Schools

LW East Participates In Argonne Student Research Program

East's students will work with Argonne scientist George Sterbinsky to prepare a research proposal and set up an experiment.

LW East will once again participate in Argonne's student research program.
LW East will once again participate in Argonne's student research program. (Photo provided by Lincoln-Way D210.)

FRANKFORT, IL — Lincoln-Way East students will once again get hands-on experience alongside top scientists at Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source. This year, the following students are representing East in this program: Seniors Kendall Blankenburg, Patrick Rossetto, Kira Martin, Sara Cooley, Melissa Bauer, Rishi Patel, Husna Hussaini, junior Jill Ketchen and sophomore Aidan Dauber.

Through Argonne’s Exemplary Student Research Program, the district said student teams conduct experiments using their particle accelerator called the synchrotron.

East’s students will work with Argonne scientist George Sterbinsky to prepare a research proposal, design and set up an experiment, gather and analyze data, make conclusions, and prepare a final poster.

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“I believe this project is extremely important to all of the science students at East,” Chemistry and Forensic Science teacher Benjamin Voliva said in a release. “Like having a great sports team represents the athletic greatness of Lincoln-Way East, having an all-star team of science students represents the intellectual greatness of East. It represents a goal that many are striving to accomplish. Additionally, the top tier universities in America are expecting their applicants to have experiences like this on their resumes. If we are to open the doors to those universities for our students, we have to provide opportunities like this for our top candidates to experience.”

This is the third year Lincoln-Way East has participated in the program at Argonne. Previously, the district said students tested their own catalytic converters for the experiment, which were donated by Bettenhausen Dodge of Tinley Park. Their project was one of few involved in ESRP to have a definite conclusion. It was the model presented to this year’s participants.

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“The Science Department is thrilled to have Mr. Voliva bring our students this research opportunity for the third time,” said Lincoln-Way East Science Department Chair Maria Wilson.


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