means continuing my build on my robot that will be competing with a couple others from our club this November 5th at a competition at Embry-Riddle. Until the start of the new STEM semester there was a fellow intern working on my robot that had joined the robotics club recently his name is Brian. He made some very nice changes to the robot one of the major ones by changing out the wheels to some very larger ones making the robot able to strafe (the ability to make the robot move side to side without moving up or down). This new addition to the robot will help us very much in the competition by saving us time. Instead of having to adjust the robot to knock over the stars on the wall in the center of the field, we can simply move the robot horizontally to be in the same distance away every time making the robot knock down these stars faster than our opponent giving us the upper hand in the beginning of the competition. I was working with the robot this past week and it seems the front two wheels are powered by a stronger motor/ high speed motor making the strafing uneven. This was a simple fix by making all the motors high speed making it a nice straight horizontal move. Brian is working on the second part of the competition which is being able to pick up and launch the stars over the bar which is a very difficult task but he will make it work. Below is how our wheels are set up to make the robot able to strafe. We make each wheel on both sides go opposite directions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNEyRTphA30/WAaOuvztctI/AAAAAAAAAMM/8jwDHong2TgltEDqGQZYZ6SwcG7NeOKsgCLcB/s1600/vex%2Brobot.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNEyRTphA30/WAaOuvztctI/AAAAAAAAAMM/8jwDHong2TgltEDqGQZYZ6SwcG7NeOKsgCLcB/s320/vex%2Brobot.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-8396774810635443852016-10-06T11:37:00.001-07:002016-10-18T14:10:16.882-07:00New Semester at S-STEM Fall 2016 VEX STARSTRUCKThis is the first week back at STEM Fall 2016 and I've heard there's a lot of new people in the internship. I was unfortunately unable to attend the first mandatory meeting due to some car issues but hopefully I'm able to meet everyone or at least chat with them through our blogs and discussion boards.This internship is a great place to connect with students and faculty that are in similar fields as you are and really grow your circle that will aid you further in your career. This is going to be my third semester here at the STEM program and I'm thrilled to still be in this program. I've been working with Josh in robotics building robots and competing them in competitions throughout the year. I started working with robotics last semester and I'm hooked on them. I've heard there's a lot of new people in robotics as well, which is a whole separate club on its own, and I'm hoping to meet them soon. I was also here during the summer working on a new robot for a new VEX competition called STARSTRUCK if anyone is interested you should definitely look it up, it's like a giant game of jacks but with robots. The robot I'm working on will have to pick up giant stars and throw them over a wall to the opponents side which is pretty much the concept of the game. This all sounds very easy in words but having to plan and actually build a robot from scratch can be very tedious. Building robots takes a lot of patience because you have to keep adjusting the robot until it does its function every time flawlessly. Not only that but you the builder have to be confident in controlling the robot and knowing everything that it will do. This semester is going to be great I hope to meet all the STEM interns in the near future I wish you all the best of luck. Below is a picture of the playing field for VEX Starstruck.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3zZYFb4OWY/V_aZo8Qma3I/AAAAAAAAAL0/KzPewLTCXi0ubKwDCatvGylp7gB7GVBEQCLcB/s1600/starstruck.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3zZYFb4OWY/V_aZo8Qma3I/AAAAAAAAAL0/KzPewLTCXi0ubKwDCatvGylp7gB7GVBEQCLcB/s1600/starstruck.png" /></a></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8saMWjFYl5Y/V_aZoF-w3RI/AAAAAAAAALw/c9Y5wdJk9UIx1szj1R1f1xFOym2jVvt5wCLcB/s1600/ChjzMvEUgAIGoPX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8saMWjFYl5Y/V_aZoF-w3RI/AAAAAAAAALw/c9Y5wdJk9UIx1szj1R1f1xFOym2jVvt5wCLcB/s640/ChjzMvEUgAIGoPX.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-72268756704644562762016-05-05T10:41:00.001-07:002016-05-05T10:41:07.613-07:00Tearing a Robot Down to Start Designing a New OneThis week in the STEM program as the semester comes to an end so does my robot that I built this whole semester. I had to tear the robot apart that I worked so hard on this semester today and it was sad it hurt. It's funny how I worked hard building this robot this whole semester but I managed to pull it all apart in an hour. The reason for me having to start from scratch with a new design for a robot is because the next VEX robotics competition has totally changed. It's no longer shooting balls into goals but its picking up huge jacks and throwing them over a wall. My robot with the current design was not going to be able to perform the task and it was way too small. Now I will start brainstorming a design for this next competition to work on the next semester. The competition looks like a lot of fun and it's going to be a challenge to build this robot but I'll keep you guys updated. Here are some pictures of before and after of the robot tear down. You can see that yellow jack and the size of it in the picture. This next game will also have an orange square beanbag that you can toss over the wall which you can see a part of it next to Josh.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8LLy2IkF8I/VyuFH1SV_HI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rTEjIwNUb78EYdVXIiUipnwygPdgmc9WQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z8LLy2IkF8I/VyuFH1SV_HI/AAAAAAAAALQ/rTEjIwNUb78EYdVXIiUipnwygPdgmc9WQCLcB/s320/IMG_0570.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-032IxkL7i4I/VyuFJ-WkkmI/AAAAAAAAALU/kNiNit5pvjkqGoMJHwNVSLOsofA7dudLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-032IxkL7i4I/VyuFJ-WkkmI/AAAAAAAAALU/kNiNit5pvjkqGoMJHwNVSLOsofA7dudLQCLcB/s320/IMG_0571.JPG" width="240" /></a>Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-89698256716238413132016-04-29T08:30:00.003-07:002016-04-29T08:30:41.241-07:00EMCC Student Conference Experience<br />
