Aaron Slisher is kind of a wildlife sleuth, looking for evidence of wildlife in the wetlands at the campus that includes Reynoldsburg High School-Summit. For his senior capstone project, Aaron has set up cameras in several areas of the wetlands to study the biodiversity and the human impact on the area. Since he began last fall, Aaron has recorded deer, coyotes, deer, field mice and muskrats, among other creatures. He’s also learned a lot about what it means to conduct research.

 

“I learned that the process itself was a lot harder than I thought. Having to make an abstract, background research, and procedures to make a custom study were difficult but also fun. This was to me real life and a real-life study that had meaning. I also learned about the biological interconnectedness of even a small ecosystem like the wetlands,” Aaron said. 

 

His research is also checking the number of animals before and after construction of a new dock and improved walkways to see if there were any changes because of added foot traffic.

 

His final results aren’t available yet, but already Aaron’s been selected by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to present a poster on his research during the Student Wildlife Research Symposium in April.

 

“To be selected means in simple words that my study is real,” he said of the honor. “I am doing real life work with real implications. Professionals and experts will be able to see and critique my work. This will allow people to give me feedback on the state of the wetlands.”

 

Science teacher Rich Ladowitz is guiding Aaron during his capstone project and is looking forward to seeing the final data.

 

“He has a tremendous grasp of the scientific method and great mathematical and statistical skills. I was thrilled when he chose to focus on doing a biodiversity study out in our wetlands. We have left that area basically untouched in the 11 or so years we have been out here. It will be exciting to see pictures and obtain biological data that will help us determine its viability,” Mr. Ladowitz said.

 

After high school graduation, Aaron plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering with a focus on biomechanical.