A Summer for Science

CAPS students indulge in hands-on research and camaraderie

Zora Lewis ’26 searches for bees on Allen Island during a CAPS outing in July. This year's cohort of CAPS students assisted Associate Professor of Biology Dave Angelini by surveying the abundance of bumblebee species on the island, which is part of Colby’s Island Campus. They identified and counted bees by species and observed if those populations changed year to year. The students also collected a small number of bees, which were euthanized by freezing and then photographed from multiple angles to document aspects of their anatomy that relate to growth, flight, and pollination abilities. The students isolated DNA to identify pathogens and other microbes living inside the bees.

By Caitlin Penna

August 17, 2022

The Colby Achievement Program in the Sciences offers hands-on research experiences in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and other disciplines to incoming students who are underrepresented in the sciences. CAPS begins with a summer bridge program and continues with academic mentoring and social activities during the academic year. This summer, for the first time since the pandemic, the 13th cohort of CAPS students came to campus for an intensive five-week program of STEM education and cocurricular and extracurricular activities.

The students conducted research on campus and spent three days on Allen Island, part of Colby’s new Island Campus off midcoast Maine. The program also included day trips around Maine to learn about organic farming, stock up on supplies for the winter, and experience whitewater rafting at The Forks.

Multimedia Producer Caitlin Penna spent several days with the students to create this photographic essay.

CAPS students collected bees on Allen Island as part of Associate Professor of Biology Dave Angelini’s course about biodiversity. — CAPS students collect bees on Allen Island as part of Associate Professor of Biology Dave Angelini’s course about biodiversity.

Research student Thinley Wangden ’23 records data related to bees that CAPS students collected on Allen Island. — Research student Thinley Wangden ’23 records data related to bees that CAPS students collected on Allen Island in July.

Students synthesized a material known as polyaniline in a class taught by Chemistry Professor and CAPS Program Co-Director Jeff Katz. The material, which conducts electricity, can be coated on paper or cloth. — Students synthesized a material known as polyaniline in a class taught by Professor of Chemistry and CAPS Program Co-Director Jeff Katz. The material, which conducts electricity, can be coated on paper or cloth.

Chemistry Professor and CAPS Program Co-Director Jeff Katz assists students with a lab project involving polycaprolactone polymers during a class on campus. — Professor of Chemistry and CAPS Program Co-Director Jeff Katz assists students with a lab project involving polycaprolactone polymers during a class on campus.

Zora Lewis ’26, pulls strands of a polycaprolactone polymer. The biodegradable polymer can be used as dissolvable medical sutures. — Zora Lewis ’26 pulls strands of a polycaprolactone polymer. The biodegradable polymer can be used as dissolvable medical sutures.

This years CAPS students worked with Associate Professor Dave Angelini of Biology, by surveying the abundance of bumble bees species on Allen Island on July 12, 2022.They identified the individuals by species and counting them. This allowed them to see whether those populations are changing year to year. We also collected a limited number of bees. These bees were euthanized by freezing them and photographed from multiple angles, carefully documenting important aspects of their anatomy that relate the growth, flight and pollination abilities. Then they isolated the DNA from the digest track of the bee. That DNA is used to identify pathogens and other microbes living inside them. We also hope to eventually use these DNA samples to examine the relatedness of bees across the landscape.

Polycaprolactone polymer, a biodegradable polymer which can be used as dissolvable medical sutures

A student holds a stingless male bee as Zora Lewis ‘26 pulls strands of a polymer called polycaprolactone in a course taught by Professor of Chemistry and CAPS Program Co-Director Jeff Katz.

CAPS Program Coordinator Sasha Alcott works with students as they examine a polycaprolactone polymer.

Associate Biology Professor Dave Angelini helps Ava Oseback ’26 to catch a bee on Allen Island. — Associate Professor of Biology Dave Angelini helps Ava Oseback ’26 catch a bee on Allen Island.

David Roberts ’26 celebrates with Abdel Abdelsadig ’26 after catching his first bee on Allen Island, as Associate Biology Professor Dave Angelini offers his enthusiasm. — David Roberts ’26 (center) celebrates with Abdel Abdelsadig ’26 after catching his first bee on Allen Island as Associate Professor of Biology Dave Angelini offers his enthusiasm.

Net used for catching bees seen against the sky.

Wildflowers with a single bee collecting pollen.

A student chases an elusive bee during an outing on Allen Island in July. Students surveyed bumblebee species on the island and studied their ability to pollinate plants.