This week at SSTEM most of the interns were at the Estrella Mountain Community College Student Conference Thursday the 28th. We had four posters including mine and two interns did oral presentation. The poster session went well I was nervous at first since presenting isn't my favorite but after a few minutes I wasn't nervous at all and the words just flowed out. It was great sharing my project with the judges and other students there at EMCC. The majority of them thought it was so cool doing a project of robots and I had a video of me driving my robot and actually scoring a goal. Although I didn't win this was a great experience and I took a lot away from it. Everybody did great with their posters and oral presentation. There were many student from all over with great projects as well that were very interesting. Congratulations to Oliver and Bethany who were able to win 3rd and 2nd place in the poster session great job. I also want to thank the mentors for being there for support Josh and Corri sorry if I spelled your name wrong. Awesome experience. Here's some pics of our posters.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Wb75nGRPI/VyN8HI6zCNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/UJ2QtNy0xNoRBV06rRiTnsFi1uW348ZFgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y25paC6gXg/VyN8JS1j5xI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Co-4C_a_t4MJ5pvQVydwhPcim8NAm5ujQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y25paC6gXg/VyN8JS1j5xI/AAAAAAAAAK8/Co-4C_a_t4MJ5pvQVydwhPcim8NAm5ujQCLcB/s320/IMG_0452.JPG" width="240" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5Wb75nGRPI/VyN8HI6zCNI/AAAAAAAAAKw/UJ2QtNy0xNoRBV06rRiTnsFi1uW348ZFgCLcB/s320/IMG_0449.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9n3Ou_0XoD8/VyN8ItHMi2I/AAAAAAAAAK4/oXaLGr0kQIsjSNEzf4pGtNgSAlsGZbmlACLcB/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9n3Ou_0XoD8/VyN8ItHMi2I/AAAAAAAAAK4/oXaLGr0kQIsjSNEzf4pGtNgSAlsGZbmlACLcB/s320/IMG_0451.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-7065538921812087682016-04-17T19:52:00.000-07:002016-04-17T19:52:00.999-07:00Friendly Robotics Competition so Far This week we managed to do some of the test towards the competition of this semester with my robot against Lily's. The speed round we did by doing a 50 ft forward and back drag race down the hallway outside of the STEM room in E-224 I believe. We each had 3 runs to calculate an average run time for each of us. My average ended up being around 58 seconds and Lily's was over a minute I believe but I was able to beat her in the speed round. The next competition we did was the manual or driver control shooting round which is only one minute long. We each had 3 trials again to score as many balls as possible in the goals, but unfortunately I lost in the manual competition with only 11 points while Lily was able to score 20 points. Her robot's launcher shot really farther than mine and she had good accuracy. Another test that I did was the autonomous portion which is programming the robot to score the points on its own and I was able to get 11 points in 3 trials. Lily still hasn't done this part of the competition so my results and data are still pending but I'm hoping she doesn't beat me! After this last test we just need to weigh each one of our robots and calculate the total cost of each to have our data complete. Overall this was a really fun project and I enjoyed working with these robots so much.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lfohz2N2olE/VxRLp5cfIcI/AAAAAAAAAKI/reC7BDhUI0woukbaIyJwQA4i2KeR3U-jQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lfohz2N2olE/VxRLp5cfIcI/AAAAAAAAAKI/reC7BDhUI0woukbaIyJwQA4i2KeR3U-jQCLcB/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-36609650265407887262016-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:002016-04-05T13:01:12.662-07:00It finally drives straight! Who will I be up against in the end?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week in STEM I was able to fix a HUGE flaw that my robot had ever since it was able to move. That flaw was that whenever I drove my robot one of the motors was faster than the other so my robot would drive off to one side more than the other making it impossible to drive in a straight line. This made driving the robot a hassle and it took so much time away in trying to get to the balls and to get to the goals. Well this week after noticing that the program on the motors of the robot was not the issue I pulled off the two motors that move the back wheels and noticed that one of them was a high speed and the other was just a regular motor so after making it a high speed motor that fixed the problem. It was amazing seeing my robot drive straight and since I was used to driving it the other way I need to practice on the field to get the hang of it now, I'm sure this is going to help out a lot in terms of time and being able to score more points in that one minute period. Here's an image of exactly how I felt when I saw my robot drive in a straight line. I'm trying to upload a video of the robot driving not sure if it will upload though.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ17Pla1Vmk/VwQYwvfwAwI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/60iJxRV-HOQhffK5QBUtIGQ8mTcsoH_qw/s1600/so_good.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ17Pla1Vmk/VwQYwvfwAwI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/60iJxRV-HOQhffK5QBUtIGQ8mTcsoH_qw/s320/so_good.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" width="320" height="266" ></object><object id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-1" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" width="320" height="266" ></object></div>
