Young Scientists Take A Crack At Solving The World's Problems

A group of Clarkstown High School North students showed off their scientific research skills Monday during the school's second annual Science Symposium.

Nine seniors presented their research projects to parents, faculty and students at the high school in New City.  The students worked on these projects for three years and this event represented the cumulation of their hard work. 

North science teacher Matthew Schuchman said the research projects go well beyond the normal ciriculum at the high school, with the students involved in the program performing college-level research.

Schuchman said many students involved with the research program go on to take part in scientific research in college.

"They start out reading journals, then contact people in the real world," said Schuchman. "The students are able to take it as far as they can. The level of work they are doing is college level graduate work in some cases."

Schuchman said the students in the program are guided by mentors. "They are doing real-world research," Schuchman said.

North senior Ross Weisman said there is no other program in the school like the research program. However, it requires commitment, he said, noting that sessions for the program start at 6 a.m.

"Its nice to see our efforts rewarded," said Weisman as noted the many members of the community and school officials who attended Monday night's presentations.

Schuchman explained that the students are the ones who decided which research to work on. "They address what they think is important," he said.

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