One hundred Woodland Middle School students are actively involved in research through the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program. The program is a combined effort of science research teacher Douglas Bange, math teacher Eileen Lewner and chairperson of science and math Maureen Vella. A number of projects will be entered into the Long Island Math Fair, the Long Island Science Congress and the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.“This innovative program allows students interested in math or science to expand their knowledge and interest in STEM’s research opportunities,” Mr. Bange explained.
The science and math research projects are innovative and technical in nature. Eighth-grade researchers Tom Botman, Yousef Noureldeen and Edward Park are examining how a variety of lights affect plant growth as compared to normal sunlight conditions. Jason Steiner and Aarij Zubair are building a model of a fractal, a geometric pattern generated by successive subdivisions, and examining how math and science components can be utilized to predict trends on Wall Street. Meanwhile, Nicholas Caprino, Joshua Cassinera and Joseph Matchekosky are examining the physics and mathematics of football and baseball and studying ways in which helmets can be made more effectively to prevent concussions.
Ms. Vella also explained that an art component has recently been added to the STEM program. Two students, Danitza Leon and Lauren Schiffer, are researching how mathematics and physics are related to music. With a jump rope, dominoes, a toy slinky and water glasses, the girls are performing a duet to demonstrate how different types of waves are related to sounds and to illustrate the relationship between music, mathematics and physics.
“The students are extremely fortunate to have the opportunities provided by the STEM program,” Ms. Vella stated. “As we grow the program, many of our students have been extremely successful in the various competitions and have taken their interests to the high school.”
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