Rye High School has never had a science research program before and Maria Recchia, the science department chairperson, could not be more pleased that the school is in the processes of forming one.
“I would not hesitate to say that any high school science department would embrace a research program,” Recchia said. The commitment to start one, however, has to come from all the stakeholders. “It has to come from the administration. It has to come from the community. It has to come from the teacher. We’re at a point we have support from everywhere.”
Even with support, there have to be finances in place to fund any effective research program. After years of tightening purse strings, the school district got an additional $1 million in state aid last Spring and the school board and district administration sat down to figure out how to divvy up the funds. Board of Education member Tom Corbia suggested implementing a science research program, something that quickly garnered support. The board decided to allocate $20,000 for necessary professional development and to get the process started. Eventually, the course could cost about $165,000 once it is at full implementation.
With the support of the board and high school administration-and the money to back it up-the district is moving forward. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Port Chester High School will be utilizing the University at Albany’s Science Research in the High School program, which is modeled after a highly successful course developed at Byram Hills High School in Armonk. Many schools in Westchester use the program, including Blind Brook High School which had two seniors named semifinalists in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search competition at the beginning of the month.
Since SUNY Albany’s setup starts with sophomores and continues until graduation, Recchia plans to introduce the current freshman class to the concept in order to prep them for next year. The science teacher plans to start speaking with the freshmen next week and encourage them to join the afterschool club that will be starting in February. The club, which will meet twice a month,
will hopefully explain more about the program and the commitments students will have to make if they want to sign up next year.
“We want to generate some interest,” Recchia said. “We’ll be introducing them to what science research is.”
That last part is very important to Recchia as science research is actually quite broad and encompasses more than what students might assume.
“People think, ‘Oh, we’re going to look at genes’ and the
typical types of subject matter, but the focus is on a lot more than that,” the science department chair said. Students could choose to work on engineering, biomedicine or one of the other intersecting disciplines. “There’s a lot of technology involved in science, so there’s an overlap,” she added.
After Recchia gets the freshmen up to date, her next target is parents, as they also play a role. She plans to arrange information sessions for them later this school year.
The program will be open to any 10th grade student willing to do the necessary work. “If we have one class of research to start of five, it’s fine. We can accommodate,” Recchia said. Honors students and English Language Learners are both encouraged, she added.
Despite the hard work needed, there are many advantages for students who take part. As juniors and seniors, participants will have the opportunity to apply for college credit through SUNY Albany.
There are also less quantifiable benefits. Any students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare or a science field will likely end up doing research at some point, Recchia said, and “this is wonderful preparation for any program that might involve research.”
At this point, the high school teacher is still doing her own preparation for the authentic science research program and is looking forward to the next school year when it can really get going.
“We’re positioned to get started and we’re excited to get started,” Recchia said. “I’m a science person-of course I’m excited.”
