Deshaundra J. Johnson
Class of 2005 - Present
Beacon H.S.
2006 Topic:
Topic: Study of The Bronx River: Biochemistry, Flora and Fauna, and Restoration
About:
My name is DeShaunda Johnson and there’s not much that can be said about who I am. I’m a young woman, age 16 and going to the 12 th grade. I’m very interested in science; I’ve always been interested in science. Science is amazing, it’s just one of those things for me. Science is something you can’t exactly put your finger on, nothing in science is completely understandable, theory and scientific law back even those things that seem the most concrete. For me, knowing that science becomes more advanced each day, keeps me coming back.
When Dr. Sat interviewed me I was a little nervous, but immediately when he came into the room where my mother, brother and I were, I felt a lot better. Dr. Sat was this smiling being and he came into the room with a warm feeling. My mother filled out the paper work and he took me into another room to interview me. As I talked he listened very attentively, he asked simple and meaningful questions. By the time the interview was over I knew I’d gotten in. Dr. Sat’s facial expression led me to think that he’d received some kind of satisfaction in talking with me. The day of the orientation, I wasn’t surprised when my name was called as one of the starting students, but I was FILLED with joy. I did my work joyfully, even though I had my share of hardships this summer, it was all worth it. Knowing that I’ve come out as a better person in the end, has given me a sense of pride and humility.
The meetings were on Mondays and Fridays; I attended only those meetings on Fridays, my research required me to work on Mondays. The presentations were all great, it was good to see all the works that other students had done, especially in those topics that I also hold interest in. My favorite presentation was the first presentation that I saw by Romi and Pikay; their presentation was very creative and informative. Everything that was said wasn’t on the power point slides, so it kept your attention as they spoke. They also had a very funny video at the end of the presentation and I admired their work. However, my least favorite of the presentations is when IT WAS MY TURN, when I presented it was very nerve racking. I came out all right though, I didn’t pass out or faint like I thought I would. Dr. Sat, sat right in the front and watched attentively and it gave me a sense of reassurance when I was nervous.
My project is essentially examining and monitoring oyster life in the Bronx River. Both the life that already exists in the river and the oysters that were placed in the oyster lanterns to be studied. There are three sites where oyster lanterns have been placed in the Bronx River. My job is basically to study the improvement of the water, if there is any, because of the oysters. The science comes in with the water monitoring tests. Some of these tests are dissolved oxygen, potential hydrogen, salinity, turbidity, water/air temperature and nitrates. All of these tests examine levels in the water that must remain constant, which have changed due to pollution.
Over the summer I worked with Rocking the Boat doing essentially environmental studies. Thanks to Dr. Sat Bhattacharya and Harlem Children’s society I had one of my most productive summers. Everyday I would go out to the Cement Plant and do water testing. In addition to the science that was done I got a chance to row, rowboats, canoe and kayak. As a result of being a part of Rocking the Boat, I have also become a better swimmer and gained a better understanding of the environment and how it works. I’ve come to realize that mankind is disrupting a delicate balance in the Bronx River’s ecosystem and other bodies of water as well. If there is one thing that I feel Harlem Children’s Society has given me is a chance to make my dreams come true. I’ve had the chance to fulfill my God-given talent and embark on the journey of my destiny.