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Students honored and SPARK research highlighted at Shoreham‑Wading River board meeting
Summary
Board and administrators recognized dozens of music and fine‑arts students and heard SPARK science research presentations on microplastics, continuous glucose monitoring and meteorite analysis. Teachers and students said the programs provide college‑level experiences and research exposure.
The Shoreham‑Wading River Central School District Board of Education recognized music and fine‑arts students and heard presentations by members of the district’s Science Research (SPARK) program at its May 6 meeting.
Principal Frank Pugliese announced the 2024–25 Scholar Fine and Performing Arts Award winners and described the award criteria: a 90‑or‑higher weighted GPA at the end of the third marking period plus significant extracurricular contributions in art, literature, music or theater. He thanked district administrators, parents and the Wildcats Helping Art and Music (WAM) booster group for their support.
“Tonight we are going to recognize over 80 students who have maintained a weighted GPA of 90 or higher at the end of the third marking period and contributed significantly to an extracurricular program in the area of art, literature, music, and or theater,” Pugliese said.
Music faculty then read extensive lists of elementary, middle and high school students who were selected for regional and county ensembles. The board asked the audience to hold applause until all names were read so the program could proceed efficiently; students were directed to assemble for group photos after receiving certificates.
Science research showcase The meeting also featured a SPARK science research update led by teacher Miss Schaeffer and introduced by Joseph Palicelli. Schaeffer summarized the program’s year: multiple students submitted work to the Regeneron Science Talent Search, students presented at regional symposia, and the program had its first manuscript submitted to a peer‑reviewed journal.
Three students presented selected projects: - Spencer, a second‑year student, compared microplastic identification and quantification in common and exotic meats and reported higher microplastic counts on the surface of packaged meats; the team used IR spectroscopy at Brookhaven National Laboratory for material identification. - Ray Hidaka, a third‑year student, summarized a literature review suggesting continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in non‑ICU hospital settings can lower average glucose and reduce hypoglycemic events; he also described a collaboration using X‑ray powder diffraction at Brookhaven to create a mineral library for studying invasive plants as fertilizer. - Sasha, a fourth‑year senior, presented multi‑year meteorite mineralogical comparisons and a separate project that detected unexpected elements in some commercial clay face‑mask samples; she noted further analyses are needed to assess risk.
Teacher Schaeffer highlighted the program’s competition successes, regional presentations and the value of hands‑on research: “It’s been a really busy year… I love my job, I love everything that I do for my job, and I love that these are the kids that I get to work with,” she said.
Board response and next steps Board members praised the students and the program; one board member noted personal experience with CGM technology and encouraged the students to continue publishing and presenting. The district plans a science research showcase on June 5 and the SPARK students will present posters at upcoming regional events.
(Reporting based on presentations and remarks by Principal Frank Pugliese, teacher Miss Schaeffer, and student presenters.)
