Abstract

1. Project Isidore: Educating Third World Farmers on Soil, the Scientific Method, and Using Technology Kimberly Lesnock; Hicks, Fr. Boniface, PhD, Computer ScienceSaint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA Results Abstract Materials People in third world countries lack the knowledge regarding impact of soil conditions on crop yield.  We designed an experiment using the XO laptop and Vernier probes to test and measure specific soil conditions and their impact on plant growth.  To measure its effectiveness, the experiment was designed and executed locally (Houston, PA), with the intentions of also doing the experiment in Africa.  Our experiment has flexibility to test for different variables on plant growth and uses technology and common household items.  Preliminary results show promise that this experiment will be effective for educating third world children about using science and technology for improving soil conditions.  This research in educating children about science and providing technology can have a major impact on reducing world hunger. • Other than the XO laptops and the Vernier probes, the materials used in the experiment needed to be simple, common household items most people would have easy access to. The list of materials include: • Soup cans as pots for plants • Vinegar to create acidic conditions • Hammer to poke holes in bottom of cans • Plastic bags to induce greenhouse effects • Small paper cups to hold soil solutions • Brick to induce cooler temperatures Unfortunately, only 2 of the 11 cans sprouted seeds. The mechanisms applied to the seeds were too extreme and prevented the seeds from germinating. However, the Vernier probes were able to detect the pH and temperature mechanisms applied to the seeds. The experiment is being redesigned to first test temperature and pH on seed germination and a second experiment that tests temperature and pH on plants, after germination. In the charts below, C =Control, A=Acidic, W=Warm, and R=(can was placed on a) Rock base. Project Isidore and One Child Per Laptop Project Isidore is a "Grass Roots Science" initiative whose aim is to bring together academic researchers, farmers and young people in the service of providing food security to America and abroad.  We seek to support the interchange of agricultural expertise and information by methods that are sustainable in both environmental and human terms, and to mindfully bring the newest of technologies to bear on humanity's oldest challenge: food. Project Isidore is taking advantage of the One Child Per Laptop Program (OLPC), which provides new opportunities in education for children in poor areas of the world through the XO laptop. Designed Experiment The experiment was designed for a teacher or instructor. It is based on other experiments designed for children and incorporates the laptops and probes to test for different variables affecting soil quality and plant growth. The experiment outlines a goal, background information, materials, detailed procedures, and references. The goal for writing the manual was to relay a clear understanding of the plant’s growth and procedure. Vernier Probes The Vernier probes were used to measure speciific soil conditions: soil pH and soil temperature. The probes are easy to use, come with LogerLite software, and plug into the USB port on a computer or latptop. These probes can be used either in the soil directly or a solution of the soil to indicate an aspect of its quality. Acknowledgements Support provided through Saint Vincent College by: Army Biotechnology Center, under contract No. NMA401-02-09-2002, through the Johns Hopkins University/APL subcontract No. 904856. We would like to thank Br. Norman Hipps and  Dr. Mandy Raab for the generosity of their support and  for their time spent helping us in this research, and we  gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Johns  Hopkins University Bioinformatics outreach program.