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And Now a Word from Our Mentors: The Sophomore Research Project
Marissa
Noonan ’25
Every year the sophomore class works hard to complete a science research project. Based on the student's topic of choice they are assigned their mentor. Mrs. Cunico, Mrs. Forte, Mrs. Price, Dr. Lemke, and Dr. Thomas help students explore their interestsandguidethemthroughthisproject.
Mrs. Cunico and Mrs. Forte shed light on the purpose of the process and what being a mentor meanstothem.
What is the main purpose behind the sophomore researchproject?
Mrs. Cunico: I would say one of the big problems today is misinformation when it comes to topics such as these and the goal of the science department is to promote scientific literacy. We’re hoping to teach studentshowtodoresearchandhowtosupporttheir beliefsandopinions.

What is the most challenging thing about being a mentor?
Mrs.Cunico: Thebiggestchallengeisfindingthetime thatworksfortheteacherandforstudents,aswellas trying to teach them a task that is often a class in otherschools.
How would you compare this year’s process to last year's?
Mrs. Cunico: The process is getting better all the time. Every year it is tweaked to match the needs of thecurrentstudentsandsophomoreclass.
What is most important to you regarding the sophomoreprojectprocess?
Mrs. Forte: The most important part of a project like this is that it is the first introduction to analyzing scientific research, which is a skill that can be used throughoutthestudents’entirelives.
Whatisthebestthingaboutbeingamentor?
Mrs. Cunico: I am fascinated by the topics the students choose and I love when they realize they have learned something new. I love watching them becomeintriguedbyscience.
Mrs. Forte: The best thing is getting to know girls who haven’t been my students, as well as getting insightintothewaytheythink.
As a sophomore who just finished her project, I learned a lot about in-utero and fetal surgery– a topic I wouldn’t have thought to research. Sophomores will also share their hard work and knowledge on the topic of choice to the freshmanandjuniorsonMay24.
It is great to know that the mentors of this project enjoy watching the work we sophomores do.
A sampling of sophomore science research topics 2023
● Iron deficiency
● Serotonin Theory of Depression
● Screen Time Effects on Development of Young Children
● Impact of Pandemic on OCD
● False Memories
● Sanfilippo Syndrome