Christopher Chieh

I was born in Monrovia, Liberia (West Africa). I graduated in 1985 from Cathedral High School. I attended the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where I received my B.Sc. (Hons) in Biology. Presently, I attend Hunter College and am pursuing a master’s degree in Science education. I am a proud participant of the Woodrow Wilson 2002 Commuter Institute on Biodiversity and Biocomplexity.

I have been teaching for two years. I teach the Living Environment Biology and Physical Setting Earth Science in a small public high school in Manhattan called Lower Manhattan Outreach Center. We are located in the West Village and part of the Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education Schools and Programs. We incorporate hands-on activity, inquiry-based learning and technology in all subject areas. I am blessed to be a part of a dedicated and caring staff that make sure all students receive the time and attention needed to set and achieve academic, career and personal goals.

Before teaching I was a Laboratory Intern and an Aids Counselor for two years. I did these two careers to gain more experience while attending a school of medical laboratory technology in Nigeria.

My hobbies include playing basketball, jogging, walking and listening to soft gospel music.

This summer I worked with other members from the Cathedral alumni association to raise money to buy books, computers and portable water for the needed students and teachers at Cathedral High School.

PROJECT INFORMATION

 The theme of my project is to investigate the ecological nature of leaf litters. My investigation began with a field trip to the Constitution Marsh in Up State, New York. Leaf litters were collected and brought into the laboratory at Pace University.

In the laboratory, a Berlese apparatus was set up. It consists of a simple funnel and a bit of screening nitex that is fitted over the small end of a funnel. A sample of leaf litter was placed in the funnel. An incandescent lamp was placed over the funnel. A small petri dish with a bit of damp paper towel was placed under the funnel. After twenty-four hours, small invertebrates were driven down through the funnel by the heat and desiccation caused by the lamp, and they fall through onto the moist paper towel in the petri dish.

Results:

Under the microscope, pseudoscorpions, tardigrades, insect larvae, microarthropods and other soil organisms were seen.

The Gram staining technique was used to reveal these bacteria found associated with the leaf and soil debris.