Global Climate Change, Hemophilia in Dogs, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome were among the topics presented by student researchers at Tappan Zee High School’s Science Symposium last week.
The Science Research Program, an elective taught by TZHS Science teacher Chris Lorusso, enables students to practice authentic and original scientific research on a topic of their choosing. Once students choose a topic they’re interested in, they begin the research process by reviewing published scientific literature on the topic as well as speaking with scientific mentors. They then develop a hypothesis, design and conduct a research study, analyze their findings, and ultimately present what they discovered at the Science Symposium.
“The Science Research program helps students build so many fundamental skills that they will use in the future. This course really helps build their research and critical thinking skills. It also helps improve their communication skills as they have to reach out to mentors that conduct research related to the topic they chose,” said Lorusso.
Many students chose to do their presentation on a topic that they have a personal connection to. Junior Ailish M. chose to do her research on Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita (CMTC), a rare congenital disorder that affects the blood vessels of the skin and soft tissue under the skin. “I chose this topic because I was actually born with CMTC. I wanted to study the disorder to see if I could detect any patterns in other people that have it and see what other symptoms or complications people have experienced,” explained Ailish.
Congratulations to all the Science Research presenters:
Ailish MacDonnell, “Cutis Marmorata Telangiectatica Congenita Birthmark”
Miles Hider, “APOE and APP Genes and Dementia”
Isabella Lamadrid, “Hemophilia in Dogs”
Ang Tanksley, “Global Climate Change: Native vs. Invasive Species On the Effects of CO2 and Ozone”
Cassidy Chang, “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome”
Meline Kalishian, “The Urban Heat Island Effect”
Sia Laddis, “Social and Emotional Intelligence in Men vs. Women”
Mia Perouniak, “Food insecurities and Deficiencies in Vitamins”
