Long Island students will meet and demonstrate their scientific prowess at Schreiber in 2015 for the WAC Lighting Foundation Invitational Science Fair. The fair is an annual science competition that allows students from Long Island to showcase original research.
Thirteen schools, including Schreiber, form the Research Association, an organization dedicated to fostering knowledge and learning in high school students. The Research Association organizes science competitions for underclassman and juniors. The first ten high schools in the association were Great Neck North, Herricks, Roslyn, Great Neck South, Manhasset, Syosset, Jericho, South Side, Schreiber, and Wheatley. Recently, Commack High School, North Shore Hebrew Academy, and Locust Valley High School have also joined. Each year, the WAC fair hosts over 400 students at one of the 13 high schools.
“I think that the WAC Invitation Science Fair does an excellent job of encouraging students on Long Island to get a more in depth understanding of science and technology. The massive turnout at this year’s competition is, however, daunting because we will have to organize the competition as well as it has been done in the past. Above all, the experience of hosting will augment Schreiber’s reputation in the Long Island community,” said sophomore science research student and legend Andrew Gruber.
Students compete at the WAC Lighting Foundation Invitational Science Fair in eight different categories, based on their respective projects: Environmental Science, Prototype Engineering, Biochemistry, General Biology, Behavioral Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Computer Science. Doctors, professors, teachers, and experts in their respective fields judge students’ projects and presentations. These judges come from universities, hospitals, private practices, research facilities, and businesses throughout Long Island and New York City. Usually, over 120 judges arrive and judge the students’ projects
The WAC Lighting Company sponsors this fair to promote young scientists. WAC Lighting is a Port Washington based company that promotes eco-friendly engineering and materials to sell lighting and lighting accessories. The WAC Lighting Foundation provides monetary prizes for first, second, and third places in each academic category. The company also sponsors the Lighting Award and the Sustainability Award.
Planning and preparing for this fair will involve all research students and teachers at Schreiber. Sophomore, junior, and senior Science Research students will not only have to prepare their research projects, but they will also have to ensure that the fair runs smoothly. Schreiber Science Honors Society students and Science Olympiad members will deliver data sheets to the judging room and sell snacks and beverages to other students in the morning. Parents and community members will also have to volunteer as judges, especially parents involved in science fields. Science research students are excited for the opportunity to host the research fair.
Other science research students are intimidated by the amount of work that will go into planning the WAC science competition.
“Hosting the WAC science competition as seniors is going to be difficult. There’s a lot of planning and organization that has to be done,” said junior science research student Andrew Costenoble.
Students are very excited for the WAC fair and much planning and organization will be done.
“Next year we definitely want to offer the smoothest and most pleasant experience for our guests,” said junior Dylan Rothman. “We want to demonstrate to the researchers from our fellow school districts that we value their participation and contribution to this fair.”
Although science research teacher Ms. Marla Ezratty is concerned about problems regarding space, custodial coverage, security, and providing meals to each student, she’s confident in the ability of the Research Association to run the fair effortlessly.
“No matter how much we worry, it always goes smoothly,” said Ms. Ezratty. “If there’s a problem, we talk to each other.”