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-734485086012872402016-03-31T10:35:00.000-07:002016-03-31T10:38:24.667-07:00The Need for Speed on Robotics This week in STEM I've been working on making my robot faster. I've made my motors high speed by switching out the gears inside them. I'm having trouble scoring enough points during my one minute period that will be against a fellow STEM intern Lily. I have not been able to score on the high goal consistently and I struggle driving the robot and picking up the balls. The robot drives more towards one side when driving straight which makes driving take more time than it should and with only a minute to score as many points I need all the time I can get. This can be due to having different type of motors on each side or it can be the programming that was already on it. This project will not use any programming since the robots have to be controlled manually for the test. I have changed the flappers that pick up the balls to smaller ones hoping they don't cause as much friction on the ball when I shoot them out. I'll be working more on my robot this week and the competition is next week. Also everyone who got accepted to the Estrella Community College Student Conference good job and good luck! Here's a picture of the high speed gears that go in the motors and a picture of the bottom of my robot where these motors are located.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqeQ75TtegQ/Vv1fbxJNVqI/AAAAAAAAAJc/3y3WGpdp7nMXaWCyWOswm8mX9GYWYcBzw/s1600/IMG_3949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QqeQ75TtegQ/Vv1fbxJNVqI/AAAAAAAAAJc/3y3WGpdp7nMXaWCyWOswm8mX9GYWYcBzw/s320/IMG_3949.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPw1vU_XB2s/Vv1fdFbiEMI/AAAAAAAAAJg/vSq66FaodGoVT3gYTP9hAlShzF5Eohsww/s1600/IMG_3950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tPw1vU_XB2s/Vv1fdFbiEMI/AAAAAAAAAJg/vSq66FaodGoVT3gYTP9hAlShzF5Eohsww/s320/IMG_3950.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-20624498193868582552016-03-24T11:50:00.000-07:002016-03-24T11:50:47.839-07:00Dual Motors for the LauncherThis week in STEM I'm continuing on working on my small 15 x 15 x 15 robot and making changes on it so that it can score more points. My small robot is going to be competing against Lily's much larger robot in <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">test that will involve, speed, weight, cost, and ability to score by shooting balls into
goals while being controlled manually. I might have an upper hand in weight and possibly speed but outscoring a bigger robot might be a challenge since she will be able to score on the high goals of the field easier. To try and be able to score more high goals with ease I've added another motor to increase the speed of the rotation of the launcher wheels. Hopefully this can increase my chances of winning in the scoring round of the </span><span style="line-height: 15.6933px;">competition</span><span style="line-height: 107%;">. Good luck Lily but I'm going to win! Here's some pictures of the motors that spin the wheels and a video of how fast the wheels spin now. Also there's a picture of the field we compete in to score goals. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span>
<img height="240" src="http://www.robotics.gsmstengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_6016.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span>Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-29954703131916879882016-03-10T21:39:00.003-08:002016-03-10T21:39:52.832-08:00Nothing But Net Vex Competition at ASUThis week at the STEM internship we competed at the VEX nothing but net competition which was held at the ASU Tempe campus. There were a lot more people there than I expected even though most of them were affiliated with the middle and high school competition than ours. Either way it's nice to see that robotics is something that is growing in the interest of the youth. All the robots have to pass an inspection before they even are able to practice on the field and it turns out that my robot was about an inch too wide of the 15x15x15 requirement for a small robot. I had to move the entire gear portion of the robot over so it could fit the requirement which took some time. When it finally passed the inspection I started having some battery problems with the robot turning off on the field. With my robot not able to compete Lucas and Ainsley used their robots to compete in the beginning and they did great. Once the eliminating rounds started I was helping Ainsley load the balls into the robot and I drove Lily's small robot which had the main purpose of being picked up by the big robot. It was difficult driving her robot and getting it in position but I was able to get it there a couple of times. We ended up losing in the semifinals but against a very tough team from Colorado. The competition was a lot of fun even though my robot didn't compete I definitely want to go again and try and win first. Here's a video of me trying to score on the high goal with my robot but I wasn't able to.