Jack Abrams STEM Students Capture Water Quality Challenge
Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School students have captured first prize in the elementary grade division of the Long Island STEM Hub’s Water Quality Challenge. It’s an impressive achievement that didn’t come easy or without hard work.
Sixth grade Jack Abrams STEM students began researching local water quality early last fall to kick-off their participation in the LI STEM Hub initiative that centers on a matter of vital importance to Nassau and Suffolk counties.
“It wasn’t long before the two sixth grade classes had narrowed in on the topic of saltwater intrusion,” said Donna Moro, the Huntington School District’s STEM coach, who worked with the youngsters and their classroom teachers. “Students researched the structure of our groundwater and how much water is used on Long Island. Then the problem solving began. They brainstormed ways we could reduce the amount to water being pumped out of our groundwater supply.”
A smaller group of sixth graders acted as grade level representatives and worked hard to prepare a written report and presentation on their findings. That group included Ava Brosnan, Joeniell Feliciano-Lopez, Ethan Franciscovich, Carolina Moreira-Ibarra, George Morris, Lily O’Heir, Valerie Rogel and Osiris Shepherd.
Salt water instruction into aquifers and wells has long been a concern on Long Island and in similar seaside communities around the country and the world. It’s been a known problem for hundreds of years and requires ongoing diligence to combat its effects.
The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School sixth graders presented their solution to the problem to a panel of judges late last month. Hundreds of students from across Nassau and Suffolk participated in this year’s challenge.
Late last month, the student representatives presented their solution to a panel of judges, who were impressed. “We would like to congratulate the entire sixth grade at Jack Abrams and the small group representatives for their hard work and dedication,” Principal Rae Montesano said. “It was a job well done.”
“The Long Island STEM Hub, one of ten forming within the Empire State STEM Learning Network, is focused on preparing students for the Long Island workforce through enhanced STEM experiences for students and teachers,” according to the organization’s website. “Academic relevance serves as a major theme by making it easy for businesses to engage with school and university systems, and integrating non-academic settings such as museums, research labs, and not-for-profit programs. It is envisioned that the Hub will promote workforce development to support the high tech economic growth and vitality of the region. The Hub serves as a collaborative operation, providing a one-stop source for businesses, school districts, students, parents, teachers, universities, informal education and worker retraining operations to address STEM workforce needs in the region.”