Science Research Symposium a Night for Celebration
A year of hard work deserved a celebration and that's exactly what Huntington High School's third annual Science Research Symposium was all about.
The evening drew a crowd of parents, teachers, administrators and friends of the students who went far beyond the regular classroom experience. The symposium kicked-off with a display of freshmen research posters where members of that group showed off summaries of their work and continued with interesting PowerPoint presentations by upperclassmen.
"It was a night for celebration of the hard work that the research students put into their projects," said Lori Pyzocha Kenny, a Huntington science teacher who leads the research program.
The evening saw 41 students give brief impressively poised and articulate 2-3 minute long overviews of their research, speaking to a packed room in the School Heritage Museum.
The event was hosted by senior Alexa Giammarino, who is interning with Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny. Ms. Giammarino, who is headed to Loyola University in the fall to study biology, opened the symposium with an inspiring speech that touched upon her interviews with Nobel Prize winning Cold Spring Harbor Lab scientist Dr. James Watson, who co-discovered the structure of DNA.
The upperclassmen did a fine job during their respective presentations, demonstrating both skill and knowledge and earning cheers from the large crowd. "Each year the symposium is even more successful and exciting," Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny said.
The house was packed with people of all ages and backgrounds who were excited to see the work of the research students. "I am so proud watching each of my students on this night because it is the conclusion of a long educational process which intensifies each year," Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny said.
Rae Montesano, Huntington's district director of science and instructional technology, agreed that it was "a wonderful event." She gave "huge kudos" to Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny "for all of her hard work with these very talented students."
Ms. Giammarino's role in bringing the symposium together is not to be underestimated. Ms. Montesano said the senior "prepared the event from start to finish, including making the program and acting as emcee."
Special invitations were sent to current J. Taylor Finley Middle School eighth graders who have enrolled in the high school science research program for next year, as well as to the first, second and third place science fair winners at each of the district's elementary schools.
Jefferson Primary School fourth grader Madison Buchholtz, was one of the elementary grade level youngsters who turned out for the symposium. "We were thrilled to have this experience," Madison's mother, Susan wrote in a follow-up e-mail to Ms. Montesano.
"Madison and I were very impressed this evening," Mrs. Buchholtz wrote. "Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny and her team did an amazing job. My daughter could not believe some of the topics that were chosen for science research. Even though she is 10 years old, she was able to understand a considerable amount of the projects that were discussed. She especially liked the project about the solar panels, and how this young lady was able to research solar energy."
"The students worked so hard, and they looked like they enjoyed it so," Ms. Montesano said.
Huntington's science research program continues to gather steam. Research students participated in 11 contests this year, winning 32 separate awards. While Mrs. Pyzocha Kenny heads the research program, many other Huntington science teachers have also been pitching in to help and encourage students with their research.