SCITECH RECENTLY: Strategizing Herpetological Thesis Fieldwork (Day 2)
By: Kimberly Alao
Drawing from the insights gained during the seminar, fourth-year science students gathered in Room 707 of the Central Laboratory to discuss herpetological techniques for their fieldwork. While Day 1 of Fieldwork 101: Back to Basics focused on lectures and orientations, Day 2 transitioned into hands-on experiences and in-depth discussions centered around the students’ upcoming fieldwork in Marinduque.
During the second day of the seminar workshop, the UST-Herpetological Research Collection incorporated a thorough strategic plan to ensure that the students’ theses effectively gathered and analyzed data while making the experience exciting, successful, and fun. Although scientific research entails on-field sampling and data analysis for the manuscript, planning is crucial for achieving various goals in any field.
Juliana Dionisio, one of the event participants and an incoming 4th-year student from the Environmental Biology program, aptly said, “I always feel happy when working in the lab. Herpetology, for me, is so fun. We’re not just stiff, but [we] always go with the flow.” Day 1 covered essential survival tips such as first aid, CPR, and wound treatment. These sessions set clear expectations for field behavior and provided crucial information that proved invaluable for the planning on Day 2. The preparations included detailed guidance on what to bring and how to prepare mentally and physically for the fieldwork. Through that orientation, ideas were designed to equip over 100 students and participants from the Environmental Biology and Medical Biology programs with the necessary skills and knowledge for their fieldwork during the planning meeting. The thorough planning strategies emphasized during the sessions ensured that participants were well-prepared and could look forward to a successful and enjoyable fieldwork experience.
On August 4, all students from this group who participated in the above seminar plan to embark on a two-week fieldwork trip to Marinduque, their sampling site for their theses. They planned logistics and equipment gathering and finalized preparations for departure last Friday. Each student group, including the Herpetology Group from Laboratory 707, had been preparing since March. They had been planning intensively in their laboratories, coordinating with professors, and ensuring all necessary preparations were in place. The fieldwork involved collecting specimens of amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, and spiders, followed by various analyses related to their theses.
