Rocky Point Middle School sixth grade GATES students participated in the Brookhaven National Laboratory Open Space Stewardship Program Symposium on May 30. Rocky Point Middle School has been a part of this initiative with the GATES program for the past 17 years. Dr. Melvyn Morris, a manager of special programs in BNL’s Office of Educational Programs, introduced the program to the school in collaboration with science teacher Mrs. Audra Mammina, who has been the teacher mentor since its inception.
This year, 22 students – Blake Barth, Kristopher Citarella, Grayson Ernst, Sofia Fedurina, Lucas Finamore, Collin Fishman, Carter Ford, JP Harris, Salvatore Lasurdo, Gianna Malvetti, Jayden Marciano, Grace Moriarty, Jacob Mulhare, Connor Neligon, Kristopher Ocasio, Shane Piccolo, Meridith Schmidt, Enza Troise, Giulietta Troise, Jackson Wright, Mina Zapata and Jack Zipfel – met for 15 sessions, learning and conducting field investigations under the guidance of Dr. Amanda Horn, an educational programs administrator at BNL. The students worked with Dr. Horn to create the poster presentation which they presented at the symposium. Rocky Point’s students were the youngest presenters of the students representing the 16 schools and 38 projects showcased. Students presented their research to BNL staff, high school students and educators from the participating districts, and adult visitors to the symposium. The students also interacted with the other student researchers and scientists. They engaged in conversations encompassing science disciplines such as DNA barcoding, atmospheric studies and ecological sustainability.
“Rocky Point Middle School parents who attended the event were impressed by their children’s accomplishments and how well they were able to express themselves,” Rocky Point’s math, science and technology director, Jachan Watkis, said.
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Date Added: 5/31/2024