Science Newsletter #13 - Fall 2019 - October

North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

NORTH BERGEN SCIENCE ISSUE #13: 10-31-19 _____________________ CONTENTS

Dr. Keshishian’s Message This year’s focus is on moving forward, reevaluating, and continuing the upward mobility of the Department as a whole.

Some amazing things have already been occuring, such as P.E.A.K. 7 & 8 becoming S.T.E.A.M. 7 & 8, an updated High School Media Center, and new technology has been ordered for the elementary schools. As always it takes a great team to do these amazing things and I want to thank the Committee, Mayor Sacco, Superintendent Dr. George Solter, our Director of Curriculum Mr. Allen Pascual, and the Board of Education for all of their support.

Welcome Cohort V! Class of 2023 Senior Peer Mentors Our newest STEM Academy Cohort is the largest class at the Academy to date. They have many backgrounds, come from all over the district and international schools. We are proud to have made it to year five and are already making plans to recruit Cohort VI. Since last year’s pilot to pair freshmen with peer mentors was a success, we decided to make it a tradition. Starting September 23rd, freshmen members of Cohort V will get to “learn the ropes” from Cohort II and Roberto Perez of Cohort III – to allow for band members to learn about being in the Academy and in the renowned North Bergen High School music program led by George Haviland.

Many students who enter STEM have other fantastic talents, and we encourage them to grow in multiple directions, so they are developed as young adults with a fuller perspective on holistic learning. (Continues on Page 2)

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Welcome Cohort V

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STEM Experiential Learning

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Summer here and abroad!

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Spotlight – Saint Peters University

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New Honors Research Class

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Mrs. Mercado Study Skills Seminar

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STEM and NBHS at Liberty Science Center

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Escape the Mystery Room ■ Team Building and Skills

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Fairleigh Dickinson Fall Kick-Off

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Media Center Update

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PEAK-STEAM

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STEM Open House and Breakfast

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Congrats to Jonathan Blaya – STEM Senior and National Merit Hispanic Scholar, Michelle Cazorla, Michael Said, Ludwin Chavez and Mariam Kamerji – Quest Bridge Finalists

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Congrats to Jennifer Salguero, Stevens Institute

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PSST - UNDER-WRAPS Incredible new STEM News coming this year!

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

WELCOME COHORT V!

Pictured with student members of the Academy’s Fifth Cohort at their official Lab Coat Ceremony in May are: (Bottom) Thomas and Dayna Sessa, NB STEM Academy Community Advocates, Mrs. Theresa Rabelo – Director of Student Personnel Services, Dr. Jared Keshishian – District Supervisor of Science and Tech Education, Mr. Richard Locricchio – Principal of North Bergen High School, Heather Carline – District Coordinator of Gifted and Talented. (Top) Ms. Shareen Shibli – Supervisor of Secondary Mathematics and Mrs. Stern Protz – Coordinator of Experiential Learning and STEM Specialist.

We are in our fifth year and celebrating with a new logo and new larger Cohort! Our Fifth Cohort of the STEM Academy include students from all over North Bergen and Guttenberg. We are proud to announce that this is the largest Cohort to date with 27 students in all.

“The program was designed for a Cohort size of about 20-25 students, but this class from the eighth grades proved to be outstanding academic and overall role models who all made the matrix cut-off,” stated Dr. Jared Keshishian – District Supervisor of Science and K-8 Computer Education.

This year the Academy will test a program with senior and junior peer mentors to help the freshmen work through their initial challenges. In addition, Mrs. Stern-Protz, with help from Dr. Keshishian and partner Science teachers, is adding new experiences to help build teamwork and creative problem solving. The students will benefit from new destinations and new university and professional programs that they apply toward their college and professional portfolios.

Dr. George Solter states, “We make it hard to get into the Academy. This Cohort made it difficult for us to not accept them to the Academy because they are a strong all-around class. We look forward to seeing what they will do, and how far they will go.”

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

SUMMER EXPERIENCES 2019 Travel, College and University, Professional

STEM Sophomore Zoubair Belfki with Dr. Keshishian

STEM Senior William G. with team members at Annapolis

Freshman Paulina Alzate (center front from HUMC) studied Bio-med at LVC

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

STEM Academy students Adreany S,. Ashley C., Aimee P., Laisha M., Kevin G., Michael M., Jonathan B. and Bryan G presenting their certificates with student pre-service teachers.

