Science Newsletter - Issue 10

North Bergen Science

Issue #10 October 2018

NORTH BERGEN SCIENCE ISSUE 10: 10-10-18 CONTENTS

Dr. Keshishian’s Message Welcome back, everyone. This year we are continuing to expand the opportunities in the sciences as well as the STEM Academy. I am proud to announce that we now have a STEM cohort in every grade level and that internships and independent research has begun for our cohort 1. Stay tuned for upcoming issues. ~Dr. Jared E. Keshishian, District Supervisor of Science

♦ Governor’s STEM Scholars ♦ Kelly Quijije takes third ♦ Fairleigh Dickinson GEE ♦ NASA CASIS

Governor STEM Scholars

♦ First Graduating Class

This year three North Bergen STEM Academy students were chosen to participate in the NJ Governor's Scholars Program (part of the Research and Development Council of New Jersey).

♦ Internships ♦ Sustainable Jersey for Schools Begins

They are Jonathan Blaya (grade 11), Ludwin Chavez (grade 11), and Mishael Hernandez (Grade 10). This year the state chose 80 students ranging from grade 10 – Ph.D and it is a great honor

The Science of today is the technology of tomorrow. – Edward Teller

that our academy had three students chosen.

The application process required the students to have a 3.5 GPA and show interest in the STEM field.

Produced and Edited by Dr. Jared E Keshishian

North Bergen Science

Issue #10 October 2018

Governor’s Scholar Continued…

Our scholars will participate in four Saturday conferences and complete a research project, along with being given a mentor and having the opportunity to develop their interest in STEM careers found in New Jersey.

Mishael Hernandez is a sophomore at North Bergen High School. He is interested in the field of forensic investigation. Mishael was part of the SMART program at Rutgers University and a member of the Environmental Club.

We at the North Bergen STEM Academy are thrilled for our three students who will be participating in the Governor’s STEM Scholar program. It is a great honor.

Ludwin Chavez is a junior at North Bergen High School. He would like to become part of the medical field as a doctor. Ludwin would like to use his skills to spread awareness about the prevention of different ailments.

For more information about the program follow the url http://www.govstemscholars.com/

Jonathan Blaya is a junior at North Bergen High School. He would like to pursue a degree in either mechanical or civil engineering. Jonathan’s background has made him passionate about giving back to other parts of the world through his career.

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North Bergen Science

Kelly Quijije takes third place at American Chemical Society Project SEED Congratulations junior Kelly Quijije, on third place at Seton Hall at the ACS’ Project SEED Poster Presentation on her summer’s work at Rutgers Newark where she did research on the effect of Mebendazole on MDCK cells! She is looking forward to continuing her research next summer in Project SEED 2 and participating in Hudson County’s Science Fair in March!

Thank you to Ms. Nesrin Abulaban for getting her on board at Project SEED!

Issue #10 October 2018

A New Saturday Program at Farleigh Dickinson University: Girls Exploring Engineering (GEE) This year we are continuing our partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University by once again obtaining seats in the Saturday programs: Technical Enrichment & Outreach Program( TEOP) & Math Enrichment Through application (META), both Saturday programs. Now we are participating in a new program for the 8th grade girls called Girls Exploring Engineering (GEE). This program is meant to support 8th grade girls because females are not going into the STEM fields as fast or as often as their male counterparts. We obtained 5 seats this year and look forward to having 5 more for the January class.

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Issue #10 October 2018

North Bergen Science

NASA CASIS

by Stephanie Stern-Protz The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) awards scientists in various fields who help support work for the International Space Station (ISS). One of many partners of NASA, CASIS works with some of the country’s preeminent researchers in physical science, technological sciences, remote sensing and life sciences.

North Bergen STEM Academy and North Bergen High School were invited to be the educational beneficiary of a grant offered by CASIS to the New Jersey Institute of Technology and its partner, New York University. The students will be introduced to fluid dynamics, and will be part of a four-year study in reading research, studying the flow of water in near-zero gravity, and learning what are some of the best ways to enter the fields of physics and chemical engineering.

Dr. Boris Khusid, a Professor at NJIT and leading physicist and chemical engineer, was a former NASA mentor to Mrs. Stern-Protz, and invited the STEM Academy to receive educational benefits under the CASIS study. Drs. Solter and Keshishian buoyed the application with a letter of support, and CASIS awarded Dr. Khusid’s team, and a team at NYU. On October 16, eight students, along with STEM’s Cohort III (Sophomores) will meet Dr. Khusid in person, take a tour of NJIT’s state-of-the-art Maker-Space, and enjoy lunch at the Student Center.

If successful, this group will apply for a grant and try to raise $8,000 to send a North Bergen experiment into sub-orbital space through the Purdue University Cub-Sat program. We will report more on this later as the program develops. In the meantime, good luck to our new NASA CASIS interns!

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North Bergen Science

Preparing for our first graduating class This year is a very special year as we prepare to graduate our first STEM cohort. The committee along with the high school administration is in discussions to ensure these incredible hardworking students stand out. We are looking into sashes as, well as a banner for graduation. Also, a private pinning ceremony will take place to honor our inaugural class. The first cohort also received a STEM Academy transcript and embosser stamp to ensure that the colleges of their choice understand the grueling curriculum these students endured, while still finding time to participate in sports, music, and extra curricular activities. Continue to follow as more information will be announced about our plans for this year.

Issue #10 October 2018

Internships for the Senior STEM Students One of our goals for our STEM Academy at North Bergen High School was to ensure the students found their passion. Through the outreach of our committee to local business and local government, we have gotten great responses from town hall and local business to allow our students to shadow or intern at the job of their choice. So far Tawill Fitness will be taking a student interested in physical therapy. Mr. Julio Moranco, our town commissioner for finance, is looking into taking two of our students interested in accounting. Finally Mr. Chris Pianese, the township administrator, has also reached out to other members in town hall hoping to fill the internship for us. I want to personally thank each individual willing to help our academy students and if you are interested in helping also, please reach out to Dr. Keshishian at jkeshishian3@northbergen.k12.nj.us.

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North Bergen Science

Issue #10 October 2018

North Bergen Schools Registers for Sustainable Jersey for Schools North Bergen High School is on the path to becoming sustainable certified. Through the Environmental Club, Key Club, Student Council, and the Wellness Council, we have the capability to either receive or bronze or silver award. This is a grueling process undertaken by the Green Team consisting of Mrs. Hojnowski, Ms. Checchio, Dr. Keshishian, and students from the Environmental Club. The planning and preparation stage is now complete and the obtaining of the documentation is the second stage before we apply for certification.

Hopefully before the year is out North Bergen High School will apply for bronze status and get it.

This is a result of the dedication of the staff, school clubs, and many improvements to the building made over the years, such as the solar panels on the schools. Hopefully we will be obtaining this very demanding certification.

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If you are a university, corporate, or scientific organization and would like to contact us about opportunities for the students, please feel free to get in touch with Dr. Keshishian (jkeshishian3@northbergen.k12.nj.us), Mrs. SternProtz (sstern@northbergen.k12.nj.us), or Shareen Shibli, Supervisor Mathematics (sshibli@northbergen.k12.nj.us)