Research Plan Template

Name(s):Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor Mcneal

Research Plan (to Accompany Form 1A)
A) Rationale
Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is
important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
Non-biodegradable plastic waste is a major cause of ocean pollution. Substituting plastic straws in place of paper
ones reduces plastic waste and helps combat climate change and environmental degradation. In our project last year,
we created a biodegradable straw out of corn husk waste, and we plan to continue to improve on the durability,
coherency, and aesthetic appeal of our design. Hopefully, this design will reach a degree of quality in which it can be
marketed to companies and retailers where it can serve as an environmentally sustainable option to traditional plastic
straws.
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected
Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): Can the accumulation of non-biodegradable plastic waste in oceans and other major bodies of
water be reduced by constructing a nontraditional-biodegradable straw out of a waste material that will function as
an environmentally friendly alternative to polymer straws with comparative functionality, standardization, and
aesthetic appeal?
Hypothesis(es): If we can improve upon our design from last year by strengthening the wall of the straw and improve
fiber distribution while adding a color, our straw will be more durable and aesthetically appealing than it was last
year.
Engineering Goal(s): To improve significantly upon our previous design from last year in order to make the straw both
more durable and marketable.
Expected Outcomes: A working straw with increased durability and visual appeal that will function as an
environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic straws.
Procedure(s)
Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do
not include work done by mentor or others.
1) Gather corn
2) Make mold to extract the pulp from corn husks
3) Begin by chucking 10 ears of corn
4) Mix 2 gallons of water and 8 table spoons of sodium carbonate
5) Place the husks into the pot and boil the water
6) Once the water boils turn the heat down to let in simmer for 2 hours
7) Remove corn from stalks from the water and rinse thoroughly
8) Place the chucks over a hard surface and smash it until there are individual fibers
9) Blend 2 cups of mashed corn husks and 2 cups of water for 20 seconds
10) Fill a basin with water and place a mold and decker on the water's surface
11) Pour blender contents into the center of the mold and spread the pulp over the screen
12) Add 5 drops of blue food coloring into the blender
13) Lift the mold and decker and allow the water to drain and separate the pulp
14) Remove the deckle and place cotton on top of the pulp and press down firmly with a sponge to remove water
15) Flip the mold and the cotton over so the cotton is on the bottom and remove the mold
16) Place a second cotton sheet over the pulp sheet and use a sponge to transfer water through the cotton sheet
17) Repeat that step until the cellulose sheet is nearly dry
18) Take the newly created cellulose and cut it into 1.5in by 8in strips
19) Use a thin skewer to roll the strip into a straw shape
20) Dissolve 2 grams of Chitosan flakes in an 5% acetic acid solution
 Research Plan Template

Name(s):Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor Mcneal

21) Stir until the solution is thick
22) Dip the newly formed straw in chitosan solution for 15 seconds
23) Allow this straw to completely dry before adding a coat of paraffin wax
24) Repeat steps 1-23 three times, altering the grams of Chitosan flakes in step 20 with 3, 4, and 5 grams.
25) Observe final product and conduct durability tests.
Risk and Safety
Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
1) Burns from 3-D printing
2) Cuts from a rough product
Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
We will create a tabulation of data that we collected through a variety of graphical experiments. We will test our
improved straw in water, soda, and hot tea to determine its durability in solutions of varying temperature and pH.
Additionally, we will record how long it takes for the straw to completely decompose in order to quantify the rate of
biodegrading compared with the rate of a plastic straw.
IF Applicable
Below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your
research plan/project summary as applicable.
Human participants research:
a. Participants: Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants. Identify vulnerable populations
(minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
b. Recruitment: Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
c. Methods: What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the
frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
d. Risk Assessment: What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal,
etc.) to participants? How will you minimize risks? List any benefits to society or participants.
e. Protection of Privacy: Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses)
be collected? Will data be confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected. If not
anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data be stored? Who will have
access to the data? What will you do with the data after the study?
f. Informed Consent Process: Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they
will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary, and they have the right to stop at any time.

Vertebrate animal research:

a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for use of vertebrates.
b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.
c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury
to the animals and detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages.
d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the numbers planned.
e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care
f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study. P o r n
Potentially hazardous biological agents research:
a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:

• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.
 Research Plan Template

Name(s):Bridgette Castronovo and Taylor Mcneal