Warwick Valley High School’s Science Research Program is a three-year program that gives students the invaluable opportunity to participate in the scientific research community by engaging in authentic research of their own design. This unique experience is recognized by the New York State Board of Regents and the University of Albany as part of the University in the High School Program.
Led by teacher and advisor Ms. Kristin Touw, students begin the Science Research Program as sophomores and their projects continue through their junior and senior years. The program is open to all Warwick High School students who have an interest in the scientific process and conducting their own research.
“The program is very self-directed,” said Touw, who is also an Adjunct at SUNY Albany. “Students choose their topics with a little guidance from me, and their first year begins with a ton of research into general articles and what are called “peer reviewed” articles. These are high-level, academic pieces that have been published in widely accepted professional journals of science and medicine.”
By spring of their sophomore year, students are already expected to be establishing contact with a professional in their field for mentorship. Mentors can be long distance, but Touw finds that the further afield the mentor, the more challenging it is to design hands-on research. Along with a mentor’s expert guidance, their resources and space are also a great benefit to Science Research students.
After sophomore year, the project continues into the summer between sophomore and junior years. That is followed by another full year as a junior, a second summer between junior and senior year, and finally the senior year research, presentation, and possible publication.
In addition to advanced research skills, the students who take part in the Science Research Program develop life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, communication, time management, and public speaking. This year, three seniors – Cara Peddle, Aislinn Mohyla, and Payton Bethmann – are reaching the end of their successful research projects.
Health Implications of BPA
Cara Peddle’s passion for environmental studies – particularly environmental and climate justice – led her to her topic, the environmental impacts and health implications of BPA, a chemical used in creating plastics and resins.
“I wanted to look at BPA levels – which can be controlled by government standards – and the impacts those levels have on people in either lower income communities or on women,” said Cara. “So, I’ve been studying the impacts of BPA on the female reproductive system.”
Cara has specifically focused on polycystic ovary syndrome, a female reproductive disease. She has been working with two doctors from NYU – Dr. Frederick Naphthalene and Dr. Alan Auslin. She is currently working on getting her paper published in a scientific journal.
Placing Eastern Oysters in Cold Storage
Aislinn Mohyla reached out to a family friend, a shellfish biologist, who put her in touch with a biologist from Rutgers University. Her project looks at the effects of placing eastern oysters in cold storage during the winter months in order to provide them with a stable growth environment.
“When they’re grown on oyster farms, like in Delaware Bay where my research took place, oysters are exposed to harsh temperature fluctuations and freezing,” she said. “The stable environment of the cooler is shown to prevent this from happening.”
Aislinn traveled to Cape May, NJ four times between December 2019 and October 2020 to collect her samples. She has been working with Dr. David Bushek from Rutgers University and Mr. Mitchell Tarnowski, a shellfish biologist who works for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Aislinn plans to study at the University of South Florida in the fall.
Nutrition Education
Payton Bethmann chose to do her project on nutrition education. Payton, who has been vegan for five years and vegetarian since the age of four, has been working to determine the effects of educating high school students on proper nutrition. Her focus has been on explaining that what you eat can have an impact on issues that are likely to affect people during their teen years – acne, mood, concentration, even depression and anxiety.
“I’m also hypothesizing that if you educate teens on the long-term health benefits of eating a more whole foods, plant-based diet – lower incidence of heart disease, certain cancers, etc. – they will be more willing to eat healthier,” said Payton.
Payton has been working with two mentors, Dr. Daniel Lapidus, who is in emergency medicine, and Dr. Rebecca Jaspan, a dietitian.
This year’s WVHS Science Research Project seniors, pictured pre-quarantine (from left) are: Payton Bethmann, Cara Peddle, & Aislinn Mohyla.
