Freeport High School incoming seniors Rosa Medina, Ryan Strong and Travell White (Class of 2020) ventured to Brookhaven National Laboratory and participated in its prestigious High School Science Research program.
Together with their mentor Dr. Percy Zahl, a scientist at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, students started building an atomic force microscope that has now become an integral part of a nanotechnology laboratory.
While working diligently on the project, they learned exclusive topics within the science and math subjects. In addition, they also had the opportunity to meet and explain their work to the New York State Attorney General Ms. Latisha James.
Freeport is the first district on Long Island to build this sophisticated device and has had more students enrolled in the Brookhaven Science Summer program than any other district.
Dr. Kishore Kuncham, Superintendent of Schools said, "Freeport Public Schools is proud of the extraordinary opportunities we offer our students. We are delighted with our partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratories and the work our students have accomplished. We look forward to the future work our students will achieve based on this amazing project."
In the past, the district collaborated with Brookhaven National Laboratory to start a nanotechnology curriculum, which received the 2016 Be The Change For Kids award from the New York State School Boards Association. The construction of an atomic force microscope will continue to strengthen the nanotechnology curriculum offered in the district.