Thank you for visiting my Independent Research portfolio.  My name is Maria Smith, and I am in tenth grade at Glenelg High School.  This is my second year in the Independent Research program.

My project involves observing the interactions of chimpanzees at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.  I will be determining the relationships among all of the chimpanzees at the Zoo, looking at how different factors affect their behavior, and comparing the data that I collect to what the keepers at the Zoo know about the structure of the group from their experience with the chimps.  I completed some preliminary observations so that I could learn more about the chimps at the Zoo and chimpanzee behaviors.  From February to May, I collected data.  I recently began my data analysis.  I continued working with Kathy Foat, Vice President of Interpretation, Education and Volunteer Programs, and Rebecca Gullott, Mammal Collection and Conservation Manager, at the Zoo this year.  Ms. Gullott and Mrs. Foat recently left the Zoo, but they will still help me finish my project.  Mrs. Foat and Ms. Gullott were the advisors for my project from last year, which involved observing cheetahs at the Zoo and investigating the effects of guest presence on their behavior.  I recently learned that I will have support from the Animal Department next year so that I can continue to research the chimps for my project for the Intern/Mentor program!

The best place to learn more about what I have been working on is the "Journals" section.  To see pictures of all of the chimpanzees, see the "Meet the Chimpanzees" section.  I have completed all of the sections of my portfolio.  Links to all of the sections are located at the top of this page.  The different pages in each section are listed on the left side of each page.

To learn more about the Independent Research program and my previous research at the Zoo, see the links on the left side of this page.