Protists On Parade at South Orange Middle School

In the market for a volvox necklace, a paramecium shoe, or a euglena t-shirt? These are just some of the innovative fashions created and modeled by 7th grade science students during the extremely popular Protist Pageant Show, now in its 12^th year.

Developed in 1997 by SOMS science teacher Anthony Cicenia as a creative way to study single-celled organisms, the show, which has become a much-loved part of 7th grade science, is now a grade-wide project. This year's event, which took place on January 4th, featured the work of Cicenia's students as well as those of Frank Guastella.

In addition to t-shirts, shoes, and necklaces, the runway show included hats, gloves, scarves, and a multi-colored and multi-textured variety of other wearable items that all resembled organisms from the Protist kingdom.

The student scientists/designers approached this project with much enthusiasm, clearly enjoying this wonderful opportunity to explore their creativity while demonstrating their knowledge of, and passion for, science.