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Middle School Students are Finalists in Bright Schools Competition
WEST ORANGE, NJ - Students in the Honors Science Program from Roosevelt and Liberty Middle Schools have been named as finalists in the inaugural Bright Schools Competition. The competition is a collaborative effort of the National Sleep Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association that encourages students in grades 6-8 to explore the correlation between light and sleep and how it influences student health and performance.
Nearly 550 students from all over the country entered the competition. Two of the 50 finalist teams were from Roosevelt Middle Schools:
Eighth grade students Gabby Tranquada and Emily Baker made it to the finals with their project, titled “Jet Lag Study” and seventh grade students Noemi Pare, Patryck Robson and Olivia Ridley made it to the final round with the project titled “Cabin Fever.” Science teacher Tracy Gordon was the students’ team leader.
Eighth grade students Yedidia Mesfin, Anika Fernandes, Marie Brown, and Simone Byun were named as finalists for their research project based on the effect of color on sleep (Color is the wavelength of light we see that is reflected back onto our retinas and interpreted by the brain). Sources say that since color affects mood and mood affects sleep, color can also affect sleep. Research shows that people who sleep in blue-walled hotel rooms receive nearly three additional hours of sleep than people who sleep in a purple-walled room. The student survey showed that blue is the best bedroom color to sleep in, but doesn't improve how you feel in the morning. Science teachers Sue Zaccaro and Vince DeJesus were the students’ team leaders.
Research project options included scientific inquiry, engineering concept and prototype design, and the development of an awareness campaign. Each team submitted a written report detailing their project along with a three minute video showcasing their investigation. Projects are evaluated on the basis of several criteria including scientific accuracy, innovativeness and potential impact.
From the 50 national finalist teams, First, Second and Third-place national winning teams will be chosen and announced in early May.
Involvement in the Bright Schools competition was part of the new Science Honors Middle School program begun in the West Orange School District in September, 2015.
In March, Science Honor School students at Edison Middle School competed in Scholastic Book’s “Mars Writing Contest.” Student Anay Badlani was named as a finalist in that competition.
Liberty Middle School students Yedidia Mesfin, Anika Fernandes, Marie Brown, and Simone Byun.