While it was not required of me to choose a scientific literacy artifact as an associate in arts student, I wanted to include one as I plan on pursuing a research career and have accomplished many scientific projects that I am particularly proud of over the past two years. I chose an undergraduate research project I completed while taking BIO-111 to demonstrate my scientific literacy. However, I extended the project past the class's ending date, which took approximately five months to complete. It was my first experience with fieldwork research, which was quite exciting, although certainly a learning process. Fortunately, I had previous experience with lab research and surveying salamander populations, which made the project significantly more manageable than it might have been otherwise.

My project was titled "Effects of Water Drainage and Pipe Construction on Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamander Populations," and it was inspired by several articles I had read in the past about several salamander species being displaced by construction in North Carolina. There just so happened to be pipe construction happening by a creek I was familiar with and knew was home and breeding grounds to many Blue Ridge Two-Lined Salamanders, so I decided it would be interesting to explore the topic further. I learned to use specific types of water testing kits, purchased traps and supplies for surveying and began my research.

The goals I had selected previously for this topic were to develop scientific reasoning skills to apply in future research projects pertaining to either the zoological or biological fields and to develop skills in field and lab research settings. While these both pertain to my chosen artifact, I felt they were a bit broad and decided to change them. For the first goal, I wanted to establish my basic foundations and skills for research in the field, and for the second, I decided to demonstrate proficient knowledge of at least one salamander species.

My first goal, establishing my basic foundations and skills for research in the field, was somewhat difficult initially, although I did have previous experience with field herping (my field herping photos can be found in my gallery) and trapping aquatic animals for wildlife photography so that certainly made things easier. The more difficult process was learning how to use an advanced water testing kit and figuring out where the best locations were for getting accurate and valuable data. Additionally, choosing locations with and without construction nearby proved to be difficult, but after researching my general area, I was able to find several sites that allowed water testing and overnight traps. After visiting my sites two to three times a week and familiarizing myself with water testing, I was able to accurately document data and form a hypothesis, and I gradually became more and more comfortable with fieldwork.

My second goal, demonstrating proficient knowledge of at least one salamander species, took some narrowing down as there were several possible species to choose from. I wanted to ensure that whatever species I chose could be found near construction sites and in other non-affected areas, so after visiting multiple creeks and surveying amphibian populations, I came to the conclusion that Blue Ridge Two-Lined salamanders would be best suited for my specific research project. I then researched the species in depth, familiarizing myself with every aspect of them, ranging from their environment to husbandry and behavior. In researching prior to starting my more intensive fieldwork, I was able to make better decisions regarding trap placement, water testing sites, and when my project would conclude.

Overall, this was one of my absolute favorite projects I was able to create and participate in at SPCC. I have always been particularly drawn toward herpetology and reptiles and amphibians in the wild, and I was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to study them. This project also helped me build skills I will be using in my future career as a researcher, especially as I hope to peruse research in ecology with an emphasis on fieldwork.