Colin Syme

Syme’s winning program, “Zebra Fish: A Tool For Project-Based Learning,” engages students using Zebra Fish as cross-curricular tools for inquiry. Students will explore several lines of study including housing and breeding, basic cell development, embryology, genetics, physiology and molecular biology. Zebra Fish are vertebrates and possess genetic similarity to humans. With this program, students will study embryological and cellular development in response to different environmental and chemical factors. Students will also observe and study the internal anatomy of transparent Zebra Fish variants, allowing for the measurement of physiological parameters such as heart rate, respiration and blood flow. They will also perform genetic crosses of different types of Zebra Fish and conduct ethical embryotic manipulation, using several different methodologies. The goal of the “Zebra Fish” project is to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related projects and encourage them to take a more active role in their learning by exploring diverse real-world questions and acquiring skills to be successful in future laboratory settings. Syme resides in Pittsburgh.