COPAKE — Area residents had the unique privilege of watching rising scientists bring their bright ideas into being last week as the Roeliff Jansen Community Library in Copake hosted two presentations from Taconic Hills High School’s Science Research program at 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 21.
As told by teacher Linda Hopkins, the three-year intensive Taconic Hills High School Science Research program is affiliated with the University at Albany and guides students “through the scientific process with the goal being in-depth authentic scientific research.”
In their first year of the course, Hopkins said the students immerse themselves in the scientific literature associated with their chosen topic and gain an in-depth understanding of what makes a sound experimental design. They also reach out to experts in their field to discuss the topic and start to form ideas for their experiments.
With guidance from their advisors and course instructors, students develop detailed research plans in their second year of the course before presenting the plans to the Science Review Committee for approval. After conducting their experiment and collecting data during the spring and summer, students spend the third and final year of the course analyzing their data, writing up their research papers and sharing their results.
As the culmination of her research work with Dr. Claudia Knab-Vispo from the Hawthorne Valley Farmscape Ecology Program, Taconic Hills senior Ellie Yang shared her findings on the differences between duckweed grown in a laboratory setting and duckweed growing in the wild.
A fellow Taconic Hills senior, Imogen Drake presented her findings on the impact of traumatic brain injury on the development of anxiety.
— Kaitlin Lyle
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
