Science
News and Events
Math and Science Fairs
Elementary schools in the Long Beach School
District recently hosted events celebrating the wonders of math and
science.
At the Lindell School Third Grade Math Fair, students introduced their
parents to the magic of math using calculators, dice, Smart Boards and
playing cards to demonstrate their ability to manipulate numbers.
Meanwhile, fourth graders were busy creating research projects that
enhanced their knowledge of the scientific method, including a question,
hypothesis, list of materials, procedure, data and conclusion for each
project.
The entire student body at Lido School participated in the MST Fair,
showcasing their knowledge of math, science and technology with projects
that explored topics as varied as ecosystems, magnets, the human body,
galactic travel, food chains, buoyancy and more.
Students at East School received a visit from John Hinton, math
professor at LIU CW Post and publisher of Math Matters, a national
journal of math games for elementary and middle school teachers.
Professor Hinton engaged students in activities such as “Order in the
House,” a game in which students were asked to roll dice, add the
numbers, and use their reasoning skills to try to place the sums in
order from least to greatest. Student were also intrigued by a guessing
game called “Join the Club,” in which they were invited into Professor
Hinton’s club when they were able to surmise the number pattern and
guess the next number in a given sequence.
LBHS Science Symposium
After a grueling yet successful season of local,
regional and international competitions, students in the Long Beach
High School Science Research Program gathered together one last time to
celebrate their achievements and present their research to family and
friends at their annual Science Symposium.
This year, as in past years, there was much to celebrate. Students won
more than forty awards at eight competitions. Two teams of students
qualified to compete at the Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (ISEF) in Pittsburgh, PA. Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth, both
seniors, earned a second-place grand award in Environmental Sciences as
well as first-place awards from the American Veterinary Medical
Association and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership, winning a total of
$5,500 in prize money. Joining them at the competition were Zachary
Klein and Andrew Hurst, also seniors.
In addition, Arianne and Jane qualified to compete at the International
Sustainable World (Engineering, Energy and Environment) Project Olympiad
(I-SWEEEP), which took place in Houston, TX on May 3-6, where they
earned a gold medal in the Environmental category and went on to capture
the coveted Grand Award in that category. Junior Caroline Walsh, who
also qualified for I-SWEEEP, earned a silver medal in the Energy
category.
At the New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), juniors
Brandon Levokove and David Velez took home a first-place award in Plant
Sciences as well as a special award from the Society for In Vitro
Biology. Senior Aditi Gupta won a second-place award in Environmental
Sciences, while sophomores Chandler McMillan and Hunter Rogoff earned a
second-place award in Environmental Management and sophomore Jamie
Morgenstern was awarded third place in Environmental Sciences. Junior
Caroline Walsh took home the ASM Materials Education Foundation Award
and the US Air Force Award.
In the NYSSEF Andromeda Division, second-place awards were earned by
freshmen Justin Barry, Marc Pittinsky, Jake Kritzberg and Andrew Luisi.
Joining them in the winner’s circle with third-place awards were
freshmen Julia Berkowitz, Halle Henry, Sophie Sackstein, Hannah Sofield
and Clare Sweeny.
At the local level, students competing at the Long Island Science and
Engineering Fair came home with two first-place, one third-place, one
honorable mention and one special award. The Long Island Science
Congress proved to be an equally successful competition, with students
earning a total of twelve awards.
Students in grades 9-12 who participate in the Science Research Program
developed their projects this year under the direction of teacher
Veronica Ade, with the helping hands of teaching assistant Cynthia
Kenney. Through classroom instruction in grades 9 and 10, they learn the
key ingredients of the scientific method, oral and written
presentations, research and writing skills and lab safety. Juniors and
seniors participate in independent study research.
Intel ISEF Winners
For the second year in a row, the team of Arianne Papa
and Jane Smyth, both seniors, earned a second-place grand award in
Environmental Sciences at the Intel International Science and
Engineering Fair (ISEF), held this year on May 14-18 in Pittsburgh, PA.
The pair also walked away with first-place awards from the American
Veterinary Medical Association and the Consortium for Ocean Leadership,
earning a total of $5,500 in prize money. This is the third consecutive
year that the duo qualified for the prestigious ISEF competition.
Arianne and Jane’s research focused on water pollution in Reynolds
Channel as well as other Long Island bays, and the effect that pollution
has on the flounder populations in those waterways.
Joining them at the competition were fellow science research students
Zachary Klein and Andrew Hurst, also seniors. Their research enabled
them to create a wind turbine that captures both wind and solar energy
in order to improve its energy efficiency. All four students worked
under the supervision of science research teacher Veronica Ade, who
accompanied them to Pittsburgh for the weeklong competition.
