Fox Lane’s Annual Science Research Symposium Highlights Students’ Journeys Through the Program

“I think it’s ironic that the stability of the universe is dependent on uncertainty,” Fox Lane senior Maxwell Bly said at the end of his keynote speech during the annual Science Research Symposium.

Maxwell, who spoke about his research project entitled “Demonstrating Quantum Uncertainty,” presented with the calm confidence you’d expect from a seasoned public speaker. At the same time, his subject matter went well over the heads of many (if not most) audience members.

While awe inspiring to those who watched, the skills that Maxwell exuded were ones that every student in Fox Lane High School’s Science Research program work on throughout their three-year journey.

Students from the program have worked on a wide variety of topics this year, partnering with mentors in their fields. Some of the topics included migraines, microplastics, the heredity of breast cancer in younger patients and bat populations in Westchester County.

Earlier in the presentation, students from all different levels of the program spoke about their experiences.

“This year has been so exciting,” said first-year Science Research student Leslie Asencio. “It challenged us to learn in new ways and set us up for working on our research this summer.”

Second-year student Hades Laskaris noted some of the skills learned so far.

“I’ve learned about public speaking as well as the complexities of a research paper,” Hades said. “I’ve gotten the opportunity to conduct research using NASA databases and a physical analog model. Most of all, I’ve gotten to be a part of an amazing scientific community within Fox Lane that has pushed me to becoming a better student and scientist.”

Shizuki Herzog, another second-year student in the program, noted how her work has allowed her to research an important local issue—the 2024 Hudson Valley drought.

“Through this work, I analyzed environmental data, wrote a research paper that is currently being reviewed for publication, and presented my findings at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair,” Shizuki said. “My study was recognized with the NASA Earth System Science Award, making this an incredible opportunity to develop my research, writing, and presentation skills while contributing to a better understanding of a significant local environmental issue.”

Third-year students Eliana Chiariello and Leah Friedman looked back at the experience as a whole with fondness.

“I've been a part of this beautiful scientific community that Fox Lane has fostered and made so many wonderful connections because of it,” Leah said. “Science Research, my amazing peers and my teachers have pushed me beyond my limits, allowing me to learn things I never expected to learn.”

Eliana noted the influence the program has had on her plans for the future.

“My experience in the program has solidified my scientific interests,” she said. “In my first and second years with a mentor from the University at Ottawa, I conducted research on painted lady butterfly migration, contributing to a widespread effort to catalog insect population movement in Sub-Saharan Africa. With this project, I competed in the semifinals of the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and earned the privilege of contributing to a research paper that will be published in the next year. This program has truly made an impact on my life.”

When the presentation was over, audience members were encouraged to explore students’ projects and watch senior slideshow presentations that reflected on their journeys in the program.

“It is surreal to look out at our seniors and think about everything you have accomplished in the last three years,” instructor Kelli Bravo said. “You went from learning the basics of science research to being pillars in our Science Research family and role models for your younger peers.”

Science Research students’ hard work and dedication is reflected in other areas of their lives as well.

“These students are not just Science Research students,” instructor Tom Bond said. “They’re very well rounded. Not only do they also participate in orchestra, sports, theater and art, but they excel at them too.”

You can view all of the students’ work in their virtual poster walk.