Queen Of Science

As Fern and Dr. Martin walk through the building, towards her lab on the bottom floor, passerby's gawk at Martin like she's a celebrity. A couple of people even try to take her picture sneakily. Confused by this abnormal treatment of a scientist, Fern asks Martin, "pardon my ignorance, but why are people acting like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're a celebrity."

"Oh- I predicted the collapse of Canadian cod fisheries. No one likes to be told that a major contributor to their income and culture is disappearing, so I didn't get much attention. But, now people are waking up and realizing that I was right. I'm getting attention in the media because of it."

Dazzled that Dr. Martin could say something so big, so casually, Fern can only think to say, "It's good that people are paying attention, though, right?"

With a stone-face, Dr. Martin says, "It's annoying. I wish they got interested before my prediction was realized."

"Oh-" Not sure how to respond, Fern awkwardly clams up her mouth and looks at anything but Dr. Martin.

Eventually, the silent duo arrives at the doors to Martin's lab. Walking through the door, Dr. Martin turns on the lights and illuminates the ample space. The first things that catch Fern's eye are the 10-something large water tanks that are connected by plumbing. They look like large hot tubs, but they are so tall that Fern can barely look in when standing. Lining the walls of the room is a large hydroponics system that seems like it could support thousands of plants.

The corner of Dr. Martin's mouth perks up a little as she says, "We are doing a proof of feasibility project. We'll be growing a variety of fish species in the tanks and use their nitrogenous excrement to grow agricultural plants. To put it simply, we're killing two birds with one stone- assuming it works."

Having never heard of this idea before, curiosity washes over Fern and removes any of her existing nervousness. She starts rattling off questions that come to mind. Unfazed by Fern's spark of energy, Dr. Martin answers her problems like she's heard them all before.

"What kind of fish species?"

"We're focusing on freshwater herbivores and omnivores for now."

"Why in a building, not on a lake?"

"We want to precisely control the environment and other reasons that I won't get into."

Etc.

With her curiosity temporarily satisfied, Fern eventually stops asking questions, and Dr. Martin says, "As you can see, my lab has very little do fields of study in evolution or plant physiology. I don't see how your research interests fit in with the lab."

Having gotten a glimpse into the world of science and research that she could be involved in, the thought of giving up makes Fern feel like curling up into a small ball and watching sad movies. Unable to accept that sadness, Fern decides to latch onto that little glimpse of hope that she has!

"I'll come in every day and do all of the tedious work!"

"You'll never have to feed a fish again."

"I'll measure all the plants every single day."

With a smirk, Dr. Martin says, "You're going to measure 1,500 plants every day?"

Without thinking, Fern says, "Of course!"

Releasing a small chuckle that's probably the equivalent to a belly-laugh in regular people, Martin says, "Well, that's a waste of energy, but I appreciate the thought." Looking over at the empty hydroponics system in the room, Dr. Martin says, "How about I let you grow your plants using the hydroponics system. The plants will have to be agriculturally relevant though, so no flowering plants-"

"Really? That sounds awesome. When can I start?"

With a sigh, Dr. Martin frowns and says, "Wait for me to finish."

"Oh, sorry."

"If you can't prove that your experiment has scientific significance to me by the end of summer, I will cut off funding and support. The study that you're trying to replicate might have been forgotten for a reason."

Taking a deep breath, Fern furrows her brows and stares into a corner of the room as she considers what Dr. Martin said. After a minute or two, Fern finally says, "How will you decide if the experiment has scientific significance?"

"Generally speaking, the scientific significance is subjective." After pondering Fern's question for a while, Sarah Martin walks over to the computer in the corner of the lab room and says, "I want you to be able to show that your initial results replicate Mendel's results. Additionally, you should be able to explain why these results are important."

After typing her criteria into a word doc.u.ment and printing two copies of the paper, Martin hands one copy to Fern and says, "Deal?"

Sticking out her hand for a handshake, Fern says, "Deal!"