Union County Students Present Scientific Research at Governor’s School

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the State Dept. of Higher Education.

During an intensive summer academic program, 85 Governor’s School scholars explored why the Ancient Guangalans of Ecuador disappeared. They did research to see how garlic, cinnamon, or cloves can provide protection from the streptococcus bacteria, and they asked what happens to a plant when temperatures are higher and there is more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The Governor’s School in the Sciences scholars presented their findings at a conference at Drew University on August 3^rd.

Governor’s School scholars are high school students entering their senior year who were selected for the program from more than 300 applicants. Among the students who presented research projects at the Drew University campus were Gary Hoffman (Cranford), Danielle Karacsony (Scotch Plains), Kelsey Schroeder and Chelsea Taylor (Summit), and Alexandra Kapadia (Westfield). Students worked in small groups during the three-week program.

“The Governor’s School cultivates interest in the sciences for high-achieving students from diverse backgrounds. Governor’s School graduates have made important contributions to research that benefit New Jersey’s citizens and economy. We are very proud of the research the students presented last Friday at Drew,” said Rochelle Hendricks, New Jersey’s Secretary of Higher Education. Her office administers State funding for the Governor’s School.

Scholars lived on the Drew campus during the summer program. Emphasis was placed on solving complex issues that exist on local, state, national, and international levels. The scholars participated in college-level courses and labs. There were guest speakers, including the 2011 Nobel Prize winner Adam Riess, who is also an alumnus of the Governor’s School in the Sciences.  The scholars engaged in activities such as career day and a college fair, that helped them connect with professors, professionals, and peers throughout the state.

This year’s program was funded by the State of New Jersey, Roche Foundation, Zucchi Trust, Novartis, Independent College Fund of New Jersey, Bayer Healthcare, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Watson Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo Smith Kline, and contributions from alumni of the Governor’s School in the Sciences.