Since the 1995 - 96 school year, Isaac E. Young Middle School has collaborated with the Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester to provide a unique opportunity for students to work with physicians as their mentors during a sixth month long research project. The students involved are eighth graders enrolled in what is traditionally a tenth grade biology course. While the district has offered this rigorous course to eighth graders since 1988, the research component allows students to investigate the scientific concepts they learn in class by working with their mentors in a medical specialty that relates to the state mandated Biology curriculum.
The program involves each student working one-on-one with a physician to follow an established format that includes an extensive survey of medical literature, interviews of both patients and health care professionals, epidemiologic research and statistical analysis through the use of computer technology. The projects culminate in the submission of a written document and a joint oral presentation by the mentor and mentee before an audience of school district and hospital personnel, parents and invited community members.
There are numerous evidences of the program's success: class averages on the Regents Biology exam have increased each year and are among the highest in the district; physician involvement has grown from 8 the first year to 29 physicians volunteering for the 1997 - 98 school year, including three members of the Medical Board and a Senior Vice President of the hospital; the project was awarded finalist status for the 1997 Golden Apple Award which recognizes outstanding educational programs in Westchester County; the project coordinators were invited presenters at the 1997 National Science Teachers Annual Conference; the Medical Center donated computer workstations to the school to facilitate students' work on their projects; the local college and medical center libraries provide formal orientation and access to their resources to facilitate students' research; because most of the families could not afford the cost of summer enrichment programs, the medical center established a scholarship fund and initiated a community outreach campaign requesting support from businesses and community organization to provide students with scholarships. As a result of the on-going fund raising, students have been able to attend the National Space camp in Huntsville, Alabama and the National Computer Camp in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Subsequent successes of the student participants at the high school as well as positive media and community publicity have contributed to increasing the number of students eager to participate in the program. The first year, 1995, 18 students were enrolled in the class, 22 in 1996 and 25 in 1997. And contrary to educational research that suggests adolescent girls hesitate to take rigorous science courses, the number of girls participating in this program has also increased each year - 7 in 1995, 14 in 1996 and 18 in 1997. This project was conceived and designed through the collaborative efforts of the Regents Biology teacher, Larry Beck, the Computer Technology teacher, Nona Greene Johnson and the Director of Public Affairs at Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester, Angela Harris, all of whom monitor and coordinate all aspects of the program.For further information, please contact either Mr. Larry Beck or Ms. Nona Greene Johnson by clicking on the e-mail link and including their name in the subject field.
WIEY is the school radio station. Funds for the purchase of professional radio equipment were provided by the PTA. Students serve on teams and fill jobs such as D.J.'s, Technical Engineers, Newscasters, Sportscasters or Program Directors. All applicants are required to complete a resumé , obtain three or more letters of reference from I.E.Y. staff members, and demonstrate some proficiency with skills relevant to their particular job interest.
The Communications Club is sponsored by Mr. Ted Fleming, Technology teacher. Mr. Mark Spreter, another Technology teacher, serves as the Electronics Advisor. The primary goals of the Club are to create a student-generated information network, increase school spirit, and offer a structured, real-life language-learning experience that is more oral than written.
Environmental changes have created severe crises. The losses of " renewable resources" shock the world. Haddock and cod are commercially extinct. Sustaining renewable resources is critical. Conservation isn' t enough.
Our aquaculture/hydroponic project, Victory Garden, cultivates in students the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to reverse global losses. Students recognize their impact on our ecosystem. They see science provide answers to global problems and new technologies emerge as science confronts environmental issues.
In 1995 we committed to a project of raising and selling 100 brook trout. The prototype developed provided opportunities to monitor water chemistry and maintain a balanced and controlled environment to sustain fish in a 3500 gallon tank. Science and technology teachers and students developed systems to address environmental needs. Filters, pumps, gauges, and plumbing systems were monitored and modified to maintain a viable environment. Problem solving was an everyday experience.
Ms. Lovelle Ruggiero is the sponsor of the fish farm. Dr. Michael Timmons, Cornell Agriculture/Biological Engineering Department, and head of the Cornell Aquaculture Project (CAP), is our mentor, adding to staff expertise. The acquaculture project was awarded a $10,000 Toyota Tapestry grant to upgrade and expand the project.. Expanding the project to raise other species of fish and adding hydroponic farming as a response to waste water management problems is at the center of Victory Garden.
For further information, please contact Ms. Lovelle Ruggiero by clicking on the e-mail link and including her name in the subject field.
The Computer Enrichment Club was formed in the fall of 1995. Funds for the club were provided through a generous gift from the Emanuel family. Members of the Computer Enrichment Club are engaged in exploring the broad range of educational technology available at Isaac E. Young. Through the Internet, students have visited sites on six continents and many of the fifty states. In conjunction with their regular assignments, they have researched topics ranging from different cultures to water pollution.
One of the most enjoyable activities is greating graphics using Kid Pix. The resulting artwork is then incorporated into a slideshow, complete with recorded audio, and displayed as a multimedia presentation. As a final project, the Club assisted in the construction of this web page. Mrs. Amelia E. Jones is the faculty sponsor.
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D.I.L.E. is a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Two-Way Enrichment program that has operated since the 1995-96 school year. Under the Two-Way Enrichment model, Spanish dominant students and English dominant students work cooperatively to learn each others' language. An important goal of the program is to increase the opportunity to learn a second language while maintaining first language proficiency in a challenging academic environment. The program uses an interdisciplinary grade cluster approach to offer all students the state mandated curriculum.
The content areas of science, math, and social studies as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) and Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) are used as vehicles to develop the desired second language skills.
Students participate in the D.I.L.E. program at the sixth, seventh and eight grade levels. Ms. Sonia Nunez, Ms. Ximena Rippley, Mr. Carlos Sanchez and Ms. Nancy Soliz are the bilingual staff participating in the program. Their English dominant counterparts are Ms. Sandra Morris, Ms. Kathy Gawloski, Mr. John Fullerton, Ms. Megan Reed, and Mr. Martin White. For further information, please contact Ms. Thelma R. Esteves, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Schools by clicking on the e-mail link and including her name in the subject field.