Intel ISEF is recognized as the premier science competition in the
world, exclusively for students in grades 9-12. All four students
qualified for this honor by earning first-place awards at state and
local science competitions.
I-SWEEEP Grand Award Winners
For the second year in a row, a Long Beach High School
team took home a grand prize in the International Sustainable World
(Engineering, Energy and Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP), which
took place in Houston, Texas on May 3-6. Competing against more than
450 top projects from over 40 states and 68 countries around the world,
seniors Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth earned a gold medal in the
Environmental category and went on to capture the coveted Grand Award in
that category. They followed in the footsteps of Long Beach graduates
Jackie Bokor and Hannah Berkowitz, who won both top prizes at the 2011
competition. Arianne and Jane’s research studied water pollution in
Reynold’s Channel as well as the other Long Island bays, and the effect
that pollution has on the flounder populations in those waterways. In
addition, junior Caroline Walsh earned a silver medal in the Energy
category. Caroline created solar cells that use natural pigments found
in plants such as carrots, blueberries and beets to harness solar power.
Together the three students earned $3,800 in prize money.
Arianne and Jane are no strangers to the I-SWEEEP Winner’s Circle. This
is the third consecutive year they earned gold medals in the
Environmental category. The first year they competed at I-SWEEEP as
freshmen, they took home a bronze medal. But the pair won’t have much
time to bask in the glory of victory. They will be heading off to
Pittsburgh on May 13-18 to compete at the 2012 Intel International
Science and Engineering Fair, where they will be joined by fellow
seniors Andrew Hurst and Zachary Klein. Students developed their winning
projects in the Science Research program, under the direction of
Science Research teachers Cody Onufrock and Veronica Ade.
Organized by the Cosmos Foundation, I-SWEEEP is the largest science fair
event of its kind in the world. According to the official I-SWEEEP
website, the objective of the competition is to spark interest in and
awareness of our planet’s sustainability challenges; to accelerate the
progress toward a sustainable world by engaging young minds at an early
age to develop an environmentally conscious global community; and to
inspire personal responsibility in caring for the planet and those who
share it. Over $350,000 in scholarships and prizes are awarded each
year.
Science Competition Winners
Two LBHS Teams Qualify for Intel ISEF
Competing at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF), two
teams of Long Beach High School students received first-place awards,
qualifying them for the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering
Fair (ISEF), in Pittsburgh, PA on May 13-18.
Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth, both seniors, won first place in the
Environmental Sciences category and also received the I-SWEEEP Award.
Arianne and Jane studied water pollution in Reynold’s Channel as well as
the other Long Island bays, and the effect that the pollution has on
the flounder populations within those waterways. They have proposed to
utilize local mussels for bioremediation of the polluted waters. Andrew
Hurst and Zachary Klein, also seniors, took first place in the
Electrical and Mechanical Engineering category. In addition to their
first-place finish, they won the National Society of Professional
Engineers Award. Andrew and Zachary were able to create a wind turbine
that captured both wind and solar energy in order to improve energy
efficiency of the device.
Several other students achieved notable results at LISEF. Junior
Caroline Walsh earned a second-place award in Energy and Transportation.
Caroline created solar cells that used natural pigments found in plants
such as carrots, blueberries and beets, to harness solar power. Juniors
Brandon Levokove and David Velez took home a third-place award in Plant
Sciences, as well as an award from the American Meteorological Society.
David and Brandon used a fungus to remove harmful pollutants such as
acid rain, and also to reduce dependency on fertilizers, thus reducing
the harmful effect of runoff. Sophomores Chandler McMillan and Hunter
Rogoff received honorable mention in the Environmental Management
category, as well as the Ricoh Sustainability Award. Their research
involved the use of soybeans in combination with either a bacteria or a
fungus to remove aluminum contaminants from soil.
ISEF, which is one of the world’s premier global science competitions
for students in grades 9-12, provides an annual forum for more than
1,500 high school students from 65 countries, regions and territories to
display their independent research.
Three Students to Compete at I-SWEEEP
Long Beach High School students Arianne Papa, Jane Smyth and Caroline
Walsh all qualified to compete at the International Sustainable World
(Engineering, Energy & Environment) Project Olympiad (I-SWEEEP) on
May 3-6 in Houston, TX. They will join more than 1,000 top high school
researchers from all over the world to share ideas, experience and
knowledge to promote global sustainability.
LBMS Students Compete at LI Science Congress
At the junior level, 13 students were chosen to represent Long Beach
Middle School at the Long Island Science Congress Junior Division at
Farmingdale State College on March 29. The students who qualified to
compete were Kailey Ahearn, Mashiyat Ahmed, Gabrielle Ayzenberg, Chloe
Curley, Kelly Cannon, Savannah Kile, Kristen Miciotta, Shane Morris,
Mary Sabedra, Leah Shokrian, Justin Simms, Ali Thursland and Cassidy
Zawatson. Award winners will be announced at the end of April. The
students were selected based on their performance in the Long Beach
Middle School Science Fair and a second qualifying round at their
school.
