South Orangetown Central School District

How to Prove the Theory of Relativity, Vitamin and Food Deficiencies in Teens and Hemophilia in Dogs 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. Students may do research on topics relating to medicine, biology, chemistry, physics, computers, weather, astronomy, geology, engineering, technology, mathematics, psychology or the social sciences. “The students have the freedom to choose what they want to research and it makes the research so much more authentic. It allows them to be more vested in what they’re doing and they’re self-motivated,” said Lorusso. 

Once students choose their topic, they begin the research process by reviewing published scientific literature on the topic and speak with scientific mentors. For their research project, they have to develop a hypothesis, design and conduct a research study, analyze their findings and ultimately present what they discovered at the annual Science Symposium.

The Science Research Program is open to students in grades 9-12 and many students choose to take the class more than once to continue and expand on their research. Some students are also intending to further their research when they go to college. Senior Isabella L. will be attending the University of Maine, where she will major in animal and veterinary sciences and her research project is about dogs with Hemophilia, which is a blood clotting disorder. “I am going to continue researching my topic and during my senior year, I’m planning to study this topic for my Capstone class where I will be able to gain real lab experience,” said Isabella.

Congratulations to all the Science Research presenters:

Isabella L., “Hemophilia in Dogs”
Mia P., “Vitamin and Food Deficiencies in Teens”
Lily L., “How to Prove the Theory of Relativity”
Miles H., “APOE and APP Genes and Dementia”
Alexondria W., “The Effects of Art Therapy on Motor Stereotypies”
Owen E., “Increasing the Importance of Preserving Distinct Communities of Interest in Legislative Redistricting”
Delajla G., “Occupational Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injuries”
Aoife K., “The Conservation of Sea Turtle Nesting Habitats”
Keira L., “Breakthrough Technology Can Help Heal ACL Injuries”
Valencia M., “Art Therapy”
Isa M., “Effects of Alcoholism on Family and Friends of the Alcoholic”
Avichai S., “Peripheral Nervous System Controlled Prosthetics”
Emma V., “PTSD and Blue Light Therapy”
Laura H., “Melanoma in Felines”

Science Symposium