Commack's Science League Takes Top Scores at National Competition

All three grades at Mandracchia Sawmill Intermediate School in Commack took first place in the National Science League competitions this year.  

The National Science League is offered as a school wide enrichment club, and offers students a hands-on, guided inquiry approach. In the club, students learn experimentation, observation, measurement and reasoning from evidence. The club aims to provide an opportunity for the students to further explore science and develop science literacy.

Grade three students were the highest scoring school out of 50 nationwide, grade four scored higher than 82 schools, and grade five, higher than 112 other schools.   The students met weekly to participate in scientific discovery activities, and the final meet is a highly standardized process. Students in grades three and four work independently, using only paper and pencil to answer 35 multiple choice questions in 35 minutes.  Grade five must answer 40 questions within the same time frame. The top 10 scores for the meet on each grade level constitute the team’s score.

Club advisors Michelle Goldstein and Lindsey Persichilli were thrilled to announce that the following students are also First Place National Student Award winners:

Grade three-Max Cantley and Melina Nicou

Grade four-Gavin Cressy, Kierra Spahn, Emma Hearns, and joshua Brodsky

Grade five- Louis Viglietta and Marina Kahn

*Photos and story contributed by Brenda Lentsch/Commack Schools.