Summer Science Opportunities!
See the attached flyer for additional information.
Also – Stony Brook University is offering an in-depth introduction to oceanography course at Stony Brook University for high school students. This is an intensive 3 credit course for high school students wishing to earn three college credits. The course will take place at the Stony Brook Southampton campus, and students will need to provide their own daily transportation. Please contact Dr. Kurt Bretsch at Kurt.Bretsch@stonybrook.edu for additional information.
Long Island Science Congress
Thirteen students were chosen to represent Long Beach Middle School at the Long Island Science Congress Junior Division at Farmingdale State College on March 29. The students who qualified to compete were Kailey Ahearn, Mashiyat Ahmed, Gabrielle Ayzenberg, Chloe Curley, Kelly Cannon, Savannah Kile, Kristen Miciotta, Shane Morris, Mary Sabedra, Leah Shokrian, Justin Simms, Ali Thursland and Cassidy Zawatson. Award winners will be announced at the end of April. The students were selected based on their performance in two rounds of presentations, including the Long Beach Middle School Seventh-Grade Science Fair. Congratulations to all of our competitors and their teachers, Ms. Camacho, Ms. Kalner, and Mr. Tobia.
The 2012 Science Research Competition
was held on Mach 19 at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
Congratulations to all the winners below.
Chandler McMillan and Hunter Rogoff – Rioch Sustainability Award, LISEF – Environmental Management Honorable Mention
Caroline Walsh – LISEF – Energy and Transportation – 2nd Place
Brandon Levokove and David Velez – American Meteorological Society Award, LISEF – Plant Sciences 3rd Place
Andrew Hurst and Zachary Klein – National Society of Professional Engineers Award, LISEF – Engineering; Electrical and Mechanical – 1st Place – Qualify for ISEF
Arianne Papa and Jane Smyth – ISWEEEP Award, LISEF – Environmental Sciences – 1st Place – Qualify for ISEF
Environmental Science Career Exploration Program
High School Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors:
Cornell University Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County is offering a weekday lecture series on Thursday evenings in April and May. The program offers environmental science volunteer and shadow opportunities. The lectures will take place on 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10 and 5/17 at the Yaphank Building in Yaphank, NY.
Please see
www.ccesuffolk.org for information and registration forms.
Environmental Action
A group of Long Beach High School students recently met with the City of Long Beach Environmental Advisory Board to discuss a series of proposals. Seniors Jane Smyth and Arianne Papa presented their recommendations for a natural and cost-effective method of water remediation in Reynolds Channel. Another group of students proposed creating signage for the boardwalk that describes migrating birds, local fish and other natural items of interest.
Papa and Smyth, who have conducted chemical testing on the waters just east of the sewage plant that drains into Reynolds Channel, found that there were higher-than-expected levels of chlorine nearest to the point of water discharge. Chlorine is a substance used in sewage treatment to destroy harmful bacteria. While the levels found in the water were within regulated and accepted baseline standards, the two found that there was a dearth of aquatic life in the immediate path of the effluent. There is currently no de-chlorinating process in place to treat discharge from the plant.
The pair, which has been conducting award-winning research to test the use of Atlantic ribbed mussels as biofilters, discovered that the mussels digested chlorine at an exceptional rate, and not only survived but thrived in random samples of the discharged water. The girls proposed building a wooden structure in the water near the sewage plant that could be populated with mussels to act as a natural bio-filter for chlorine and other chemicals. These mussels, which are indigenous to Reynolds Channel, would have no impact on the natural ecosystem.
The second group of students presented two proposals for projects at the boardwalk. The first was for a mural at the boardwalk wall at the foot of Washington Boulevard that would depict an underwater seascape representing indigenous species. The second proposal was to create a series of permanent environmental signs to educate visitors about the geography and ecology of the barrier island. The signs would feature information about native and migratory birds and other organisms that make their home on the beach and ocean surrounding the barrier island.
The Long Beach Environmental Advisory Board, which was formed in August 2009, is comprised of seven members appointed by the city manager. The goals of the board are to advise, assist and make recommendations to the city manager and the city council in developing local programs to protect, restore and enhance the environment.
Science Rules at East School
Did you ever wonder how mammals keep warm, what
acid pollution does to mollusk shells, or whether it is possible to
change the properties of a solid? The answers to these and many other
questions could be found at East School’s Science and Technology Fair.
All students in grades 3-5 completed a scientific research project,
which they presented to parents and fellow students at the fair.
