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Ninth-Graders Interact with Biologists in Antarctica

Upper School students had a unique webcast experience last week as part of their Honors Biology class. 
Ninth-graders had a unique experience last week as part of their Honors Biology class—a live webcast conversation with scientists working in Antarctica. The video-conference was part of “Project Converge,” a project of the National Science Foundation aimed at putting New Jersey and New York students in grades 6-9 in touch with two research scientists working in the West Antarctic Peninsula.  The scientists are Dr. Josh Cohut from Rutgers University and Dr. Matt Oliver from the University of Delaware, and their research focuses on penguin life, ocean life, climate change and convergence.

Students have been following the scientists’ work through a blog coordinated by Hugh Powell, science editor at the Cornell Labof Ornithology, and science photographer Chris Linder. Last week, Ranney’s budding biologists—along with students from two other local schools—had a chance to ask the scientists questions face to face, so to speak, from their station in Antarctica. Students were able to see through the video various parts of their station. The group talked about equipment difficulties, convergence zones, penguin activity and ocean pollution.
 
“It was awesome to talk live to the scientist in Antarctica; I learned so much,” said ninth-grader Kenny Mooore.
 
Added ninth-grader Allison Sobieski, “I loved having the opportunity to see where the scientists were and have questions answered about the study.”
 
Update: The students developed their own research proposals and completed six projects as part of their Project Converge experience, six of which were presented at the Liberty Science Center Symposium in April 2015. These projects included:
 
  • Effect of Krill Population Density on the Amount of Adelie Penguin Births - Presenters - Rylan Foy, Max Bonevento and Jack Wingertzahn
  • How Sea Ice Affects the Foraging of Adelie Penguins - Rachel Chalnick and Anisha Gupta
  • ​How Does Temperature Affect Krill Population - Nicole Goldwert, Ryan Lubin and Laura Lehrfeld
 
 
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Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
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