Let the hunt for professors begin! Starting October, students in the research program are emailing and going to colleges to ask professors if they can join their labs. If students don't find a professor by the second term, they will be transferred to another elective like robotics or medical issues. After the students join the lab, they study with the professor and perform experiments in professional environment doing scientific breakthroughs. After a year of joining, students will have to enter competitions using what they have learned in their lab.
Susana Tzunun '19 is a research student with a 4.0 GPA, is on the soccer team, and has many AP classes under her belt. You would think a perfect student like this would get into any lab he/she wanted. On the contrary, Tzunun said, "The whole process was nerve-racking."
Tzunun had a hard time finding professors. She sent 15 emails to different professors in different fields with no success. Some responded with apologies that their lab was full and others didn't even give an answer. After a month of scouting and hard work, Tzunun went to a lab interview with her friend and fellow classmate Amy Chen '19, and they both were accepted to the lab. She felt as if a heavy burden was lifted from her chest and thankful for the opportunity. She now researches environmental science at Brooklyn College.
Rubhiyah Chaudhry '19 is another research student who had trouble finding a professor. Although the process was lengthy and dense, it showed promise.
"I knew it was going to be difficult from the start because many professor don't accept high school students, but it was an all worthwhile despite being tedious." Chaudhry said.
The class has a large payoff, intrinsically and extrinsically. The students are not only going to learn how to properly research and grow as professionals, but they look good on college resumes than any other.
Mr. Glenn Elert, Physics teacher and research coordinator talks about his experience with the research program.
"Research is very interesting. It is the best kind of class. All students get attention because it a one on one class. It is never the same thing," he said.
Junior research makes students more professional. When they leave Midwood, they are experts on their projects.
"Students learn to be scientists, which makes it the only real science class in the building." Mr. Elert said.
Written by Daniel Gaft (Class of 2019).
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 edition of Argus.