Date: Jul 07, 2010

National Grid Supports Hofstra's "Green" Summer Science Research Project for High School Students

Program is part of National Grid's "Engineering Our Future" Initiative to Encourage Engineering as a Career

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Through a generous grant from National Grid as part of “Engineering Our Future,” Hofstra University is offering “green” research projects ranging from household energy demand and alternative fuels to environmental engineering as part of its annual Summer Science Research Project (HUSSRP). Since 2002 HUSSRP has offered high school students opportunities to conduct individual scientific research projects under the supervision of Hofstra faculty in the physical and natural sciences, psychology and mathematics.

This year’s HUSSRP and National Grid's “Engineering our Future” initiative have joined to inspire youth and attract and develop engineers.  Through “Engineering Our Future,” National Grid is addressing the impending critical shortage of utility engineers. The company already has invested more than $3 million in this initiative to support community-based projects, research centers and organizations that provide programs to encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and math. 

This summer HUSSRP has added additional faculty members from the Chemistry, Geology and Engineering Departments, and from Hofstra’s newly established Center for Climate Study.  This will allow students to work on even more projects focusing on energy issues, global warming and green technologies. 
 
Similar to the summer of 2009, the program will run from July through August. However, meetings with Hofstra faculty members and the high school students to discuss interest and research opportunities took place earlier in the spring. According to program director, Associate Professor of Chemistry Nanette Wachter, 16 HUSSRP student participants have been recognized as Intel Science Talent Search Semifinalists.

Dr. Wachter has said HUSSRP draws high school juniors and seniors from all over Long Island, but she also receives inquiries about it from students across the country and Canada. Students are selected for this program on the basis of their high school science experience, a personal interview and a high school teacher's recommendation.
 
In late September the students will have the opportunity to participate in a poster session where they will display the work they performed during the summer. Due to the support by National Grid, the September symposium will feature a keynote address by a prominent climatologist.  For more information on HUSSRP, call Dr. Wachter at (516) 463-5534 or e-mail Nanette.M.Wachter-Jurcsak@hofstra.edu.
 
Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law.
 
National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.

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• When viewing images, move your cursor over "i", which is on the upper left side of the slideshow to see a caption.

Students participating in the 2010 Hofstra University Summer Science Research Program pose with Program Director and Associate Professor of Chemistry Nanette Wachter (left), National Grid electrical engineers Nayana Niglye and Iram Iqbal, and Assistant Professor of Geology Christa Farmer.

Dr. Wachter and students listen to a presentation by National Grid electrical engineers Nayana Niglye and Iram Iqbal.

National Grid’s Nayana Niglye talks to the students about the future of energy and professional opportunities in engineering.

Iram Iqbal of National Grid talks to the HUSSRP students about the future of energy providers and career opportunities for young people

HUSSRP high school interns and Hofstra students and faculty working to extract sediment cores from the marsh behind Gilgo Beach, Jones Beach Island. Sediment layers exposed in the cores will be used to reconstruct a prehistoric record of major hurricane strikes on Long Island. Pictured here: Intern Jonathan Tam (standing) prepares to install a winch to pull the sediment core tube out of the marsh while Hofstra students Courtney Melrose and Matt Jensen detach the vibrator head from the core.

HUSSRP high school interns and Hofstra students and faculty working to extract sediment cores from the marsh behind Gilgo Beach, Jones Beach Island. Sediment layers exposed in the cores will be used to reconstruct a prehistoric record of major hurricane strikes on Long Island. Pictured here: Shira Polan measuring a split sediment core in preparation for sampling.

HUSSRP high school interns and Hofstra students and faculty working to extract sediment cores from the marsh behind Gilgo Beach, Jones Beach Island. Sediment layers exposed in the cores will be used to reconstruct a prehistoric record of major hurricane strikes on Long Island. Pictured here: Using a block and tackle to pull up the sediment core out of the marsh. (L to r) Dr. Bret Bennington, Hofstra students Matt Jensen and Courtney Melrose, interns Jonathan Tam and Shira Polan.

HUSSRP high school interns and Hofstra students and faculty working to extract sediment cores from the marsh behind Gilgo Beach, Jones Beach Island. Sediment layers exposed in the cores will be used to reconstruct a prehistoric record of major hurricane strikes on Long Island. Pictured here: Moving gear out into the marsh in preparation for coring.

HUSSRP high school interns and Hofstra students and faculty working to extract sediment cores from the marsh behind Gilgo Beach, Jones Beach Island. Sediment layers exposed in the cores will be used to reconstruct a prehistoric record of major hurricane strikes on Long Island. Pictured here: Pulling a sediment core out of the marsh. (L to r) intern Jonathan Tam, Hofstra students Matt Jensen and Courtney Melrose, intern Shira Polan, and Dr. E. Christa Farmer.