Brookhaven National Lab gives science-minded Suffolk students access to research materials

A select group of Suffolk County students recently entered a unique partnership that they hope will take their science research to the next level.

Thirty-two science-minded teens from seven school districts were granted access to Brookhaven National Laboratory's database of research materials through "Partners in Science," an annual program co-sponsored by the lab and Eastern Suffolk BOCES.

Participating students are from the Bay Shore, Center Moriches, Eastport-South Manor, Middle Country, Riverhead, South Country and Southampton districts.

"Having access to the scientific databases at Brookhaven National Laboratory is a great opportunity," said Gail Barraco, administrative coordinator of ESBOCES' School Library System. "Hearing why a physicist pursued a career in science also encourages pupils to think about their own career goals."

During a one-day orientation, students attended lectures by lab scientists and learned the most efficient methods for sifting through academic material, which includes many proprietary and subscription-based documents. The day's keynote speaker was physicist Peter Siddons.

After completing orientation, students were given access to the lab's library for the rest of the school year, which will aid them in producing a quality research paper, ESBOCES said. Research areas range from nuclear chemistry to high-temperature superconductors.

"Brookhaven National Laboratory makes the day an experience that the students will not soon forget," said Riverhead High School library media specialist Kimberly McGurk.

The "Partners in Science" program has attracted more than 800 students over the past 23 years, lab officials said.

MASTIC BEACH: Science of water

Fourth-grade students at William Floyd Elementary School recently learned about the science of water during a visit with William Floyd High School students who are researching the Carmans River.

The program was designed to show young students that what they learn in elementary school is related to what they will learn throughout their educational careers.

During the visit, children rotated among six workstations. At one, for example, the high school students demonstrated how liquid is formed from a chemical change between two gases.

"The younger students really looked up to the high school students as positive role models, and the excitement in the classroom for science was contagious," said ToniMarie Amato, a fourth-grade teacher.

RIVERHEAD: CPR training

Riverhead High School's physical education classes trained 1,391 students in a "hands-only" CPR method that will allow them to begin the lifesaving technique while waiting for an ambulance to arrive during emergencies.

The training taught teens how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest and provided an introduction to using automated external defibrillators. The event, held last month, was sponsored by the Riverhead Central Faculty Association, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the website RiverheadLOCAL.

"The more people are trained to help, the higher likelihood for survival," faculty association treasurer Greg Wallace said.

SOUTHOLD: Musical theme contest

A robotics team at Southold High School, Team R.I.C.E. (Team No. 870), is the winner of a musical-themed contest, and its song will be used at the 2015 Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition, to be held March 26-28 at Hofstra University.

Team members Ryan Burns and Alex Kandora composed the song and their team received a $1,000 check. Students were allowed to work individually, with mentors or with colleagues in their school's music department on compositions.

The winning entry was selected by the School-Business Partnerships of Long Island's Development Council. The contest was sponsored by WorkLife Resources Inc. of Greenlawn.