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dykgQNWybNOPCQtoMeCw1Gv0HWTCcWF59tBOep5cW3UkdZxqpngTwDbX-wK3jIeH-du_UsLAn3ChrBkkYkpqQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-89800427310093179392016-03-02T14:43:00.005-08:002016-03-02T14:43:58.780-08:00VEX Robotics Competition This Weekend!This week in my STEM internship I've been able to put my robot together with help from Josh and make it able to move, pick up a ball and actually shoot the ball. Although the shot isn't what we want yet that's where I'm at as of now on the robot. It's difficult to modify a robot when you're restricted to only 15 inches in length, width and height. I need to get the right angle, power and distance for the perfect shot to make the goals and score some points for our team. The VEX competition is this Saturday at the ASU Tempe campus and I'm really looking forward to it since it's going to be my first time at any type of VEX competition. I hope we do well and bring home 1st place, also anyone who is interested in going to support the PC team the event is free as well as parking. You should contact Amanda, Josh, or Matt for the details. Here are some pictures of how my robot looks like, it still needs some final touches before Saturday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hvditKDgIA/VtdsOBsf5uI/AAAAAAAAAIc/Uj3L_Te87rw/s1600/IMG_3869%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hvditKDgIA/VtdsOBsf5uI/AAAAAAAAAIc/Uj3L_Te87rw/s320/IMG_3869%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Front View</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKA1WWl0CaE/VtdsQYwZimI/AAAAAAAAAIg/-tU3MG3IroA/s1600/IMG_3870%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKA1WWl0CaE/VtdsQYwZimI/AAAAAAAAAIg/-tU3MG3IroA/s320/IMG_3870%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Side View</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuTugor9b_U/VtdsSTmUDdI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Mm0PnjRzSJI/s1600/IMG_3871%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuTugor9b_U/VtdsSTmUDdI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Mm0PnjRzSJI/s320/IMG_3871%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Rear View</b></div>
Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-4250310902514237832016-02-25T19:22:00.001-08:002016-02-25T19:22:14.031-08:00Started Building the New Small VEX Shooter Robot This week in the S-STEM Program I started building my smaller shooter robot that has to be under 15 inches in length, width and height. I got my parts in this week that I ordered and started building the main chassis or the main frame of the robot. I got the 4 omnidirectional wheels on the chassis that make the robot able to move forwards and backwards and side to side. I also started on the part of the robot that looks like the path where the balls will be going into. This path I built will guide the balls up by a chain and several other parts to be shot out by one or two spinning wheels at the top. I still have a lot to finish this robot with the competition around the corner in a little over two weeks. I'm looking forward to getting my robot moving and shooting the balls in the goals. I'll keep you guys updated next week. Here's a couple of pictures of how the robot is looking so far.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uEE3iHkQF0/Vs_Ejdw2GqI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RsehPADrRyc/s1600/IMG_3851%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2uEE3iHkQF0/Vs_Ejdw2GqI/AAAAAAAAAIE/RsehPADrRyc/s320/IMG_3851%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLCyBGRPdbg/Vs_Ely9p6SI/AAAAAAAAAII/6hUozvVv6MQ/s1600/IMG_3852%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eLCyBGRPdbg/Vs_Ely9p6SI/AAAAAAAAAII/6hUozvVv6MQ/s320/IMG_3852%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></a>Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-40257060214787232992016-02-18T20:04:00.002-08:002016-02-18T20:04:26.435-08:00First Week back at S-STEM Program Spring 2016, Robotics Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_kK7GtaPMM/VsaKTNteJKI/AAAAAAAAAHw/j25HsVcMj1w/s1600/IMG_3828%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq86/MikeChasPhotos/IMAG0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="-image-" border="0" height="190" src="http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq86/MikeChasPhotos/IMAG0004.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_kK7GtaPMM/VsaKTNteJKI/AAAAAAAAAHw/j25HsVcMj1w/s320/IMG_3828%255B1%255D.JPG" width="240" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was my first week back at the S-STEM program and it feels good to be back and meet some new people and scholars, along with the people I knew from my previous internship. My project is going to be based around VEX robotics which are robots that are built from scratch using materials (wheels, structural beams, motors, wires, gears, etc.) and are made to do a task or to compete against other robots. In my case there is a VEX competition upcoming in March 5th called Nothing but Net at ASU which is a competition where robots must pick up plastic balls and shoot them at goals and have to beat the other team's score. This semester I have to build two small robots with dimensions no bigger than 15x15x15 inches. My first robot that I've started already will be designed like a motorcycle and it's job is to ultimately be small enough to fit and drive up inside the larger robots pictured above to the right. The point of this robot is to get us 25-50 extra points to our score as long as it's 4-12 inches off the ground. The second small robot is going to be a small shooter robot based off the design below that will hopefully be able to score on the higher goals. My parts are ordered for my second robot and I should be able to start building next week. Wish me luck!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-meQxU84f4gs/VsaKWP8POuI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Fu4NKivQplg/s1600/IMG_3829%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-meQxU84f4gs/VsaKWP8POuI/AAAAAAAAAH0/Fu4NKivQplg/s320/IMG_3829%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-34088054219837695882013-12-05T13:10:00.000-08:002013-12-05T13:10:51.743-08:00Bit off more than I can chew STEM! Goodbye for Winter, Merry Christmas and a New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nightclubhalloffame.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/LasVegasStrip-1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://nightclubhalloffame.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/LasVegasStrip-1_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
