We Need Your Help Collecting Microscopic Algae
Algae could possibly be the next candidate for biofuels research. Maybe you will find the algae that will one day power all the cars and planes in the world! You can join this exciting project by:
- Picking up an algae collecting kit from the Life Science Lab at the Saint Louis Science Center or find us at several local events listed in the Upcoming Events section.
- Finding a local, natural water source, such as a stream, lake, or pond. Make sure it is an area where it will be easy to obtain a sample. (An area where the water is still, and particularly green or "scummy" would be a great sample spot!)
- Collecting at least 20 milliliters of water and algae into the collector.
- Filling out the Algae Sample Data Sheet completely.
- Returning the collector back to the Life Science Lab within three days of collecting the algae or by mailing (new for 2011!), following these guidelines:
- Make sure screw top on collecting tube is on tightly
- Place collecting tube in plastic bag provided with kit
- Wrap collecting tube in absorptive material (i.e., bubble wrap)
- Place bag in a mailing box/envelope
- Write FRAGILE on outside
- Only mail overnight delivery or 2nd day
- Only mail Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday
- Mail to: Saint Louis Science Center, Attn. Life Science Lab, 5050 Oakland Avenue, Saint Louis, Missouri 63110
The map below shows locations at which citizen scientists have collected algae so far in 2011. Go where no one has gone before.
View Latest Algae Collections for 2011 in a larger map
What happens after I drop off my algae sample?
Be sure to write down your tube number, so you can track your sample’s progress on this website.
Once you have returned your sample to the Life Science Lab, we will culture your algae on petri dishes in the Lab’s Staff Workroom. The algae will be identified and then induced to produce lipids in a liquid culture. The samples will then be taken over to the Danforth Plant Science Center to determine how well the different algae species produced lipids. Further testing will be conducted on select high-yielding species at the Danforth Plant Science Center.
Perhaps the algae you collect and bring to the Science Center will have the potential to become a candidate for cutting edge biofuels research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
Locate your sample tube number to find out where the algae you collected is in the culturing and testing process. Click to view status of samples