Students worked in groups to research their topics and to develop and
test their hypotheses using the scientific method. After determining a
question, hypothesis, materials, procedure and conclusion, they compiled
the results of their experiments on presentation boards. This exercise
was created to expose students to the research, scientific method and
oral presentation skills they will need when they move on to middle
school.
Update Feb. 10, 2012
Summer Study Opportunities:
Alfred University Summer Programs – Engineering and Science Camps
Please visit www.alfred.edu/summer/hs.cfm for information on Alfred University’s summer academic enrichment program for high school students. Opportunities include courses in Renewable Energy, Computer Engineering, Engineering the Elements, Robotics, and Consumer Chemistry.
Stony Brook University Center for Science and Mathematics Education
Stony Brook University offers summer programs for both middle and high school students throughout the summer. See www.stonybrook.edu/cesame for program details.
Please call the Science Director Kenneth Graham at 771-3960 for additional information on these summer programs.
Connecting with the Environment
The lessons they had learned in their science
classes took on a new level of real-world relevance for Long Beach High
School students when they met with Dr. James Browne, an environmental
conservationist for the Town of Hempstead. He spoke to them about his
studies of coastline changes and water quality in local waters.
Dr. Browne detailed his work in the town’s program to restore shellfish
reefs in areas such as the shallow waters west of Island Park.
“Shellfish are a keystone species,” he explained. “They are natural
engineers. Other species depend on them. They clarify the water and
provide food for animals such as water fowl.”
He then went on to explain other aspects of his work, such as collecting
tide data and charting the changes in the marshland area in the South
Shore Estuary Reserve. Using aerial photography, he and his team have
been studying changes in the marsh islands, channels and inlets over
time. One of the long-term trends he has observed is a rise in sea
levels. “These studies are especially vital to coastline communities
such as ours because the depth of water can have an effect on waves. The
marsh shallows play an important role in absorbing wave energy and
limiting wave size during storms.”
The group, which included students in introductory, International
Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement biology and environmental science
courses, along with students from the Long Beach Science Research
program, listened intently as Dr. Browne passed around photos, charts
and maps detailing his work. They asked him questions about the process
he and his team are using to grow shellfish reefs and discussed
information they had read about the effects of the effluent produced by
the Bay Park Treatment plant on local waters. After the presentation,
students stayed behind to discuss some of their own environmental
experiments with Dr. Browne.
Operation Medicine Cabinet
While conducting studies of local bay pollution
for her Science Research class, Long Beach High School senior Arianne
Papa was surprised to find that water samples taken from Reynolds
Channel contained low levels of pharmaceuticals. Using a UV spectral
photometer to test for peak wavelengths of certain drugs in the water
samples, she discovered traces of over-the-counter and prescription
formulas that people dispose of every day were contaminating the waste
lines.
With the cooperation of the Long Beach Police Department, Arianne
organized Operation Medicine Cabinet to help stem the flow of these
drugs into our waterways and landfills. Working with fellow National
Honor Society members Jordan Jaffe and Andrew Hurst, NHS advisor Nora
Bellsey and Long Beach Police Detective Sergeant Karl Hayes and Officer
Angelo Peppe, Arianne set up a collection station for unwanted and
expired medicines at two recent High School concerts. The Long Beach
Police Department will ensure safe and proper disposal of the
medications.
“Sewage treatment plants are not testing for pharmaceuticals before
discharging the water in the environment,” noted Arianne. “People don’t
realize the impact on the environment.”
LBMS Science Fair
Now in its 38th year, the Long Beach Middle
School Science Fair continues to provide students with an opportunity to
become actively involved in hands-on scientific research. This
experience gives every seventh grader a taste of the kind of enriching
challenges that await them in the High School Science Research program,
IB program, and other college-level science courses.
The Long Beach Middle School Science Fair gives students the opportunity
to learn the skills of a scientist by performing their own scientific
investigations. The emphasis of these projects is on inquiry, discovery
and proper use of the scientific method. Students are charged with the
task of identifying a problem that they would like to explore, and then
tackling that problem through the lens of the scientific method.
Students studied the effects of car exhaust, caffeine, Clorox, iodine,
mold and rust and carbonated drinks on plants, animals and the
environment. No animals were put at risk during experimentation.
Project topics ranged from green energy systems and hydroponics to
investigations of the physics of crater creation and the effect of
gender on the ability to decipher words in different colors. The
students worked with their teachers to develop their problem statement
and an appropriate hypothesis, which they then tested.
At the Science Fair, students were judged for their abstracts, the
physical appearance of the projects, oral presentation, use of controls
and sampling techniques, use of the scientific method, originality of
their projects, validity of their conclusions, and ability to answer
questions about the projects. Throughout the course of their
presentations, they engaged in lively exchanges with the judges about
their findings. Students shared their discoveries with a larger audience
of family and friends during the public presentation.
