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Fox Lane Science Research Students Excel at Westchester-Rockland Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
Fox Lane High School Science Research students excelled at the recent Westchester-Rockland Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (WR-JSHS). Three students competed locally and eight competed regionally. Jacob Feldman and Kemari McClary earned first place and will be advancing to the Upstate New York Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. Rachel Akinla, who is also advancing to states, earned fourth place. Stephanie Long placed second in the local competition level.
“Symposiums are an opportunity for students to share their work with their peers from other schools,” teacher Amy Pirro said. “Doing so not only allows them to feel that their work has been recognized and shared with others, but it is an amazing opportunity for students to practice their public speaking skills as well as to mimic the way that real-world scientists share their work with their peers.”
Both Pirro and co-teacher Kelli Kinlen know that opportunities for students to present their work in symposiums helps improve their presentation skills and prepares them for competitive environments. Kinlen noted the confidence students gain from these experiences.
“Presenting in front of a panel of judges and other students can be overwhelming,” she said. “The symposium reinforced for students what Amy and I already know: that they are smart, talented kids who worked so hard to earn their spot. I hope that having the chance to present their original work made them as proud of their accomplishments as it made us.”
To celebrate students’ success, we spoke to the four competition winners.
Rachel Akinla
A Comparison of Arthropod Communities on Four Green Roof Habitat Types on a Single Roof
Can you explain your project?
A green roof is a roof covered with growing medium and vegetation, along with other structural and vegetative supports. My project looks at arthropod (bug) communities on different types of green roof habitats. Green roofs can vary in the type of vegetation that they are planted with, and this differing vegetation can influence arthropod biodiversity, abundance and richness.
Have you competed before? If so, how did this competition compare to others?
The WR-JSHS was not my first science competition, however, it was my first time competing in-person after being restricted to only competing online over Zoom. I was definitely nervous having to compete in-person but being able to share the experience with so many other students from different schools was an invaluable experience. It was great presenting my project not only to judges, but to a room of students who were interested in the same topics as me and went through similar experiences in their research projects.
Do you see yourself continuing with science after high school? What are your goals for the future?
I will be majoring in Environmental Science and Engineering at Harvard University in the fall. I hope to continue researching topics such as how green infrastructure benefits urban environments and the impacts of climate change on forests.
I am forever grateful for the Science Research program at Fox Lane. It has allowed me to explore my interest in urban ecology and the environment – areas of interest that I would not have been able to learn so much about and research without guidance provided by the program.
Jacob Feldman
The Geometry and Reactivity of a Novel Zirconium-Centered Coordination Complex Supported by a bis-PN Ligand Framework
Can you explain your project?
I researched specific kinds of compounds called coordination complexes. We synthesized two novel complexes. The first one may have catalytic properties for certain reactions. And the fact that we were able to go from the first compound to the second is promising in that it indicates that the ligand system we are using is flexible, which is an important aspect of catalysis.
If the complex we were able to synthesize is ultimately able to execute one or multiple reactions more efficiently than existing technologies, that could lead to more sustainability, as catalysts allow for reactions to be run in a manner that consumes fewer raw materials, uses less energy and generates less waste. It’s better for the environment and better for society as a whole because consumer products can be manufactured more cheaply.
Have you competed before? If so, how did this competition compare to others?
The only other presentation-style Science Research fair that I participated in prior to WR-JSHS was the Somers Science Fair, a competition for first-year students presenting proposed research studies. This was with a different project.
I did compete in the Regeneron Science Talent Search competition earlier this year with my current project, but Regeneron STS is formatted differently — it's an application as opposed to a slideshow and presentation, like JSHS and Somers. I really enjoyed JSHS as a result of its in-person format! I was definitely a little nervous going into the competition, but I started relaxing and enjoying the presentations more as the day progressed.
What is your favorite part about competitions like this?
I really, really love sharing my research with other people. I particularly enjoy answering questions after presenting my project, as I love the opportunity to engage with the audience and discuss chemistry with them. I also appreciated the opportunity offered by JSHS to learn about the diverse research projects of students from other schools in my category of physical science.
If you see yourself continuing with science after high school, what are your goals for the future?
I intend on majoring in chemistry and/or physics in college. I do hope to conduct research as an undergraduate! After that, I intend to pursue a PhD in chemistry or physics and then continue in academia. I love both research and teaching, so my ultimate career goal is to become a research professor. This is thinking very far ahead, but I intend on retiring from academia at some point and teaching high school physics or chemistry.
Stephanie Long
Qualifying Possible Artemis III Landing Sites Through Analysis of Boulder Distributions
Can you explain your project?
This past summer and school year I had the ability to work on my favorite project yet in Science Research. The Artemis missions are NASA's newest phase of lunar exploration. My project focused on developing and utilizing a method to analyze the geologic environment of possible landing sites. The topography of the Artemis III landing site is important for two main reasons: to provide adequate sampling opportunities for NASA astronauts and to assure landing safety. One of the really cool parts of my project is that the results that I generated are directly applicable, as they will assist my mentor at NASA in selecting the Artemis III landing site.
Have you competed before? If so, how did this competition compare to others?
While I have competed before — with a different project — WR-JSHS was significant for me as it was the first time I presented in person in front of both judges and other students. These types of events definitely make me nervous, but after presenting, the feeling of accomplishment is worth the hundreds of hours of work spent on the project. At WR-JSHS, I was able to find and talk to a lot of other students who also conduct astronomy research, which was very exciting as astronomy is a rare topic within our own Science Research program here at Fox Lane.
Do you see yourself continuing with science after high school? What are your goals for the future?
After high school, I plan to continue to foster my love for science. In the fall I will be concentrating in Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace Applications at Brown University. I have always been fascinated with space exploration and I hope that I am able to continue to contribute to efforts of not just space exploration, but efforts of developing sustainable space exploration practices. I truly believe that the Science Research program and the amazing science research teachers at Fox Lane have given me countless opportunities to explore different areas of science and discover what I am passionate about.
Kemari McClary
Evaluating the Amount of Serious Gameplay Required to Achieve Competence in Managing Perioperative Anaphylaxis
Can you explain your project?
My project is testing a serious game — a video game for the sole purpose of educating the users — to see if it successfully teaches anesthesia interns how to manage anaphylaxis that occurs during surgery.
Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction caused by an antigen. I was in charge of teaching the interns how to play the game and then analyzing the data. The participants took pre- and post-tests in order to access their knowledge of managing anaphylaxis and to track the growth in knowledge.
Have you competed before? If so, how did this competition compare to others?
I have competed in other science research competitions, for example the Somers Science Fair and Regeneron’s Westchester Science & Engineering Fair. However, due to the pandemic, this was my first time competing in-person. I was more nervous during the WR-JSHS than I was for the other competitions because it is my last year in the program and I wanted to do well. I was most nervous to present, but once I got a couple of slides in, my nerves eased.
What is your favorite part about competitions like this?
I appreciate how supportive everyone — students and faculty — are and learning about the amazing research my peers are conducting. I received great advice and feedback leading up to the competition. I met so many intelligent, kind and amazing people from all over the Westchester-Rockland area. However, the most exciting part of the competition for me was the awards ceremony. Although the anticipation was high, it was so fun celebrating all who competed, regardless of the award.
If you see yourself continuing with science after high school, what are your goals for the future?
I will be a public health major on the pre-med track. After undergrad, I intend to go to medical school and pursue my career goal to become an anesthesiologist. I am so fortunate to have had anesthesiologist Dr. Allison Lee as not only my mentor for this project, but as a role model.