Graphical Abstract
The STEM course is taught by Dr. Crowthers and focuses on scientific, engineering, computer science, and math-based research. Until March, students conduct independent research projects that involve reading and evaluating literature, making hypotheses, developing methodologies, designing and implementing experiments, and presenting results. Students’ final projects are showcased at the school-wide science fair in February, with the opportunity to advance to higher levels of competition, including regional, state, and international events. From March onward, students collaborate in teams to develop assistive technology devices. Their tasks range from designing prototypes and filing patents to bringing their products to market. The course also emphasizes organization, proactiveness, and curiosity. At the end of each segment of the course, students have the option to pursue publication of their research or innovation in a journal.
Scientific research on treatments for depression has grown dramatically over the past decade. However, many naturally occurring potential medications remain under-researched. Two such categories are prebiotics and probiotics. To fully harness their potential, it is essential to understand their synergy and their effects on depression in relation to gut health. Therefore, the goal of this project is to determine whether these treatments have a more significant impact on reducing depression levels in individuals with a specific gut type, either individually or in combination.
