American Samoa doe

At the ninth Stepp-Up High school Summer Research Conference, which took place in the Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ACNR) Division of the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) on July 22, 2017, six of our high-children presented their research work. A six-week research project conducted by each of the participating student culminated in the on-site conference.

In the course of the conference, each participant had the chance to present their research results to his or her peers, tutors and relatives. Short-Term Research Experience for underrepresented persons (STEP-UP) offers practical research and education for pupils and pupils from ethnical groups that are often unrepresented in biomedicine and behavioural research, as well as for pupils from underprivileged classes.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) des U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) fördert das STEP-UP-Programm. This programme is co-ordinated on the ground through co-operation between the Department of Education of American Samoa and ASCC-ACNR. Every year a NIDDK and University of Hawaii evaluation panel chooses pupils from the American Samoa community and school.

Monitors are scholars from ASCC-ACNR and other community and government authorities. The six pupils taking part this year were Finiana Finau from Samoana High School, Karallyn Fitisone from South Pacific Academy, Tausala Judy Leota from Nu?uuli Vocational High School, Joelyn G. This is Rafil from Fa?asao Marist High School, Olyvia Ta?ase from Fagaitua and Athanasius Talataina from Tafuna High School.

Finau, betreut von Fepulea?i Dr. Micah Van der Ryn vom Ryn vom ASCC-ACNR, stellte ihr Projekt Connaissances et préférences alimentaires des enfants et leurs effets sur l'obésité chez les jeunes enfants. Under the patronage of Visa Vaivai of the National Park of American Samoa, Mr. and Mrs. Fitisone discusses the effects of garbage and pigs on the health of mangrove forests in American Samoa.

Leota, supervised by Emily Ilaoa of ASCC-ACNR, presented the in vitro screening method for salt tolerance in Taro (Colocasia esculenta). Rafil, supervised by Dr. Mark Schmaedick of ASCC-ACNR, presented on The effect of ant mutualism on the damage done to its host plant by the tender insect Pulvinaria eurbicola. Talataina, supervised by Ian Gurr of ASCC-ACNR, presented on the evaluation of newly developped Taro (Colocasia esculenta) varieties for taro leaf resistance, corm weight, nutrient content and eating quality.

Ta?ase, supervised by Ian Moffit from the American Samoa National Park, presents variations on the Giant Clam on the basis of size and density in different underwater depths. Like in previous years, two of the six candidates were chosen to present their project at the National STEP-UP Symposium in Bethesda, Maryland.

The Bethesda Convention will be represented this year by Olyvia Ta?ase and Finiana Finau American Samoa. Apulu Ropeti Areta greeted Dr. George Hui, Professor at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and Program Director of Pacific STEP-UP and Dr. Rob Rivers, Program Director, Office of Minority Health Research Coordination, NIDDK, NIH.

Netini Sene, ASDOE Assistant Director for the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, introduced the programme, while Dr. Schmaedick moderated the pupil presentation. The ASDOE science specialist Dr. Joserose Jyothibhavan was also present. Following the lectures, the participants were awarded graduation diplomas and scholarships for participation in the programme.

If you are a student who would like to apply for an intern in the 2018 season, please visit: http://stepup.niddk.nih. gov and https://www.pacificstepup.org.