These past few weeks have been probably the most stressed I've ever been in my life........SO FAR, that is. As the saying goes I believe I bit off more than I can chew this semester which includes my four classes, this internship, and a new full time job. YEAH, FULL TIME! I over estimated myself and thought I could get through this like a piece of cake, but I was unfortunately mistaken. I've been going to class then internship and to work right after most of the days from the week and I was fine the first week but I started to feel the toll and the work started to pile up. I am very glad this semester is coming to an end and hopefully do great on my finals this and next week. I will like to wish everyone good luck on the final paper and presentations tomorrow and a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm fortunately going to be spending new years in LAS VEGAS with my girlfriend's family (visiting family, not for a hangover trip) have a nice break everyone and hopefully see most of you guys when we come back.Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-5495428917665334332013-11-26T13:18:00.000-08:002013-11-26T13:18:48.100-08:00The Last Few Weeks of my First Semester......yaaaaaaay<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co_DYEJy_R0/UpUP4j34oWI/AAAAAAAAAGg/sq61ahlbHUQ/s1600/stress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co_DYEJy_R0/UpUP4j34oWI/AAAAAAAAAGg/sq61ahlbHUQ/s320/stress.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So the end is near. Only a few weeks left of this 2013 fall semester and it's been filled with a lot of learning and a lot of new people. Oh yeah, and a whole lot of homework!! Being in this STEM internship program has been AWESOME so far I met a lot of new people and I learned a lot from identifying bacterias and learning how to make media plates. I know there is so much more to learn here and to do, I can't wait for the projects to start next semester if I get chosen to come back (fingers crossed). I really hope I do come back because I wish to learn more! I need more of Jedi Josh and Matt's knowledge, but in all seriousness I really have enjoyed this semester and has been a great first one and wish to spend more in this program. I am currently very busy with research papers and presentations due next week combined with working so its kind of hectic.Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-33409887465011488072013-11-21T08:53:00.001-08:002013-11-21T08:53:44.111-08:00Sampling 101, Instructor Darren Johnson<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHryeosw5fA/Uo45oETpMdI/AAAAAAAAAGA/DW-BHkXePU8/s1600/20131120_123047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jHryeosw5fA/Uo45oETpMdI/AAAAAAAAAGA/DW-BHkXePU8/s200/20131120_123047.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kse9LaN2rMs/Uo45oS6IBmI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Dj1jaDph3Rs/s1600/20131120_125839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kse9LaN2rMs/Uo45oS6IBmI/AAAAAAAAAGE/Dj1jaDph3Rs/s200/20131120_125839.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiGYdd5MWCg/Uo45oV40KbI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Xpinrw1MpKw/s1600/20131120_131139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EiGYdd5MWCg/Uo45oV40KbI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Xpinrw1MpKw/s200/20131120_131139.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This week Darren was nice enough to show me the process of making these smaller TSA plates for sampling and how to actually sample for bacteria. This is crucial for my project because I will be looking for Staph aureus in Phoenix College's gym and maybe other places around campus and sampling is necessary. I also want to do something more with Staph aureus but I really do not have any idea what yet, but I will do more research on the bacteria and will try to think of something interesting and creative to do with it. So Darren literally walked me through the process of how to make this medium which is trypticase soy agar. He first showed me how to measure the mix of TSA that comes in a powder stage in a bucket. I believe we did 20 grams and added those 20 grams to the 500ml of DI water which is Deionized water. We put them in a beaker and heated and mixed the powder TSA in until we were able to look through it. The next step was to put that beaker and another container to take medium out of in to the autoclave which sterilizes everything. Next Darren showed me the Bio-Safety cabinet and showed me how to clean it with alcohol. While we waited for the media in the autoclave to be done we went out sampling in the bathroom and right outside the bio-sciences department. We did 20 samples from the floors, elevator buttons, stair rails, door handles, anywhere people touched. The media's time in the autoclave was done and Kimberly was nice enough to take it out for us. Darren then showed me how to use a special pipette to put the media in the empty petri dishes. I did make some mistakes but it was my first time making TSA so cut me some slack. Here are some pictures of the process and results.