NEW ROCHELLE, NY — On March 4, 2017 seven 12th graders in our Science Research program competed in the prestigious Regeneron Westchester/Putnam Science and Engineering Fair (WESEF). Our girls were among 570 students from 38 high schools whose work was judged and we are very proud of each of their original research projects. They are pictured below with faculty members Ms. Paulette D’Alessio, far left, and Ms. Hannah Gousse, far right.
We congratulate Theresa Cho for winning the Excellence in Medical Research Award presented by Westchester Academy of Medicine. This award was given to top medicine, health, biochemistry, cell biology, and microbiology research projects. Not only did she receive an award but Theresa also received $25 and a dinner with medical professionals. Her study (pictured below) was on “Effects of High Fasting Glucose and High Cholesterol Levels on White Matter Integrity in Schizophrenia.”
In Ursuline’s Science Research program, students are taught how to conduct electronic searches of literature; collect, organize, and analyze data; give classroom presentations of research; and eventually, under a scientist mentor, do original research. This original research must be presented in a formal research paper, meeting the format requirements of national science competitions. The student’s interest can be in engineering, physics, biology, medicine, health, chemistry or behavioral science/psychology.
This is a 3-year independent research program. It is a unique research opportunity for the student and requires a time commitment above and beyond the ordinary school schedule. Sophomores review research conducted by others and practice presenting an analysis of a specific article of interest. Juniors design individual experiments. Seniors conduct experiments and enter competitions. At graduation, each student has a virtual research portfolio documenting 3 years of work.
The Science Research program has a significant history at Ursuline. A number of students have continued their science studies in college or medical school. We are grateful to the scientist mentors who have guided our student researchers over the years.