JUNE 2023
Science & Design Technology Edition
Dear Harrison Families,
The Science and Design Technology edition of Highlights, the District newsletter, showcases a year of exceptional student accomplishments, and we are so proud and excited to share them with you.
High School Senior Ariella Blackman was named a Regeneron finalist, one of only 40 in the country, and a first for a Harrison student. Lauren Davidson and Alissa Remeza competed among the top student scientists in the world at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, another impressive achievement. Many Science Research students competed at the highest level of local and regional competitions throughout the year.
Students presented at science fairs at our elementary schools and Middle School. The year culminated at the Harrison High School Science Symposium, where 76 students enrolled in the Science Research Program exhibited original research. The research is student chosen, guided by a practicing scientist mentor, and driven by student intellect and passion for improving the world.
Our students' accomplishments are significant and reflect their intellectual commitment, brilliantly supported by our dedicated faculty. Please enjoy and join me in congratulating all they accomplished.
Sincerely,
Superintendent of Schools
Harrison Students Earn Top Awards at Competitions
Senior Ariella Blackman Named Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist; Among Top 40 Student Scientists in Country
Senior Ariella Blackman was named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Finalist, one of only 40 seniors in the country and the first time a Harrison High School student has advanced to the finalist round. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is the nation’s oldest, most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. As a Regeneron finalist, Ariella joins the ranks of 13 Nobel prize winners, 22 MacArthur Foundation Fellows and many other distinguished alumni of the Science Talent Search. View Ariella’s Society for Science Page. Watch this video (Scripps Video) featuring Ariella.
HHS Students Named Regeneron Scholars
Ariella Blackman and Lauren Davidson placed in the top 300 of the Regeneron Science Talent Search and were selected from nearly 2,000 students from across the country. As scholars in the 81st Regeneron Science Talent Search, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and mathematics competition for high school seniors, they were selected based on a comprehensive vetting process by a board of scientists based on an original scientific paper and responses to an extensive application. Read More
Alissa Remeza, Lauren Davidson Compete at International Science and Engineering Fair
Lauren Davidson and Alissa Remeza, competed in the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Regeneron ISEF is considered the "Olympics of Science Fairs" and includes student scientists from all over the world. To qualify, Lauren and Alissa finished in the top 20 out of more than 525 projects at the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. At ISEF Alissa received the special Central Intelligence Agency Award, presented to encourage student interest in the development of STEAM skills and growth as the nation’s future technical leaders. View their virtual project boards from the competition:
Alissa: Determining DUNE Convolutional Neural Network Neutrino Identification Biases
HHS Students Perform at Top of Local & Regional Science and Engineering Fairs
Seven Students Compete at New York State Science and Engineering Fair
Seven HHS students were selected for the final round of New York State Science and Engineering Fair (NYSSEF), the state level science project competition for students in 9th through 12th grades. The following students placed in their categories: 2nd Place: Ariella Blackman (Plant Sciences) and Alissa Remeza (Physics); 3rd Place: Mako Suzuki (Biomedical and Health Sciences); Honorable Mention: Julia Carrea (Biomedical and Health Sciences), Zaynab Faisal (Animal Sciences); Alexandra Wong (Cellular & Molecular Biology).
Lauren Scnhapp Takes 1st Place at Upstate Junior Science & Humanities Symposium
Lauren Schnapp took 1st place in the Upstate Junior Science & Humanities Symposium Poster Competition for her research entitled, Strengthening the Idea of Drosophila melanogaster as a Model Organism for Narcolepsy. Ariella Blackman and Lauren Davidson presented at the Symposium, having earned the privilege by placing 1st in the Regional JSHS competition.
HHS Team Makes Impressive Showing at Westchester Science & Engineering Fair
The Regeneron Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF) encourages students to participate in hands on science by providing a forum for showcasing the outstanding research of high school students in Westchester & Putnam counties of New York State and sponsoring the top students from the fair to advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair. Harrison High School had a very successful year! View Award Winners
HHS Students Earn Multiple Awards at Regional Competition
Harrison Science Research students earned multiple awards at the Westchester Junior Science & Humanities Symposium. The symposium is an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors to present original research in science, technology, engineering or mathematics as they pursue a chance to compete at the regional, state and national level. The following Harrison High School Students earned awards: Ariella Blackman - 1st Place (Plant / Earth & Environmental Sciences), Lauren Davidson - 1st Place (Medicine & Health), Lauren Schnapp - 3rd Place (Medicine & Health), Zaynab Faisal - 5th Place (Animal Science). Ariella Blackman and Lauren Davidson, and Lauren Schnapp earned the opportunity to compete in the Upstate Competition.