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyi-GbZ9X2c/Uo45Vp1JaVI/AAAAAAAAAFg/4-hdZiM1Row/s1600/20131120_144716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyi-GbZ9X2c/Uo45Vp1JaVI/AAAAAAAAAFg/4-hdZiM1Row/s200/20131120_144716.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGfOtle7l3I/Uo45WnRSfLI/AAAAAAAAAFo/naUJidg5gA4/s1600/20131120_144723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGfOtle7l3I/Uo45WnRSfLI/AAAAAAAAAFo/naUJidg5gA4/s200/20131120_144723.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-73672765047523541672013-11-14T10:59:00.001-08:002013-11-14T10:59:28.480-08:00Museum Trip and The END to the unknowns This past Friday a group of STEM interns and Matt, Josh, Dijana and Anil (sorry if I got the name wrong) took a trip down to the National History Museum in Mesa in the awesome Phoenix College Van! The Museum was really cool and there were many interesting things there like dinosaurs skeletons, meteorites/asteroids, rocks, fossils, panning for gold, a cell, a maze through a mine! Many things to see and experience and it was really fun and I wanted to thank the STEM team for the trip and the delicious subway in the parking lot. It wasn't the best spot but it will do hopefully next time we have a better place to eat. Also if the next trip is to the brewery I'm unfortunately still under the age of 21 so no fair but I would still enjoy the trip. Here are some pictures for those who did not attend to enjoy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fgUXH-JGk4/UoUcy_zgHdI/AAAAAAAAAE8/PkTMiR4fPBM/s1600/20131108_115716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7fgUXH-JGk4/UoUcy_zgHdI/AAAAAAAAAE8/PkTMiR4fPBM/s320/20131108_115716.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju6SBSKwkuE/UoUcx2gxsSI/AAAAAAAAAE0/QiuPmbzbGZQ/s1600/20131108_110352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju6SBSKwkuE/UoUcx2gxsSI/AAAAAAAAAE0/QiuPmbzbGZQ/s320/20131108_110352.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NEZ2fuLGdU/UoUc5b4BivI/AAAAAAAAAFM/vPo1BOvpVU0/s1600/20131108_121416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3NEZ2fuLGdU/UoUc5b4BivI/AAAAAAAAAFM/vPo1BOvpVU0/s320/20131108_121416.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ80VPByfeI/UoUc4y5YSGI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IdUDTAnq9wA/s1600/20131108_121409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ80VPByfeI/UoUc4y5YSGI/AAAAAAAAAFI/IdUDTAnq9wA/s320/20131108_121409.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7zlQK2O1xI/UoUcxH4KdrI/AAAAAAAAAEw/FZQgOg1zGsw/s1600/20131108_110318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7zlQK2O1xI/UoUcxH4KdrI/AAAAAAAAAEw/FZQgOg1zGsw/s320/20131108_110318.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finally I have identified the bacterias in my unknown. Josh had given me two bacterias in one broth. I did and oxidase test to the gram negative bacilli and it was negative, so I did a glucose fermentation and was also negative. On the gram positive cocci I did the catalase test and it was positive, glucose fermentation test and was also positive, finally a MSA test and again positive. The two bacterias were (Gram Positive Cocci) Staphylococcus aureus and (Gram Negative Bacilli) Enterbacter aerogenes. This is the end to the investigations of unknown bacterias for now but I will probably have to do these processes again in some Bio class but now I am prepared and I know what to do. <br />
<br />
<br />Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-23674625532070055842013-11-07T20:28:00.001-08:002013-11-07T20:28:20.222-08:00Rookie Mistake! Gram Negative AND Positive?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKAcuAYRwuA/UnxjzvZlCwI/AAAAAAAAAEY/aFFcTF2-VvQ/s1600/Pseudomonas_aeruginosa_Gram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BKAcuAYRwuA/UnxjzvZlCwI/AAAAAAAAAEY/aFFcTF2-VvQ/s200/Pseudomonas_aeruginosa_Gram.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft23VeFC5qw/UnxjxEsgKbI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/x3WB2Xa4e3I/s1600/GPC_Staph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft23VeFC5qw/UnxjxEsgKbI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/x3WB2Xa4e3I/s200/GPC_Staph.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<b><u> Gram Negative Bacilli </u></b> <b><u>Gram Positive Cocci</u></b><br />
<br />
This week I was trying to figure out what my new bacteria or actually bacterias were since I was given two bacteria in one broth medium. I did a gram stain on each bacteria and I was able to identify that I have a gram positive cocci and a gram negative bacilli in my unknown, with the help of Josh and the use of oil on the microscope. Yet, I have committed a rookie mistake! When I inoculated some TSB with each bacteria I very foolishly forget to label which bacteria was which. I simply marked it bacteria #1 and #2 how silly of me to do. So now I have to re-do my process and stain them again next week which is a bummer because I want to start on my Staph aureus/MRSA project already! I've also been working on my article review which has been a bit troubling with the amount of vocabulary I do not understand and have to look up. Yet everything seems to be going well and I can't wait for the FIELD TRIP TOMORROW YAAAAY :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0v2jMZnKsI/UnxoBQs3qbI/AAAAAAAAAEg/UU0mamduT0Q/s1600/rookie+mistakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P0v2jMZnKsI/UnxoBQs3qbI/AAAAAAAAAEg/UU0mamduT0Q/s320/rookie+mistakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-88138897143204089532013-10-31T20:34:00.001-07:002013-10-31T20:34:47.667-07:00Staphylococcus Aureus! New Project and Article Assignments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4vXLj8OqkU/UnMYprlLubI/AAAAAAAAADk/lR5603Y5gsI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4vXLj8OqkU/UnMYprlLubI/AAAAAAAAADk/lR5603Y5gsI/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Staphylococcus Aureus</b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week in the internship I finally figured out what my #7 unknown bacteria was! It was Staphylococcus Aureus! My MSA came back with bacteria growing
