‘STEAM’ing toward science success

Science is in everything around us: the way the sun rises, the way our food cooks, cars move, iPhones work, birds chirp, and students learn. Hewlett High School’s science department is highly regarded for its rigorous Advanced Placement classes, and success in competitions.
Three students from Hewlett High were named semifinalists for the 2014-2015 Siemens Math, Science and Technology Competition on Oct. 16. Seven days later the same students took first place in their category at the third International Energy and Sustainability Conference at Farmingdale State College. Completing their project during the summer, juniors Ben Golbin and Levy Sominsky and senior Meghan Bialt-DeCelie were pleased with the results. Under the mentorship of Dr. Terrence Bissoondial, they developed their research project at the school and were able to complete it at Stony Brook University.
Their project determined how the semi-aquatic fern Ceratopteris richardii can be used as a model system to study the effect of heavy metal uptake on plants. Through their experiments they showed that zinc oxide nanoparticles can reduce cell division, chlorophyll production and the overall development of the plant. In the process they also identified a complete zinc transporter gene, which they called CrZIP1, and showed that if they knock down this gene, the plant is very sensitive to zinc oxide nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are widely used in many consumer products like cosmetics, textile and skin lotions.
After winning the grand prize in the Siemens team competition the past two years, the science research program was unsure of its ability to continue. “As a former research student, you understand the difficulty of developing a research project and bringing it to fruition,” Bissoondial said. “You need support from the faculty, the administration and parents, as well as determination and abilities. It was good to see everyone mobilizing together to help our students realized their potentials.”
The district is encouraging younger students to become interested in STEAM (Science Technology Art & Math). On Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m., Hewlett Elementary School hosted an event led by Science Department Chairman, Dr. Brian Terry to engage second- through fifth-graders through fun activities.