Science projects ranging from custom-designed roller coasters to habitat-sensitive buildings and environment-adapted "critters" were on display at a project showcase for Chicago high school students hosted by the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP) on May 24. Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro was on hand to greet and encourage the 175 students from seven high schools.
The students are participants in the Meaningful Science Consortium (MSC), of which SESP is the lead partner. MSC partners with nine Chicago public high schools in an effort to improve science instruction, increase student achievement in science and prepare students for college-level science. The three-year MSC science curriculum is project-based and uses the inquiry method as it teaches science through application to the real world.
During their visit to campus, the students presented their science projects during Northwestern's annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and then toured campus science laboratories and the new campus heating and cooling facilities. Students visited a variety of labs where researchers study subjects ranging from alternative fuels and electric cars to high-pressure materials.
President Schapiro spoke at the welcoming session, congratulating the students on their accomplishment of being selected to present out of approximately 6,000 students involved in MSC. "He helped students see the connection between the work they are doing on their projects and real-life considerations," commented research associate professor Steven McGee, the director of MSC. For example, Schapiro drew the connection between one group's project on wind energy and Northwestern's current deliberation over building a wind farm in Lake Michigan.
Student projects applied principles of physics, chemistry, biology and environmental science in real-world settings. For instance, as physics projects some of the students designed roller coasters, taking into consideration acceleration, gravity, kinetic energy and other forces. Other projects imagined animals perfectly adapted to a specific environment or alternative energy sources suited to a specific environment. Other environmental science projects responded to the challenge of designing a school in Florida on land where the gopher tortoise is endangered, taking into consideration the local habitat for plants and animals.
"Projects are an integral part of the MSC curricula. Students who successfully complete the projects learn the required science content. The MSC Project Showcase is an opportunity to celebrate and reward those who successfully completed the projects," says McGee.
The daylong annual event also provides the opportunity for students to visit a college campus. "This can motivate them to continue to work hard to do well in school by providing a concrete experience of college, something that often is an abstract goal, especially to younger high school students," adds research associate professor Linda Brazdil, who is lead manager for MSC.
Following are the Meaningful Science Showcase award winners, selected for their application of science content to the project as well as their creativity in meeting the challenge presented in the project or because this is the second year they have been selected to participate in the Project Showcase. Undergraduate and graduate students at Northwestern served as judges for each project category. In addition, visitors to the poster session cast votes to award People's Choice awards.
Area 19 - Ms. Akeshia Craven, Chief Area Officer
Austin Polytechnical Academy - Mr. Bill Gerstein, Principal
Two-Time Nominee: Tavon Sanders
Area 21 - Mr. Sean Stallings, Chief Area Officer
John Hancock High School, Ms. Pam Glynn, Principal
1st Place 9th Grade Florida School Project: Rafael Gonzalez, Marvin Hernandez, Betsabel Montero and Carolina Perez. Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Stites
1st Place 10th Grade Thrills and Chills Project: Gore Turisma by Abraham B. Castillo, Sonia Rodriguez and Nataly Sandoval. Teachers: Mr. Kenneth Brandt and Ms. Julie Sheridan
People's Choice Winner: The Curse of King Tut 10th Grade Roller Coaster Project by Monica Ramirez. Teachers: Mr. Kenneth Brandt and Ms. Julie Sheridan
Area 23 - Mr. John Thomas, Chief Area Officer
School of the Arts - Mr. Doug Maclin, Principal
1st Place 11th Grade Critter Project: Octo Fin by Tawanda Clark and Charmaine Simmons. Teacher: Mr. Valentin Torres
People's Choice Winner: Octo Fin 11th Grade Critter Project by Tawanda Clark and Charmaine Simmons. Teacher: Mr. Valentin Torres
Two-Time Nominee: Jordanna Scott
Gage Park High School - Ms. Anita Andrews, Principal
1st Place 9th Grade Alternative Energy Project: Wind Energy in Burlington, VT by Maria Perez and Lorena Valdez. Teacher: Ms. Kate Zahn
Richards Career Academy - Dr. O. Joyce Smith, Principal
1st Place 10th Grade Periodic Table Game: Periodic Jeopardy by Corin Brown, Adilene Garcia, Bianca Gutierrez and Alejandro Romero. Teacher: Ms. Gurpreet Juneja
Two-Time Nominees: Corin Brown, Bianca Gutierrez and Alejandro Romero
Area 26 - Mr. Rick Mills, Chief Area Officer
Farragut Career Academy - Ms. Theresa Plascensia, Principal
1st Place 10th Grade Let Us Entertain You Project: Mariela Alcantar, Daniel Hernandez, Nancy Mendoza and Uriel Ramirez. Teacher: Mr. Neil Reimer
Two-Time Nominees: Mariela Alcantar and Uriel Ramirez