STEM Freshmen Aimee P. and Ashley C. present their project

The Saint Peter’s STEM Summer STEM Experience takes pre-service education and science majors at the university and challenges them to build a two-week program for students in 8th-12th grades for scientific research and exploration. We are grateful to Saint Peter’s for being our partner in giving our STEM Academy students a safe and academically enriching place to discover science, math, and research.

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

Teen institute participants Bryan G. Adreany S., Jeremy E., Tawana G., Michael S. and Vimbisai B. selfie up with teacher Alejandra Cespedes. Special thanks to to Mr. Belluardo and Mr. Biamonte of Hudson County!

STEM Academy senior Jianna YF reads to her future junior STEM leaders at LSC’s summer camp.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

STEM Junior Mishael H. with family from afar!

STEM senior William G. with family in Thailand, Spring 2019

SPORTS A STEM Academy student is a whole student. North Bergen High School Soccer Coach James Somick says that, “Students like Tatiana N., Brianna C. and Daniela P. are assets to the team, because we already know we’re working with scholar-athletes who will always give their best.”

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North Bergen Science

New Advanced Research Team!

Issue #13 Oct 2019

Mrs. M is in the House!

Seniors at STEM Academy take an Advanced Research Honors Class and a new teaching team is taking the reins of the curriculum. The team is made up of Dr. Krista Welz, whose dissertation was defended in 2019 on Library Media Specialists and the use of Twitter, and Stephanie Stern-Protz, whose work with NASA gained her a place on a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences of the US. The team is focused on building research from the ground up, and using methods that are essential to college skills and beyond.

“We are starting from ‘Square-one,’ and building a true love of research, reading and writing,” stated Dr. Welz. “I love research because it is a quest for knowledge,” added Mrs. Stern-Protz.

Both agree that their goal is to imbue that essential need to find and then innovate answers to challenges, so that the students pursue what is important to them.

There will be much more to report as the school year continues.

Stay tuned!

While seniors pursue advanced studies at STEM Academy, their freshmen ‘mentees’ are treated to a professional development session with Mrs. Renee Mercado, lead teacher at Franklin School in North Bergen.

Mrs. Mercado is an ABD (All-butDissertation) scholar and home-school communication specialist. Each year the Academy invites Mrs. M to train the freshman students about best practices in study skills and time management outside of the classroom.

Mrs. Stern-Protz (left) and Dr. Welz (center back) with the senior class of STEM Academy and advanced senior class students at the Media Center.

She makes sure that our STEMMERS know that there isn’t one singular way to study for everyone. Yet, she stresses a warning about not letting stress take over, and ways to avoid burnout as an accelerated student scholar. We appreciate having Mrs. Mercado- an important asset to us and North Bergen Schools!

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

A WHOLE Community STEM Academy and Astronomy Students Together at the Planetarium Students from Mrs. Abulaban’s Astronomy classes and STEM’s Cohort IV (Sophomores) explored our solar system and black holes at the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium at Liberty Science Center. Astronomy, Aeronautics and Aerospace are highly regarded topics in today’s race back to the moon and to Mars. Companies like Boeing, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic; along with hosts of companies that support them, will be looking for scientists, engineers, and all of the professionals that support them.

Scientific and government centers like NASA and Blue Origin need a diverse population of both college and vocational workers in order to run the entire organization. By showing what can be accomplished when we all work together, we teach our students to collaborate and to pursue their best selves. Thanks to Liberty Science Center, North Bergen’s Board of Education, and chaperones Mr. Miller, Ms. Daglawi and Ms. Young.

Getting ready for the show!

STEM and Astronomy students “hangin’” before flying into space.

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

STEM Academy and Astronomy Students Together at the Planetarium Continued…

One small step for Ms. Young and Mrs. Abulaban!

Mrs. Stern-Protz in front of “Our Hudson Home” with a life-size image of Dr. Dorothy M. Peteet, NASA Senior Scientist and Mrs. SP’s former mentor.

Ms. Diglawi, Mr. Miller, Ms. Young, and Mrs. Abulaban

STEM Cohort IV (Class of 2022)

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

North Bergen e-Sport Team News!

North Bergen Bruins eSports have become a dominating force in Hudson County.

