D300 Symposium Displays Students' Science Research

The students of this summer’s STEM Research in Science class displayed the results from their research conducted at the Schweitzer Woods Forest Preserve at a symposium at Jacobs High School on July 25.

“I like STEM a lot because it actually lets you go and do your projects outside while in regular school you just do labs,” student Caitlin O’Callaaghan said. “There is only so much you can do in a room and outside you have endless possibilities.”

The symposium was held at H.D. Jacobs High School, however the students attend schools across District 300. This is the first year the class was offered in the district.

The class had eight students and met for three weeks. In that time, students worked to complete their projects while building relationships with their classmates.

“I really like STEM,” student Shelley Seong said. “It was a small class size so we all became really good friends. I felt like I built a lot of good relationships with this class.”

Seong, O’Callaaghan, and another student Pam Sanan worked as a group, and focused their research on soil. They explored the area and made observations along the way.

The group wanted to figure out why in some areas land was dry and dead, while in others areas it was green and flourishing.  The entitled their project “Soil Characteristics and Plant Life of the Wetlands.”

“It was nice how we had a choice of an experiment rather than (being) forced to do it,” Sanan said. “I just think that made it even more interesting.”

Students Evan Lamblin and Dale Snow completed a group project called “Water Analysis from Jelkes Creek.” Lamblin also completed an individual project about “The Effects of Sun Screen on Sweet Potato Vines.”

“I just kind of liked the creek because it was a cooler environment,” Lamblin said. “It just looked interesting.”

While Lamblin and Snow admit the class is a lot of work, they said they were glad to have the experience.

“It is a great opportunity for kids to expand their mind because rather than just your basic science course where your teacher has to follow their curriculum and do what the district wants them to do, you have the freedom of your own mind to do this program,” Snow said.

Sanan said she was happy her mom signed her up for the class as well.

“I really think the STEM class is better than sitting inside and watching TV all day,” she said. “I think if more people got to know about it then more people would join. I know from my experience that a lot of people do like science, and the fact that you get to go outside and experiment what you like is an added bonus.”