IEY Biology Students Present Their Research

Tonight IEY 8th graders presented their research projects to the administration, staff, family and friends.  Under the direction of science teacher Mrs. Reed and Language Arts teacher Ms. Mastro, these students have been working on their projects since last spring when they had to select a concentration. 

During the school year, and in addition to their Regents based Living Environments class, these students have been preparing a research paper.  Students were granted full access to the College of New Rochelle Gill Library and instructed how to use the research computers. 

Students benefited from guest speakers including Dr. Tom Price, cardiologist and pediatricians, Dr. Wager and Dr. Piazza.  Students toured the Sound Shore Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Well Baby Nursery where they learned about reflexes and developmental stages of babies.

In addition to their yearlong research projects students were required to present their work publicly.  At tonight's presentation students used notebooks, handouts and presentation boards to share their knowledge and answer questions. Students demonstrated a full grasp of their subjects.

Some students had quizzes including an Alzheimer's memory test and an aromatherapy challenge. At least two students had Hershey Kisses to attract questioners. Presentations tonight included: coronary heart disease, ADHD, cardiology -- dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart), cerebrovascular accidents, dermatology and Tommy Johns surgery.  Non-medical topics included pollution and global warming, astronomy, mechanical engineering.

In Dr. Korostoff's remarks he said how science has brought us so many of the remarkable advancements in the world today.  Mrs. Reed  complimented the students and how they came together as a group and could be seen in the cafeteria discussing their projects.  Principal Dr. Bongo complimented the department chair, Mrs. Heywood, in her work expanding this program. 

Each student was awarded a "Certificate for Outstanding Performance in the Living Environment Honors Program".  Cake and refreshments were served.

As per documentation provided to students, these are the course objectives of the IEYMS Research Biology Program -- As a part of the Isaac E. Young Middle School Honors science program, a group of students who have demonstrated exceptional academic promise in their first two years of middle school are given the opportunity to prepare for the New York State Living environment Regents exam in the 8th grade.  This exam is normally administered to high school students.  This accelerated program allows these students to take more advanced science courses in high school, including Advanced Placement courses in Chemistry, Biology and Physics. The objective of the IEY Middle School Research Biology Program is to offer these gifted students the opportunity to further their interest in student-identified areas of science by allowing them to participate in a variety of guest lectures, interviews and read/evaluate current scientific research in these areas of interest. Aside from self-discipline, independence, and interpersonal skills that the students develop, working directly with science professionals instills in them a genuine, long-lasting interest in sciences, as well as an early awareness of the value of serious academic work for success in their future careers.