Staff writer
Theo Kassebaum of rural Burdick spent two weeks in June conducting experiments related to altimeters and to how caffeine and energy drinks affect heart rhythms.
Theo, a senior at Centre High School, participated in Newman University’s investigative summer science program. She applied for the program after science teacher Kara Luce recommended it to her.
“I’m not sure what I want to do after I graduate,” Theo said, but she is interested in math and science.
She and 21 other students each selected two research topics — one on physical sciences and one on biology and physiology. Theo selected rocketry engineering and cardio-pulmonary health for her topics.
In the rocketry engineering, she and a partner tested the precision and accuracy of altimeters and how they are affected by age.
They tested new and old altimeters in a laboratory chamber and in rockets. There results showed no appreciable difference in accuracy between new and old altimeters. What difference they found was within the margin of error, she said.
Regarding cardiopulmonary health, they tested how energy drinks with ingredients in addition to caffeine affect heart rate compared to drinks with just caffeine. They tested the difference using an electrocardiogram. Their experiments showed a difference, but they didn’t have time to isolate what caused the difference, Theo said.
The groups then presented their findings to the rest of the program as papers and a presentation.
Based on her experience in the program, Theo said she is definitely giving more consideration to scientific studies than before.
“It was a lot of fun,” she said. “It gave me a lot to think about, and I learned a lot.”
The program was sponsored by Newman University, the Fred C. & Mary R. Koch Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation, and University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita.
Bill and Jennifer Kassebaum of rural Burdick are Theo’s parents.