Research Plan Template

Name(s):

Research Plan (to Accompany Form 1A)

A) Rationale
Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is
important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
Drug addiction is one of the leading causes of death in America. In 2017, 70,200 people died from drug overdose. This
world-wide problem has no approved withdrawal procedure for the individuals admitted to the hospital experiencing
life-threatening symptoms due to drug withdrawal. While methadone is commonly used to treat withdrawal
symptoms, it is not recommended for use with all patients due to the dependency some patients develop to
methadone.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a neurotransmitter and is known as the "love hormone" due to its natural euphoric effects.
While studies have been conducted with the PEA hormone, there have been no connections to studies which
experiment with replacing methadone with phenylethylamine. Due to this natural high the users often experience,
this science fair project will be based off the fact that this natural substance can inhibit the body to depress
withdrawal symptoms while not putting the patient at risk for addition to withdrawal drugs.
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected
Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): How can the researchers be sure that the planarian are addicted to caffeine? Does the amount
of caffeine or phenylethylamine affect the rate at which the planaria build an addiction to the drugs?
Hypothesis(es): If Phenylethylamine suppresses the symptoms of withdrawals due to the caffeine addiction, then will
it work as a natural replacement for methadone for drug users?
Engineering Goal(s): n/a
Expected Outcomes: To record the effects of the natural neurotransmitter Phenylethylamine and record whether the
planarian's withdrawal symptoms are suppressed.
Procedure(s)
Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do
not include work done by mentor or others.
Part I: Material Setup

Obtain materials from the following links from Carolina Biological:

Brown Planaria, Living: https://www.carolina.com/platyhelminthes/brown-planaria-
living/FAM_132954.pr?question=planarian
Phenylethylamine (PEA) Supplements:https://www.bulksupplements.com/products/phenylethylamine-hcl-pea-
powder?variant=29386516660335&currency=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwb3rBRDrARIsALR3XeY2xCsyk6LHmdm4RWFYnkIC
cdnU2Om13KpLSfYADlDbbgp9EoND8mwaAl3YEALw_wcB
Caffeine Supplements: https://www.carolina.com/specialty-chemicals-b-
c/caffeine/FAM_851570.pr?question=caffiene
Bacteria Plates:https://www.carolina.com/bacteria/pigmented-bacteria-set-plate-cultures-
living/154746.pr?question=bacteria+plates
2. Keep materials in assigned positions (PEA) supplements are kept in a locked medical cabinet in Ms. Allard’s school
classroom

Part II: Planaria Caffeine Addiction

Place (4) Planarian on (1) bacteria plate containing caffeine and mark initial gridlines (where the planarian are located)
with a sharpie on the top of the bacteria plate
Record the number of times the planaria cross the gridlines with 0,5,10, and 15 minute time increments
Research Plan Template

Name(s):
After the planarian have been exposed to caffeine for 24 hours remove the planarian from the bacteria plate
containing caffeine
Transfer the planarian to (1) bacteria plate containing no caffeine and record behavioral results (repeat step 2) and
note movement over gridlines
The decrease of movement after the 24-hour mark and transfer on plain bacteria plate depicts the addiction to
caffeine the planaria now have. Proceed to part III if these are the results depicted by the planarian if not visit the
following link for additional references
t:https://medicine.temple.edu/sites/medicine/files/files/seadap_drug_withdrawal_behavior_in_planarians.pdf

Part III: Addition and Behavioral Effects of Phenylethylamine

Continue with planarian used in Part II. Transfer the planarian from the plain bacteria plate to (1) bacteria plate
containing the drug phenylethylamine
Record the initial location of the planaria as the first gridline then record the number of times the planarian cross the
gridline with 0,5,10, and 15-minute time increments
Analyze the data and continue monitoring the planarian until locomotive behavior decreases
Record the behavior of the phenylethylamine and compare to the following link to determine if the planarian are
experiencing withdrawals:
https://medicine.temple.edu/sites/medicine/files/files/seadap_drug_withdrawal_behavior_in_planarians.pdf

Part IV: Planarian Care

Note: Follow these steps to maintain optimal health of the Planaria

Feed the planarian a pea sized amount of egg yolk from a boiled egg and allow them to eat for 30 minutes. Change
the water after each feeding.
Repeat step 1 once every seven days
Keep the water temperature 21-23 degrees Celsius
Keep the water clean and use a pipet to move the planarian when changing water

Risk and Safety

Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
Caffeine and phenylethylamine can be hazardous in case of skin contact, eye contact, and inhalation. Safety measures
include proper PPE such as aprons, gloves, goggles, and washing hands before and after experimentation. Chemicals
and organisms are kept in proper storage in a locked biology laboratory.
Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
1. record the number of gridlines the planarian cross between the time intervals 0,5,15, and 24 hour intervals
2. analyze the results and visit the following link for references on drug dependence with planaria:
t:https://medicine.temple.edu/sites/medicine/files/files/seadap_drug_withdrawal_behavior_in_planarians.pdf
IF Applicable
Below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your
research plan/project summary as applicable.
Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:
• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.
Phenethylamine and caffeine can both be irritating to the skin, eyes, stomach, and lungs. We will be wearing
gloves, aprons and goggles at all times when working with the chemicals. We are also using planarian but they have
no risk to humans. The chemicals will be disposed of by the Cobb county chemical waste disposal company.
Research Plan Template

Name(s):