so it was MSA positive. I then tested my bacteria broth with the
following broths: glucose, lactose, mannitol, tryptone, TSI(agar), and
TSB+6.5NaCl(sodium chloride). All the results(color changes and bacteria growth) proved that my bacteria was in fact Staphylococcus Aureus. A very resistant bacteria to antibiotics that can be found in the respiratory tract and on the skin. Staph aureus can cause skin infections, respiratory disease like sinusitis, food poisoning, and possible life threatening diseases like: pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocartitis, and toxic shock syndrome(TSS). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2Hlfaqe-2U/UnMR60vmtRI/AAAAAAAAADY/_6XfeowcE2g/s1600/20131028_125135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2Hlfaqe-2U/UnMR60vmtRI/AAAAAAAAADY/_6XfeowcE2g/s320/20131028_125135.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmtpGuYhQws/UnMRk-RbuVI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wcbWW0gK8iA/s1600/20131025_095800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmtpGuYhQws/UnMRk-RbuVI/AAAAAAAAADQ/wcbWW0gK8iA/s320/20131025_095800.jpg" width="240" /></a>To the left you can see my test tubes after they spent 24 hours in the incubator with color changes to yellow and some bacteria growth in the TSI. To the right you can see my MSA medium with the bacteria growing in it. This proves that my bacteria was able to grow in a high salt environment. The yellow was what you were looking for here. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TuUZRNcxE8/UnMe1Qa9aiI/AAAAAAAAAD0/J0YTQiV9_5k/s1600/20131031_112520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0TuUZRNcxE8/UnMe1Qa9aiI/AAAAAAAAAD0/J0YTQiV9_5k/s320/20131031_112520.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u> Isolated Streak (Notice the different kinds of Spots)</u></b></div>
<br />
Now that I found out that my bacteria was Staphylococcus Aureus, Josh gave me an assignment to look up a few articles and type a review on one. The article I chose to review is called "Staphylococcus Aureus small colony variants are susceptible to light activated microbial agents" by Sarah Tubby. Michael Wilson, John A. Wright, Ping Zhang, and Sean P. Nair. So far it's very interesting because I'm learning why Staph aureus is so resistant to antibiotics and this new method that has potential to eliminate S. aureus. Oh, yeah and I was assigned a brand new bacteria to solve and test on. I have done an isolated streak and have done the gram stain so far but something very interesting was noticed by Josh on my isolated streak. It actually had two different types of bacteria growing in it! How weird! So Josh told me to test the both bacteria in TSB and incubate them. Well that's what I've done so far and hopefully next week I will figure out what it is. Also I'm really looking forward to the field trip this Friday to the Arizona Museum of Natural History even though I have class at that time. Hmm not really sure what to do, but I will figure something out!Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-53187242643329709552013-10-24T20:54:00.002-07:002013-10-31T12:40:30.661-07:00First Week as Stem Intern! Unknown Bacteria "X" Mini Project <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This past week has been my first week as a STEM
intern. I started Monday at noon and my journey began with some very long and
informative safety videos. Although they were boring they are important and
essential. After the videos I had to find out what an "isolation
streak" and a "lawn streak" were. I then had to actually do an
isolation and lawn streak with mystery bacteria #7 given to me by Josh. My
first attempts on the streaks were not very good due to me literally stabbing
the TSA. I tried it again and my second attempt were much better after Josh
demonstrated how to do it properly. Drawing the “T” on the bottom of the dish
really helped as well. I put my first and second attempts of streaks in the
incubator for 24 hours to see my results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">These
are my first and second attempts for the isolation streak. “T” definitely help<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yd1dZyvGzo/UmnpwUNvWTI/AAAAAAAAACM/YWLupBbnHnw/s1600/20131022_150839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5yd1dZyvGzo/UmnpwUNvWTI/AAAAAAAAACM/YWLupBbnHnw/s200/20131022_150839.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh19QTVnnYU/UmnqAS7GDsI/AAAAAAAAACU/G3_1ZbD9AAA/s1600/20131022_150835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh19QTVnnYU/UmnqAS7GDsI/AAAAAAAAACU/G3_1ZbD9AAA/s200/20131022_150835.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
second attempt (right) seemed to have grown some type of mold quite obviously.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On Tuesday I had to find out what a “gram stain” was
and figure out how to do a gram stain on my unknown bacteria. So I found out
that a gram stain is a way to figure out what type of cell wall (gram negative
or gram positive) and shape the bacteria has to differentiate it from other
bacteria to narrow down what type of bacteria it is. So the process was to grab
a slide and put a drop of water on it. I then grabbed some bacteria and smeared
it on the slide on the water. I got an oil lamp and heated the slide by passing
it on top of the fire until the water dried up and left only the bacteria.