First Year Researchers Finish Strong at Somers Science Fair
First year Science Research students finished strong at the Somers Science Fair, the first opportunity for students to prepare and present their proposed topic of research in a formal, competitive environment. The following HHS students placed in their respective categories: 1st - Parker Yates: Behavior; 2nd - Reese Potash: Behavior; Emma Jonisch: Bioinformatics; Alec Udell: Chemistry; Lucia Lammers: Environmental Science; Massimo Reali: Medicine and Health; Stella Perini: Medicine and Health; Sam Potkin: Physics; 3rd - Isabel Cross: Medicine and Health; Taylor Hackett: Behavior; Ryo Ide: Computer Science; Siobhan Rice: Environmental Science; Sophia Bondikov: Medicine and Health; Adriana Marraccini: Microbiology.
Science Research Scholar Dani Topper Presents at Duke/UNC Symposium
Dani Topper was invited by her mentors, Dr. Ben Bahr and Dr. Silvia Smith, to present her Alzheimer's Disease research at the SLAM-DUNC conference in North Carolina. Her study used bioinformatics to investigate whether linkages existed among inhibitory molecules, cathepsin enzymes, and Aβ proteins in Alzheimer’s Disease.
HHS Students Accepted to White Plains Hospital Pre-Med Program
Bryan DeWolfe and Eduardo Almeida were selected to participate in the White Plains Hospital Clinical Tutorial Program. This competitive program introduces high school students interested in the medical field to several areas of clinical medicine. Students work directly with medical professionals, attend lectures and clinical experiences to develop an understanding of anatomy and physiology of various organ systems, learn about the pathology of common disease entities and various advances in diagnostics and treatments.
HHS Students Present Original Research at 21st Annual Science & Technology Symposium
Seventy-six Science Research Scholars and students from Design Technology classes presented their work at the 21st Annual Harrison High School Science and Technology Symposium. The Symposium is an opportunity to honor and celebrate the work of students and provide an opportunity for them to share their experiences and research. Parents and community members filled the Student Union and spoke with Science Research students about their findings, and Design Technology students about the process used to develop their projects.
HHS SCIENCE & Design Technology SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
HHS Science & Design Technology Video
High School Students Make Physics Fun for 4th Graders
IB Physics students welcomed 4th grade students from Parsons, Purchase, Preston, and Harrison Avenue Elementary Schools to Harrison High School for the 17th annual the Physics Extravaganza. Seniors in IB Physics introduced abstract concepts in an engaging, concrete way using activities conceived, designed, and built by the IB Physics students. The Extravaganza offers elementary students an opportunity for hands-on learning experiences and introduces them to physics in a fun, engaging environment.
High School Astronomy Club Guides Travels into Space and Beyond for 1st Grade Students
The HHS Astronomy Club hosted planetarium shows for the Harrison community and developed two custom shows for students. The club members designed shows that explored the history of space travel, various major NASA missions, and journeyed through the solar system. Club members also designed a special interactive show, aligned with the 1st grade science curriculum and learning standards, for students from our four elementary schools. Students used their classroom learning to discuss seasons we experience on Earth, pathways of the Sun, and phases of the Moon.
LMK Science Olympiad Team Places 5th in Regional Competition
The LMK Middle School Science Olympiad team earned a 5th place at the Lower Hudson Valley Science Olympiad and advanced to the New York State competition, where they finished in the top 20 schools. Science Olympiad is an opportunity for students to challenge themselves in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through various levels of team-based, collaborative competitions. View complete list of award winners
LMK Science Fair Showcases Student Research & Creative Solutions
Fifty students presented research at the Annual LMK Science & Engineering Fair. Students identified a science or engineering related project and followed the Scientific Method & The Engineering Design Process to independently conduct research, analyze data, and design a presentation board that summarized their findings. Students completed their work outside of the school day, thrived in the process and creative problem solving, and enjoyed sharing their research with all who attended the Fair. View LMK Science Fair Program
5th Grade Science Fairs Feature Innovative Thinking
Fifth grade students at Preston, Purchase, Parsons, and Harrison Avenue Elementary Schools participated in the annual 5th Grade Science Fair. Prior to the Fair, students learned about the scientific method, then selected a topic of interest to investigate. Students designed presentation boards of their findings and shared them with attendees at the Fair.
Summer Learning Opportunities
The District is proud to offer a variety of summer enrichment programs. For more information on a particular program refer to the 2023 K-12 Summer Learning Information.
There is availability in the following Science and Technology Secondary Courses:
Scientific Illustrations (entering grades 7-12) Register
Engineering (entering grades 8-12) Register
Robotics (entering grades 9-12) Register