Last Year, during the inception of the program, the Bruins won the battle over Hudson County in Overwatch and League of Legends. With the start of a new conference, the teams have increased and the competition has grown to include three more games. Currently North Bergen competes against; Union City, West New York, Weehawken, Rutherford, and every competition more teams appear.

The Bruins, have answered every challenge, and during the first competition the Bruins took first place in Overwatch, Fortnite, and in Rocket League. In a tense battle, the Bruins took second place in League of Legends and second and third in Super Smash Bros. On October 24th the Bruins nearly swept the entire competition only losing to West New York in League of Legends. The coaches, Dr. Keshishian, Mr. Enrico, and Mr. Estela, are extremely proud of the team’s dedication and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. On the Helix eSport Twitch channel, where the competition is broadcasted, there were over one hundred views, so yes people actually watch this. While it is a shift from traditional sports, onsite at the tournament was St. Peter’s University and The College of Saint Rose who was observing players and even began recruitment of some of our players at the collegiate level. A special thanks goes out to Helix eSports and the Board of Education, with our superintendent Dr. Solter and their support.

Standing with the Briun eSport Team are (l-r) David Enrico, Dr. Jared Keshishian, Dr. Solter and Alex Estrella

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

P.E.A.K. 7 & 8 become S.T.E.A.M. 7 & 8 In the words of Walt Disney, “We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious … and curosity keeps leading us down new paths.” The P.E.A.K. program coordinated by Ms. Heather Carline, along with help from Dr. Keshishian, moved P.E.A.K. into the 21st century. The previous model was that the seventh grade students came up the high school and sampled different classes and teachers to gain exposure in Math, Science, English and Art for 24 weeks. In order to keep up with the students’ interests and their emerging independence, we shifted to two 12 week immersive courses in the student’s chosen discipline to allow them choice, as well as give them the oppurtunity to truly determine if they love the subject matter or want to try something else. Now for the first time, the eighth grade also participates for the entire 24 weeks. The topics offered are: programing; stock market; chemistry; biology; environmental; scientific research; digital art; maker spaces; and literature. The courses are led by some of the most talented teachers in North Bergen and we look forward to this new shift.

STEM Freshmen speakers Amy Azogue Irigoyen, Caitlyn Fernandez, Nicholas Fernandez, Youseff El-Mansoury and volunteers Angie Rodriguez, Victoria Spignolio and Salsabeel Khalil at the event.

STEM Sophomore Bryan Gramajo delivered a wonderful speech that was heartfelt and inspiring.

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

STEM Cohort V Escapes the Mytery Rooms!

Our Freshman STEM Cohort used their intellect, math, history, music, writing, art, deduction, and communication skills in escaping three mystery rooms at the Palisade Mall in West Nyack this month.

In addition to all of the academic and “think-based” skills the students used, it was essential for them to listen to each other, follow the facilitation lead of their team captains (each a boy and girl in the group), and have the ability to work as a team in getting out on time. Each team had 50 minutes to get out of Hollywood, Treasure Island and Superheroes – the three themed rooms (among others) at the facility.

As a challenge to all of the students, we are happy to report that ALL THREE TEAMS made it out on time! In addition, our winning team was able to complete the bonus round. Thanks to the North Bergen Board of Ed and All-In-Adventures.

Winning team Treasure Island with Mr. Vazquez

Competitors from Hollywood with Mrs. Stern-Protz

Superheroes with Dr. Keshishian

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

FALL KICKS OFF AT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON UNIVERSITY

Our 2019 Autumn at Fairleigh Dickinson University has begun. The two programs our students are participating in are TEOP (Technology Engineering Outreach Program) and META (Mathematics Enrichment Through Application).

The students learn concepts in Engineering and Math at the college level, and get authentic lecture, lesson and practical experience to receive a graduating certificate upon completion of the program. We are grateful to the Fairleigh Dickinson STEM Professors and staff, the many corporate sponsors of the program, the Board of Education, and our dedicated students. All are committed to the end result – students more prepared for college and career in fields that need their skills.

Students show off their aero-rocketry with Mrs. Stern-Protz looking on.

