Huntington Competes in LI Science Congress

Huntington High School science research program students, Claire Parks, Cecilena Monge Moreira, Jordana Boxer, Rachel Huth, Mildred Hernandez, Erika Hernandez, and Brianna Purcell, recently participated in the Long Island Science Congress.

LISC is a prestigious regional science research competition that brings together talented student researchers from across Long Island to present their scientific research projects.

Held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, the competition enabled students with the opportunity to share months, and in some cases years of research with professional judges, field specialists, educators, and fellow student scientists. Participants presented projects in a variety of disciplines, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, and behavioral science.

Representing Huntington High School, science research students prepared poster presentations and prepared to speak and answer spontaneous questions about their topic in-depth. This event highlighted the exceptional capabilities of students in the science research program, emphasizing not only scientific knowledge, but also communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which they possess.

Projects reflected the creativity and the time students dedicated to develop innovative solutions to real-world issues. The young researchers have spent countless hours individually, or at university labs working under professors, designing experiments, collecting data, and refining their presentations and preparing to speak in rounds of adjudication at competition. In addition to gaining valuable presentation, research, and lab experience, students also had the opportunity to network with peers from other schools and learn about a variety of scientific topics and research approaches.

“The Long Island Science Congress has been such a great opportunity to study scientific ideas that I find interesting and being able to present my findings has allowed me to gain many valuable presentation and research skills while simultaneously learning about the scientific discoveries of my peers both in and outside of Huntington High Schools,” Ms. Boxer said.

Science Research teachers Matt Ligouri and Lori Kenny praised the students for their hard work and commitment throughout the research process. “I’m so proud of all our graduating seniors,” Liguori said. “The growth they have shown throughout the past four years is amazing. Congrats to all of them and their achievements at LISC”

Achievement Awards:

● Jordana Boxer: The Difference Between Pneumatic and Non-Pneumatic Tire Deformation Using Onshape and SimScale

● Brianna Purcell: The Effect of Scenedesmus Algae vs. Anabaena Algae on Algal Growth and Water Quality During Eutrophication

Honorable Mention:

● Claire Parks: The Effect of Reinforcement Learning Models on Optimizing Traffic Flow in Suffolk County

● Mildred Hernandez Veliz: The Impact of UV Radiation on Shampoo Effectiveness Against Dandruff in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

● Erika Hernandez Veliz: The Impact of UV Radiation on Shampoo Effectiveness Against Dandruff in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

● Cecilena Monge Moreira: The Impact of UV Radiation on Shampoo Effectiveness Against Dandruff in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

High Honors:

● Rachel Huth: The Design and Evaluation of a Carbon Capture System Utilizing Sodium Hydroxide for Ammonium Bicarbonate Fertilizer Synthesis