Weston Science Scholars Jafree Uddin (left), grade
11, and Liesje Hodgson, grade 10, enjoyed the science projects they worked
on this summer under the leadership of Jack Isidor of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
(More Photos)
Concluding a five-week summer exploration of hands-on scientific investigation, ninth and 10th graders from Montclair High School gave high marks to the Weston Science Scholars Program, an initiative that exposed them to a variety of disciplines from astronomy to molecular biology and forensic medicine.
Selected on the basis of academic standing in science, mathematics and related fields, the young people participated in laboratory work headed by Montclair State faculty mentors in the seven disciplines of the sciences. In addition, they benefited from science-based guest lectures, and went on science and technology field trips related to specific areas of interest. The program, which began in the summer of 2000, is made possible by a generous grant from the Josh and Judy Weston Foundation.
Molly LeMire, a ninth grader who chose to spend her summer vacation studying the stars under the tutelage of Mary Lou West of Mathematical Science, says the experience helped clarify her own career goals.
"I have always leaned toward science," LeMire said. "After this summer, I know that's what I will pursue. I learned much more than I ever expected, like how to use a radio telescope for instance. I still need to narrow my interests, but the program set me on a direct path. And it was a lot of fun, too."
West reports LeMire was one of four students in her group, and the level of interest and interaction among the young scholars was outstanding.
"We focused on the variability of stars," West explained. "I gave each of them binoculars and told them to look for the Delta Cephei every night. This is a star that varies its brightness over a five-day period. I wanted them to judge its brightness and come back with reports. I was impressed by the data they collected."
Lynn English of Biology and Molecular Biology, who directs the Weston Science Scholars Program, reports that next year's curriculum will be extended to 11th graders who participated as 10th graders this summer in order to offer an opportunity to pursue further study. They also will be expected to mentor newcomers.
"The acceptance requirements in this program are rigid," English
said. "Applicants must submit an essay explaining why they want to
be part of the program and they undergo an interview before a faculty
panel. The young people who were accepted are all high achieving, well
focused and serious students interested in the possibility of careers
in science, mathematics or related fields. Some may change their minds
in the type of science they are truly interested in. In fact, because
of exposure to the multifaceted disciplines of science, this program affords
scholars the opportunity to decide, with pronounced certainty, the areas
they like most."
The program also offers a mathematics component related to specific research
undertaken. This summer, math mentor Eliza Leszcynksi assisted in developing
a challenging statistics curriculum necessary for the type of research
conducted at the University.
"Our mission is to lead the scholars through the process of discovery
so they may gain a new and deeper understanding of what it is to really
learn by doing research," she said. "The mentors encourage their
scholars to ask tough questions, connect challenging ideas and apply their
research findings to real-world situations, and then demonstrate why this
new knowledge is important."
Dede Portas, Montclair High School science supervisor, agrees, saying
that a hands-on collaborative experience is what the real world of science
is all about.
"I think realistic exposure is one of the benefits of the program,"
she said. "The students are confronted with all the excitement inherent
in scientific discovery. But they also are faced with the monotony of
experiments that demand time and patience. Those who decide to pursue
a career in science will do so with a pragmatic understanding of what
lies ahead."
Along with Professor West, Montclair State faculty members who participated
as mentors for the summer initiative include Duke Ophori and Matthew Gorring
of Earth and Environmental Studies; John Korky, Michael McCormick, Dirk
Vanderklein and Quinn Vega of Biology and Molecular Biology; John Isador
of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Martha Foley, post-doctorate assistant
to Carol Stone of Biology and Molecular Biology.
The Weston Science Scholars Program has been invited to the New Jersey
Science Teachers Convention, where some of this year's scholars will make
presentations demonstrating the scope and quality of work undertaken by
high school students. The convention will take place Oct. 9-10 at the
New Jersey Convention Center in Somerset.
"There is a strong interest in programs like this across the state,"
English said. "Ours may well be the prototype for similar partnerships
between universities and high school science programs."