After that I put a drop of crystal violet on the bacteria and left it for 30
seconds and rinsed it off with water. Next I covered the bacteria with Gram’s
Iodine for one minute and rinsed. The decolorizer was next for 15-30 seconds
and rinse. Last was the Safranin for about a minute and rinse off. Blot dry
with the bibulous paper and finally put the slide under the microscope and look
for the cell morphology. Mine turned out to be a gram positive coccus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I had figured out that my cell morphology was
coccus, which is circular shaped cells. I also found out through the gram stain
that my unknown bacteria was gram positive since it was purple. From that
information I followed the positive gram cocci chart and the next step was to
do a catalase test. The catalase test purpose is to identify if the bacteria
generates the enzyme catalase. I needed some hydrogen peroxide for this test. I
grabbed a slide and made two circles one for the test and the other for
control. I put a drop of distilled water on both circles and smeared some
inoculum (bacteria). I put one or two drops of hydrogen peroxide on the Test
circle and none on the control. The reason for this is to see if the hydrogen
peroxide will make the bacteria bubble or not. If the bacteria does bubble then
it means that it is catalase positive. The C circle is to compare with T
circle.<span> </span>My bacteria did bubble so it is
catalase positive.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqa5vkt8g1s/UmnqYx_inJI/AAAAAAAAACc/mKg1y6MX5YY/s1600/20131023_132335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqa5vkt8g1s/UmnqYx_inJI/AAAAAAAAACc/mKg1y6MX5YY/s200/20131023_132335.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axO8gdxKQ5c/UmnqcaoFFfI/AAAAAAAAACk/ldC8GxvnvvA/s1600/20131024_122527+%281%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axO8gdxKQ5c/UmnqcaoFFfI/AAAAAAAAACk/ldC8GxvnvvA/s200/20131024_122527+%281%29.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now that the bacteria have been identified to have
positive catalase enzymes, the next step is to do glucose fermentation. I
simply transferred a few drops from by unknown bacteria tube to the glucose
tube and put it in the incubator for 24 hours. The next day I grabbed my
glucose tube from the incubator and saw that it turned bright yellow. This
means that my bacteria is a positive acid and it did not produce any gas.
Finally I did an MSA test today to see if my bacteria can withstand a high salt
concentration environment. I did an isolated streak on an MSA medium today and
placed it in the incubator for 24 hours. Next week I will check my results.
Overall I have really enjoyed this mini project so far because it’s really
“hands on” learning and it’s interesting to see how many test are done on a
bacteria. The other interns seem really cool as well and seem to be enjoying their
projects too.</span></div>
</div>
Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018612688873274305.post-5713350020469417562013-10-17T20:43:00.001-07:002013-10-17T20:51:06.338-07:00First Week as a S-STEM Scholar, Human Chimeras<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17mz6cwrb6drjjpg/original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="marquee js_annotatable-image cursor-crosshair" data-asset-url="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17mz6cwrb6drjjpg/original.jpg" data-chomp-id="17mz6cwrb6drjjpg" height="111" src="http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17mz6cwrb6drjjpg/original.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
So this is my first week as a S-STEM Scholar and my first time doing a blog ever! I'm very excited to be a part of this STEM program and to be one of the scholars chosen this semester and I want to thank the STEM staff for choosing me. Well I don't have much to blog about this week but the internship interview I had on Monday with Josh and Matt. The interview was good and I hope I'm chosen to be an intern for the program. In the interview I was motivated to look into biological research and that's what I did. I found an interesting article about human chimeras. A chimera is a mythological term given to animals with other animals' parts like a lion with a snake for it's tail. Chimeras were only thought as these mythological creatures until recently as doctors are finding characteristics of chimeras in humans. This article states that there was a case of a mother that had recently given birth to a child but blood test showed that she was not the child's biological mother. She continued to take blood test but they soon found out that she was a fraternal twin and that the twin literally "absorbed into her" and the "combined tissue created a composite body". Another woman had the same problem when she needed a kidney from her children but then found out they did not have her DNA. I found this article very interesting as I never imagined this ever happening and it's quite fascinating. There are links below to the the article.<br />
<br />
http://io9.com/5911357/theres-a-good-chance-youre-a-human-chimera<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mindsofchimera.com/assets/images/chimera.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" id="irc_mi" src="http://mindsofchimera.com/assets/images/chimera.png" style="margin-top: 147px;" width="320" /></a></div>
Alex Almazanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17531309475645197067noreply@blogger.com0