Sophomores Kayla Fernandez and Jennifer Salguero at META

Sophomore Kelly Cho with FDU Professor going over flight plan

STEM Freshman Ashley Cangana, Victoria Spignolio Anny Antigua and Angie Rodriguez

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

NEW MEDIA CENTER LOOK The North Bergen High School Media Center, home to the STEM Academy Coordination Center, has been given a sharp new update, thanks to the generosity of Mayor Sacco, Dr. Solter, and the North Bergen Board of Education. Dr. Keshishian is managing a new initiative to update the Media Center along with the Elementary School Media Centers.

Dr. Krista Welz, Media Center Specialist and Librarian calls the feel more “Collegiate and professional. We wanted to have a work environment in the colors and modern look of a university office.”

Come visit!

Students work more collaboratively at new smaller “centers.”

Spaces dedicated to SAT, ACT and AP Exam practice

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

HERE COMES COHORT Six (VI)!

On September 28, 2019, Dr. Solter, Mr. Locricchio, Dr. Keshishian, Mrs. Rabelo, Ms. Shibli, Ms. Carline and Mrs. Stern-Protz – the STEM Academy Committee – presented STEM Academy to about 100 students and parents in the annual open house at North Bergen High School.

Students and parents were hosted to a wonderful breakfast, informational speeches, and were given time to ask questions about the Academy. Our student volunteers provided a welcome greeting, gave insight to the Academy from a Cohort member’s view, and led tours throughout the second and third floors where most Science, Engineering, Tech and Math classes happen.

Mrs. Rabelo, Ms. Carline, Mrs. Stern-Protz and Ms. Shibli also addressed parents and students in the application process, testing in, and expectations. In addition, North Bergen’s highly acclaimed sports, drama, art and music programs were an important part of the discussion and Q & A. Not the least important was a recap of the first graduating class, their ranks and college acceptances. All in all, a great event happened, and we are looking forward to a new Class of 2024 to be a great success.

Dr. Keshishian addresses visitors to STEM Open House and Information Session

Dr. Solter speaks to a full house on his vision of the Academy and the future of accelerated learning in North Bergen

Volunteers STEM Sophomores David Lopez, Jeremy Espinoza, Gabriel Rodriguez, Ariel Cepeda; STEM Freshmen Aimee Palacios, Allison Mendoza and Angelina Alcivar with Mrs. Stern-Protz in front of the new Bruin’s showcase happily await visitors to the STEM Open House and Information Breakfast Session.

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

Congratulations!

STEM Senior Jonathan Blaya

Congratulations to STEM Senior Jonathan Blaya for being recognized as a National Hispanic Merit Scholar by The College Board. Jonathan placed in the top 2. 5% of all Hispanic students who took the PSAT in 2018, and is among the top students at the Academy. Congrats!

STEM Seniors Michelle Cazorla, Michael Said and Ludwin Chavez, and Senior Mariam Kamerji

Congratulations to STEM seniors Michelle Cazorla, Ludwin Chavez and Michael Said, and senior Mariam Kamerji, on being named Quest Bridge Finalists in their National College Match Program. Being a finalist means a student has superb potential and stands as a role model to others. Congrats to all!

STEM Sophomore Jennifer Salguero

Congratulations to STEM Sophomore Jennifer Salguero for being named a Stevens Institute Art Harper participant in engineering and mathematics. Jennifer was awarded a prize last year because her bridge design at the Fairleigh Dickinson University TEOP (Technology, Engineering Outreach Program) withstood the most torque against it, and could hold the highest amount of weight. Good luck at Stevens!

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North Bergen Science

Issue #13 Oct 2019

WE APPRECIATE ALL OF OUR PARTNERS MENTIONED IN THIS FALL’S NEWSLETTER Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco Dr. George Solter, Jr. The North Bergen Board of Education Mr. Richard Locricchio, Principal of North Bergen High School All-In-Adventures Duke University Fairleigh Dickinson University The Helix of North Bergen Lebanon Valley College Liberty Science Center Lindsey Meter Teen Institute along with Mr. John Belluardo, Mr. Nick Biamonte Nancy Hovan North Bergen Soccer Team New Jersey Institute of Technology Saint Peter’s University The STEM Academy Committee Stevens Institute of Technology US Naval Academy William Paterson University If you are interested in partnering with or donating to the North Bergen Science Department or North Bergen STEM Academy, please contact: Dr. Jared Keshishian (jkeshishian3@northbergen.k12.nj.us) (201) 295-2835, or Stephanie Stern-Protz (sstern@northbergen.k12.nj.us) 201-295-2804.

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