Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

It looks like you're in the idea position to conduct a fantastic observational science project. I say "observational" because as you and the others have all commented, interacting and manipulating these sea turtles is likely to be forbidden given that they're an endangered species. But you can still collect a lot of information about them and use that information to look for trends and correlations. I have a couple of suggestions to get you started on your process.

1) Given your age (6th form) and the amazing opportunity you have to gather some cutting edge data, you could work towards an advanced science project that you might be able to enter into some of the world's top science competitions. The Science Buddies Advanced Project Guide [https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ndex.shtml] has a wealth of information for you. Most critical at the moment is the Roadmap: How to Get Started on an Advanced Science Project [https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... dmap.shtml]. You're already on Step 3: narrowing your idea (learning more about sea turtles) into a testable question and hypothesis. So go read this section and the roundtable discussion from other students on "Finding an Idea for an Advanced Science Project" [https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... 2008.shtml]. What you'll notice is that one of the key things is finding out more about what has already been published about sea turtles. As you do this, you'll also learn what isn't known....and that will lead you to a question and a hypothesis.

2) As we already stated, your project will be "observational." Here is a summary of the different types of observational studies: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tion.shtml. There is a long, and noble, tradition of observational animal science research. Jane Goodall's famous work studying chimpanzee social structures in the wild is an excellent example! Here are two Science Buddies' animal observation studies which may help to give you a general idea of how to structure your project and thoughts: Bat Detector: Listen to the Secret Sounds of Bats [https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p024.shtml] and Where, Oh Where Do the Wild Wolves Wander [https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p056.shtml].

3) As I mentioned in point #1, reading the literature is really what is going to help you figure out a question and hypothesis. But I really like one of the ideas you came up with: dissecting the eggs that fail to hatch. Perhaps you could look in the literature to see what has been published about why some eggs hatch and others don't. What is known to effect that? Temperature? Location in the nest...i.e., middle vs. edge? Number of eggs laid? What is "wrong" with the ones that don't hatch? Are they fertilized? Do they start to develop? If so, at what point do they arrest? Is there a trend? A particularly vulnerable window of development? Do they appear to be normal and arrested, or do they have physical abnormalities? There are a lot of questions here. Look at the literature, see what has been discovered already, and then use that to develop a more focused question and an outline of what you'll need to answer the question.

4) As you move forward don't hesitate to reach out to scientists to ask your questions. This forum is a good resource, so are the researchers you're working with (and they're more likely to know specifics about sea turtles). As you read the literature and focus in on a question you might find that one particular researcher's work is central to your project. You can try to contact them too. Or if you get involved in dissections etc. reach out to developmental biologists who might be able to help you identify what you're seeing. Remember, science is collaborative - it is important to go out there and ask people what they know. Be respectful, but don't hesitate to ask. Some people might not have time to help; but if you keep reaching out you WILL find a great mentor.

Best of luck - I really think you have an amazing opportunity in front of you and you may be able to make a novel scientific contribution to sea turtle biology and conservation!