Through a Stony Brook University program, called WISE, junior and sophomore students are gaining hands-on science experiences aimed at engaging women in STEM-related fields.   

Currently, there are seven Shoreham-Wading River High School students enrolled in the program that meets for 10 after-school sessions, held on the Stony Brook University campus. During the fall and spring sessions, the students work with advanced undergraduate or graduate student mentors on a variety of STEM-related research projects. In the past, students have learned pipetting techniques related to nanomaterials and dissecting techniques on zebra fish and learned about neurotransmitters as they relate to their effect on the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, as well as learning computer programs such as AutoCAD for GIS mapping for research on oceanographic studies.  The students participate in an exploration of the Shinnecock Bay’s flora and fauna during a trip on one of the research marine vessels at the Southampton campus.     

Students are selected for the program based on their weighted GPA for their high school science classes. Students are mentored by Lori Racaniello, science teacher at SWRHS, and will continue each year in the program until their senior year in high school when they will participate in a capstone project at SBU.

“Through this program, students become a part of a community of women scientists and are prepared to pursue a range of careers in science, mathematics and engineering,” said Dr. Amy Meyer, Shoreham-Wading River School District director of STEM.