in 2018, bcaff IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE fundING OF two climate research projects
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STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF RISING ATMOSPHERIC CO2 ON CORAL POLYPS IN MARINE ENVIRONMENTS
Faculty Member: Claire Kennedy
Tom King, is setting up the two marine tanks in the Environmental Science Center in preparation for his research. These tanks will support additional student research that is already in the pipeline that will investigate how the zooxanthellae (a type of algae) are being lost from the coral causing them to die.
Confocal microscopic images will be employed; that assistance provided by our own microscopy lab. Two other BCA collaborations for this project include 3-D printing in the Maker Space and the engineering department students designing and building remote monitoring equipment for the tanks – this is especially needed for long school breaks!!! For all of our ‘Jacque Cousteau-aspiring’ BCA students, the biology department is writing curriculum for a Marine Biology elective course to be offered sometime in school year 2019-2020. |
EMPLOYING AQUACULTURE WASTEWATER FOR OPTIMAL HARVEST IN HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS
Faculty Member: Claire Kennedy
Angela Yuan's research won the award in the 2018 NJ FFA Agriscience Fair in the animal research division. Now that the correct ratio of fish wastewater to hydroponic fertilizer has been determined, the current research investigates the use of another agricultural waste product: wool. This current experiment is determining if rock-wool cubes can be substituted with sheep-wool cubes
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In 2017, BCAFF has successfully raised funds to purchase equipment for our Virtual Reality Lab and Environmental Science Center
Motion Capture System for Virtual Reality LabFaculty Member: Scott Lang
Virtual Reality Lab at BCA
The Virtual Reality lab, headed by faculty member Mr. Scott Lang, has been used by current students to create a variety of virtual reality projects including the Ellis Island project. The program, which involves designing a platform where people can experience Ellis Island through virtual reality technology, has progressed immensely during the last few years. The student-run initiative has engaged numerous students who have led and programmed the project, They've done everything from game design to working with artists on models.
BCAFF has purchased motion capture equipment that will allow students to produce complex character animations by capturing movements through the use of a series of markers. These actions can then be mapped to a digital 3-D character in order to duplicate these movements. The new motion capture equipment will add an additional layer of user engagement to future Virtual Reality projects. |
Hydroponics Equipment FOR Agricultural ResearchFaculty Member: Claire Kennedy
The Environmental Science Building at BCA Campus Hydroponics gardening offers numerous benefits over traditional growing including: control over pH and nutrient balances, a reduced amount of pests and diseases and reduced water and nutrient waste.
BCAFF has funded the purchase of new hydro/aeroponic equipment to support a new research initiative for BCA students. It will open the door to new opportunities in environmental science and agricultural research. Students can study the effects of climate on the sustainability of the world’s food supply. The BCA Hydroponics lab will be located in the newly redesigned Environmental Science Center (ESC) pictured above. There are a variety of other agricultural projects that are housed in the ESC greenhouse as well as two class rooms / indoor labs housed with in the building. Click here to see additional photos of the new ESC facility. |
Continue to check back for more information on initiatives that BCAFF has pledged to fund or is currently funding at BCA!