Bethpage students receive mini-grants to further research projects Syosset senior named YoungArts finalist

is among roughly 700 high school students nationwide deemed the most accomplished young visual, literary and performing artists.

The YoungArts Finalist award recognizes work that demonstrates exceptional technique; a strong, sophisticated, nuanced, and clear artistic point of view; and a depth of thinking/performance that far exceeds the level of peers at this career stage. Award winners endure a highly competitive application process and if selected, are privileged to join a distinguished community of artists, receiving professional development support throughout their careers.

SHS senior Michael Sabatino performs at the conclusion of the YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida.

Photo courtesy of Syosset Central School District

Four Bethpage High School students received a Mini Research Grant Award from the New York Institute of Technology to enhance their research projects.

Pictured from left: Director of Science K–12 and Data Protection Officer Chris Pollatos, freshmen Matthew Tusa and Aryaan Khalfan, junior Diya Sheth, sophomore Devaanshi Kawatra and science research teacher Nicole Dulaney.

BY GARY SIMEONE

Four Bethpage High School students each received $300 as part of a science research grant from NYIT (New York Institute of Technology,) Mini Research Grant Award.

Nicole Dulaney, a science research teacher at Bethpage, said that the four students have been working diligently on their projects for months and are thrilled to have received the award.

“I am thrilled for my students and their accomplishments,” said Dulaney. “It is amazing to see their hard work pay off, and for the value of their research to be recognized by NYIT. I cannot wait to see their projects develop over the next few months and to see them grow as student researchers.”

The four students include a junior. Diya Sheth, sophomore Devaanshi Kawatra and freshmen Matthew Tusa and Aryaan Khalfan.

Dulaney said that the students are part of a science research class that meets every other day at the high school.

“Diya and Devaanshi have been working on their projects since the middle of last year and Aryaan and Matthew started on theirs earlier this year. All of the students have put a lot of effort and time into projects that will be beneficial to science research.”

Sheth had built a water purity sensor and worked on adding a reverse osmosis filter to further enhance her project.

The sensor, which is capable of testing for dissolved oxygen, turbidity and PH levels, will be helpful and cost-effective way for people around the world to have access to clean drinking water.

Kawatra’s project involves a phenomenon called planarian regeneration, which is the result of different light wavelengths.

The $300 grant award will go a long way in helping her secure the supplies she needs to further enhance her project. Supplies include additional LED lights and a flexible microscope to perform the necessary experiments.

Tusa and Khalfan worked together on a project which will help benefit English written text and American Sign Language.

The two students will use the grant money to create a device consisting of a specialized glove with flex sensors and unique programming to covert sign language into written text.

“The flex sensors are placed on each finger of the glove to measure the specific movements of each finger,” said Dulaney. “All of the information gained from using the glove will be transcribed onto a computer-based program to convert the hand position and movement into English text.”

This is the sixth annual Mini Research Grant Award presented by NYIT. The projects focus on STEM related subjects and the further pursuit of science research.

Syosset High School senior Michael Sabatino has been named a finalist in the 2023 YoungArts Competition for his accomplishments as a vocalist. Michael

As a finalist, Michael was invited to participate in National YoungArts Week in Miami, Florida in early January alongside nearly 200 fellow artists. There, Michael enjoyed an intensive program, collaborating with peers across 10 disciplines and further developing his craft with internationally recognized leaders in his field. At the conclusion of the week, Michael performed in a public concert.