Elementary School Science Projects from Throughout the District

Morgan won honorable mention for her science project, "The Nose Knows", at the Brookhaven National Labs' Fair.

RCSD WINNERS ENTERED THEIR PROJECTS AT THE BROOKHAVEN LABS' SCIENCE FAIR
Morgan Stromski, a kindergarten student at Aquebogue Elementary School, received an Honorable Mention at BNL

(May 5, 2012) Morgan Stromski, who is in Sunita Rodriguez’s kindergarten class and won first place at Aquebogue Elementary School's science fair, was awarded an "Honorable Mention" at Brookhaven National Labs' Annual Science Fair on May 5th. (Only the first and second place winners in every grade level at local school science fairs are allowed to submit their entries at BNL.) There were over fourty-four districts represented and over eighty kindergarten projects in the competition at BNL.

Morgan's winning project, “The Nose Knows” examined whether or not a person could still determine what flavor jellybean he or she ate if their nose was plugged and therefore they were deprived of their sense of smell. Morgan discovered that a person can't really taste without his or her sense of smell.

Her mom, Keri Stromski, noted, "She enjoyed repeating the experiment over and over and over just to be sure."

Morgan’s “real world” application was priceless. She wrote, “I think this will help a lot of people. They can hold their noses when they have to eat food they don’t like, especially vegetables.”

Congratulations, Morgan!

Elementary Schools Host their Annual Science Fairs
(April 26, 2012 - Riverhead, NY) Each of the elementary schools hosted their annual science fairs. The first and second place winners in each of the schools qualify to compete in the Brookhaven National Labs' science fair, and the winners are: Pulaski, Aquebogue, Phillips, Roanoke, and Riley.

MORE SCIENCE NEWS FROM THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND PULASKI STREET SCHOOL

First Graders Set Up Their Discovery Tanks
(April 26, 2012) Students in first grade study animals in their natural habitat as part of their science curriculum. Riverhead is bordered by the Peconic River and the Great Peconic Bay on the south, and the Long Island Sound on the north. Our shorelines and waters are major resources and attractions, and it is important for our students to understand the marine environment so they can protect and enhance it.

Stacey Meyer, from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County, has helped set up Discovery Tanks in first grade classrooms throughout the district. >More

Pulaski Girls Win the Right to Compete at BNL
(April 25, 2012) Five girls submitted the winning entries at the Pulaski Street Science Fair. 

Sixth Grade: 
First Place: Kimberly Ligon - "Contaminated to Decontaminated"
Second Place: Emily Beers - "What Foods Make you Smart?"

Fifth Grade:
First Place: Britney Miller - "Yum or Yuck"
Second Place: Julie Divan - "Saving the Best for Last"
Third Place: Sarah Gustafson - "Wind Power"

The first and second place winners in each grade level will now compete at the Brookhaven National Lab's Annual Science Fair. Good luck, girls!  >More

RCSD Winners of the 2012 Earth Day Contest
(April 21, Riverhead, NY) The first annual Earth Day Every Day contest sponsored by Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center and Lowe’s Home Improvement was a huge success with nearly 500 students submitting entries. The contest was focused on Riverhead Elementary School students in grades 2, 3, and 4 submitting an environment improvement plan, or an idea on how to best clean up our local beaches and keep our waters clear and safe for all of its critters and creatures.Their plans were submitted through photos, in a video (limited to 3 minutes), a journal, or any other way they could dream of – with a winning plan selected from each participating grade level. >More

Key Club Shares "Going Green" with District 3rd Graders
(Feb. 24, 2012) As part of a statewide emphasis, NYS Key Clubs have faithfully mounted an annual effort in their communities to improve the environment. RHS Key Club members met with George Bartunek, the chairperson of Riverhead Town's Anti-litter Advisory Committee, to design a lesson that focuses on "reducing, reusing, and recycling" to present to the District's third graders. The "Going Green" instructors give their presentation after their classes end at 2:15PM.  >More

GOING GREEN AT RILEY!
(February 15, 2012) Lauren McDonald’s 2nd grade class is working on a school-wide recycling project. They are painting boxes green and putting them in every classroom in Riley Avenue. They are asking students, teachers and staff to throw excess paper in these boxes instead of in the trash. Her students will collect the paper and bundle it together to get ready for Mr. Brown and our custodians to transport it to the high school recycling bin. “We are doing this project to help reduce our carbon footprint and help save the polar bears,” states Ms. McDonald.  >More