Science leaps out of textbooks and into a brand new research lab for students enrolled in the Science Research Program at Walt Whitman High School.  The South Huntington School District held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 14th to officially open the new professional-level laboratory space for marine and environmental research.  

After several years of planning, and construction that started during the summer of 2024, the new research space in rooms 410, 412, and 414 gives students the opportunity to explore real-world problem solving and investigate science research that hasn’t been done before on the high school level.

Walt Whitman High School offers four science research electives available to students in grades 9 through 12.  Two of those courses are eligible for college credit in the junior and senior years, through Syracuse University.  The program allows students to experience all aspects of professional research in science, math and/or technology.  They explore and choose their own research topic and, through independent study during the school year, conduct the necessary testing and fieldwork.  Students learn research methodology by accessing scientific databases and conducting literature reviews using online bibliographic search techniques.  Students also make presentations demonstrating their progress and consult with doctoral-level research scholars under the guidance of their instructor and/or outside mentors.  They enter their projects into several science competitions including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Long Island Science Congress, the Farmingdale College STEM Summit, and the Andromeda Science Fair, and win top awards.

As the popularity of these courses grows each year, science research teachers Fred Feraco and John Karavias wanted to give students more room and more equipment with which to experiment.  With marine research, it’s important to have easy access to water.  And with new equipment there’s a need for more access to electric outlets.  So the new research space has both – more sinks, including one on the floor for large containers and tanks, and extendable and retractable power cords that are suspended from the ceiling over the research tables.

“This room is almost limitless with the things we can do now with the way the plumbing has been set up and how the electricity was placed throughout the room.  We have stations and equipment in areas specialized for different types of research projects, plus new lab tables. And the space is flexible so students can set up any type of project they need within the lab space,” said Mr. Feraco.

New equipment includes various coral farm systems from 80 to 300 gallons that allow students to isolate coral for research purposes, customize the lighting conditions, and experiment with water filtration and aquaculture engineering systems.  The high school’s 600 gallon coral reef tank, established in 2017, has been upgraded with new maintenance, pump, and lighting systems offering one of the most comprehensive coral propagation operations in a high school setting.  With coral reefs dying across the globe, experiments aimed at solving this environmental problem have been popular with research students.

A Molecular Biology research station is equipped for hands-on DNA replication, and six fully automated plant growth units allow for experimentation in controlled environmental agriculture, plant biology, and sustainability.

The Science Research Lab will also be used for the district’s summer science enrichment program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students.

South Huntington Board of Education president Nicholas Ciappetta says science and technology are becoming more and more important in education these days and the learning has to be hands-on.  “It can't just be about sitting in a chair and watching a teacher.  It has to be more interactive so we've tried to renovate spaces with an eye towards improved academics because that’s what's making the difference,” said Mr. Ciappetta. 

Mr. Feraco and Mr. Karavias would like to thank the company Aperture Pet & Life for their donation of the new high-capacity return pumps for the coral reef tank, and local reef shop Island Fish and Scale, located in Commack, for their ongoing expert guidance and support of Walt Whitman’s Science Research program.  Their continuous donations of equipment, time, and knowledge supports one of the most comprehensive coral propagation operations in a high school setting.  They would also like to thank Polo Reef and its founder, Andrew Sandler, for his continuing support of marine biology education and Whitman’s program through donations, mentoring, and internships for our students.  Sandler’s love for reef aquariums began in childhood and his mission is to make marine science more accessible, hands-on, and impactful to students who share that interest.

There’s plenty of shelf space for easy access to all kinds of research equipment.

No research lab is complete without microscopes!