Northport-East Northport School District Siblings Advance In National STEM competition

On Sept. 6,2016 students Isabella DeBrino (grade 9) and Maxwell DeBrino (grade 8) from the Northport-East Northport School District were selected to be among the top 300 semifinalists at the Broadcom MASTERS 2016 for their outstanding contributions to scientific research. The Broadcom MASTERS (Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) is the nation’s most prestigious Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) competition for middle school students.

The competition rewards sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students who follow their personal passions in science or engineering at 300 regional and state science fairs. Isabella and Maxwell participicated in the the Long Island regional competition, sponsored by the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF), in March and qualified to enter the Broadcom MASTERS by being among the top 10 percent of the highest scoring projects. National semifinalists were selected from more than 6,000 nominees and 2,343 applicants. Each application received three independent readings and evaluations by distinguished scientists, engineers and educators.

“This is a wonderful recognition and a well deserved one at that,” said Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Irene McLaughlin.

McLaughlin praised the two students’ STEM teachers, Science Research Program Coordinator Bryan Horan and District Chairperson of Science and Techology Eduacation David Storch for their leadership and support.

“Great work all around,” McLaughlin added.

The 30 Broadcom MASTERS finalists will be announced on Sept. 20, 2016. Finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC from Oct. 27 2016 to Nov. 2, 2016 to showcase their science fair projects and compete in a four-day STEM competition for awards and prizes, including the top education award of $25,000 presented by the Samueli Foundation.

Photo Captions:

1) Student Isabella DeBrino presented her research titled “Perplexing Paper Problems – The Effect of a Paper’s Composition on its Performance” at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) in March.

2) East Northport Middle School student Maxwell DeBrino presented his research titled “Bird’s Eye View: The Effect of Shape and Ultraviolet Color on the Feeding Behavior of Finches” at the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair (LISEF) in past March.

3) Siblings Isabella DeBrino and Maxwell DeBrino were selected as semifinalists in the prestigious Broadcom MASTERS competition for their outstanding contributions to scientific research.
Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport School District