Taylor Best participated in Iowa State University's Science with Practice program.

2015 May 6

Taylor Best, majoring in Biology at #IowaState, was a participant of Science with Practice. Science with Practice is a learning and work experience program in research and related laboratories for undergraduate students. Students work closely with faculty and graduate students to gain experience in their field of study.

Students are able to conduct research and form mentoring relationships with faculty while earning money and academic credit. The program allows students to develop an understanding of the links between research and practical real-world situations and problems.

Best was advised by Dr. Gregory Courtney, professor, on a project titled The BugEye Project. This project aimed to take images of small organisms in order to place it in a large data base accessible to anyone who wants to see it. Currently those who operate the BugEye are beta testers to discover and solve problems that come with the machine or program. Here at ISU, Best and her peers' goal is to scan the entirety of the insects in the Insect Museum.

In total, 30 students and 23 faculty participated in the program during Spring 2015. As part of the program, students establish individualized learning agreements, create a final portfolio and complete biweekly journals of their semester progress. The semester concludes with a public poster presentation where students share their projects and experiences.

The Science with Practice program has linked students with faculty research for 10 years. Students may participate in the program multiple semesters. For more information visit www.ageds.iastate.edu/SWP.

This program is funded by the ISU Agricultural Endowment Board, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Van Wert Family Endowment.