Never enough hours..

Happy Turkday Everyone

Is it just me or should there be more hours in a day? I think yes. I went to bio lab to day to crank out another piece to my puzzle (the report) and time just flew by bofore I could fiinish the procedure documentation for my first test I performed on my unkown bacteria. I was there for 2 hours! I hope you all are moving along faster that I am. I did reapply for next semester with high hopes of being selected again. I actually rearranged my schedule for next semester and enrolled in one less class so I can dedicate more time to STEM. I feel like I haven't let my total potential shine because of having a heavy load this semester and that I have been going through the motions this past week. I am a person that thrives on pouring passion, focus, and committment to everything I do especially in school. Hopefully I redeem myself next semester and really show everyone what I am capable of:)

Peace
Jenni

Happy Thursday Everyone

So as many of you know I ride my bike to and from school as often as I can. Today was a little different, I rode my scooter to my morning classes came home in the afternoon to play with my pups then headed back to school on my bike for my internship followed by my night class. I normally avoid riding at night because people seem to be less aware of their surroundings and tend to ingnore bicyclists. Anyways, after class I ride home (about a 25 min commute) only to find the SWAT team across the street from my house. Now, there has been some suspicious activity at the particular house they were at for a few months and there has been over 20 arrests according to a local police officer. We have also had an undercover police sit in a car on our driveway and the neighbors to watch the activity coming and going within that house. Tonight was the night! They must have found something worth breaking a door and shatterng a window to hold the people in that house accountable.

What happens to a person to go down that path? A path lead by drugs, theft, lies, and constant paranoia. I would love to study the brainchemistry involved that determines choices and the motives behind it. If only I could make a pesticide that repels those types of people...haha. As far as Im concerned- justice has been served. Thank you Phoenix Police Department for keeping our neighborhood safe.

Papers and finals and little sleep...OH MY!

Happy Thursday Everyone

I am stressing about our research paper that is due in one week. I am still working on a rough draft of my rough draft! Anyone else freaking out??!! I am probably making it more complicated than it needs to be but I can't help it if I have high expectaions. Anyways.. I think I have a solid idea of my next project. I am going to create at least 5 natural pesticides to treat a cricket infestation: Diatomaceous Earth (used in sprinkle form and spray form), Oil and Soap (spray), Pepper and Soap (spray), Ground Cloves (spray), Garlic and Onion and Pepper (spray), Tomato leaves (spray), and a Basil Tea (spray). All of the sprays will use a base of water but Im still not sure how I want to execute this project. Im confident that Matt will point me in the right direction. Good luck to contructing your final reports.

Peace ,
Jenni

Week 3 of Project

1. Happy Thursday Everyone!
   
   
   I left off last week with needing to perform yet another test to identify unknown #27. This is what the glucose test looked like-
    

   

   
   

   
   

   The purpose of this test is to observe any changes when unknown #27 is exposed to different types of sugar environments. I was looking for a color change and/or if the bacteria produced a gas. My results-

   
   

   	TSB NaCl	TSI	Tryptone	Lactose	Manitol	Glucose
   Acid	-	+	-	-	-	+
   Gas	-	-	-	-	-	-

   
   

   Upon interpereting results, unknown #27 is better known as Bacillus Cereus. 

   
   

   

     
2. B.cereus is a toxin producing bacteria which can cause two different types of illnesses: one type characterized by diarrhea and the other, called emetic toxin, by nausea and vomiting. These bacteria are present in foods and can multiply quickly at room temperature (50-120* F). This particular bacterium only accounts for approximately 2-5% of reported food borne illnesses. 
   
   
   Peace
   Jenni