Despite the pandemic, students in the Lynbrook High School Science Research Program have brought their talents to new heights this school year. After months of collecting and analyzing data, writing their research and practicing their presentations, four Lynbrook students participated in the 2021 virtual Long Island Science and Engineering Fair, hosted by Society for Science. Here, three of the students earned special awards and two of the three advanced to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair for their first place LISEF projects.
Senior Ryan Marrione was the recipient of the NASA Earth System Science Award for his research project, “An Analysis of Aerodynamics Through the Lift and Drag Coefficients of a Y-Axis Morphing Airfoil.” The award recognizes student advances in space and aeronautics to enhance knowledge, innovation, economic vitality and stewardship of Earth. Senior and Class of 2021 salutatorian Kathryn Postiglione also earned the NASA Earth System Science Award for her project, “Analyzing the Photometry of Star Cluster Messier 39: Creation of Color Magnitude Diagram, Age Calculation, and Distance Measurement.” In addition to the special recognition, her project earned first place in the Math AND Physics & Astronomy category at the fair which qualified her for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair.
Kathryn was not the only Lynbrook student to advance. Ashley Roth, Lynbrook High School’s Class of 2021 valedictorian, took home first place in the Earth and Environmental Sciences category for her research project, “The Effect of Aquatic Nitrate Concentrations on Anuran Species Abundance on Long Island.” Her impressive research also earned her the Environmental Protection Agency’s Earth System Science Award which recognizes student advancement in environmental science and engineering.
This year, 185 Long Island students were selected to participate at LISEF, one of the most competitive qualifiers for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair. Kathryn and Ashley were among only 20 first place LISEF winners to advance to ISEF, which will take place virtually this May. Regeneron ISEF finalists compete for nearly $5 million in awards, prizes and scholarships against other students around the world. This was the first year that Lynbrook had two students advance to ISEF in a single year.
“I am so happy that Ashley and Kathryn won first place awards in their categories,” said Science Research teacher Charles Vessalico. “They worked so hard on their projects and truly deserve this honor. I am also really proud of the Lynbrook High School Research Program as a whole. The competition at LISEF is fierce because Long Island has many of the best high school research programs in the world. Having two students win first place and become ISEF finalists through LISEF in the same year demonstrates that Lynbrook deserves its place amongst the best.”