SENIOR PROJECT OVERVIEW

DIRECTIONS: Explain each area in approximately 35 to 50 words.

Name: Jacquelyn-Aurora M. Garcia

Title of Project: Hair We Go Again: Organic Alternatives to Clean Oceanic Oil Spills

Title of Research Paper: Hair We Go Again: Organic Alternatives to Clean Oceanic Oil Spills

Synopsis of Research Paper:

I will discuss how the prevalence of oil spills came to be as well as the laws, or the lack thereof,
that creates regulations to keep mass catastrophes from happening which includes the
requirement that it will be cleaned up accordingly. In regards to the clean up requirement, this
paper will talk about the negative effects that come with the original cleaning methods along
with how they work and who’s at risk when they are conducted. The alternatives to the original
cleaning solutions are a much safer solution like peat moss, hair and plant based chemicals which
should be taken into account when choosing a method to clean up alongside the original
methods.

Project Description:
For my project, I will be keeping in touch with willing elementary and middle schools for my
future lesson that I will be teaching. I will also be collecting hair from salons and donating them
to an organization. My project will not be an event; I prefer to directly influence the younger
generations and their teachers. I will make sure I work with the elementary school teachers to
work with their lesson schedules. I will also stay in touch with several salons so I am able to
donate a significant amount to my organization. In my lesson plan I will be teaching the students;
the numerous ways that oil can be cleaned up using organic alternatives, the science behind each
solution, and discussing several state codes as well as national laws that relate to the clarity of
the ocean.

Relationship between Project and Paper:

The connection between my project and paper is that they both explain in detail the alternatives
to Which will include; identifying non-harmful ways to clean up oil spills, naming companies
that have used these alternatives, how the alternatives will benefit the ocean, the science behind
how the alternatives work, the financial benefits of switching to these alternatives, and laws that
keep the ocean clean (state, federal, and national). My paper will have all the necessary research
to back up my answers. My project will focus on showing how the organic alternatives work,
especially through my lab experiment. Other than teaching at multiple schools and conducting
lab experiments, I will also be donating a small amount of hair to the Matter of Trust
organization from several salons.

My background experience in the area:

I’ve somewhat instructed a class, but it was only to the extent of talking for about 5 minutes in which I
looked at a powerpoint for the entirety of the presentation. I was diving into a completely new area of
expertise where I knew little none about. I used my knowledge from lab science in order to make a lab
procedure and based my lab from one on the Matter of Trust website.

Special things I’d like judges to consider and look for:

Some special things I’d like the judges to consider and look for is that I have not been given the opportunity
to teach a entire class solely. I was incredibly fortunate to have done so, especially with the small encounter
where I could not find a teacher who was willing to allow me to teach their class. Other than that, this
project was a big step out of my comfort zone in order to accomplish.