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We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Animal Defenders of Westchester
P.O. Box 205
Yonkers, NY 10704

Action Alerts

Pace disgrace: allows HS student animal torturer in Fair

In THE JOURNAL NEWS WWW.THEJOURNALNEWS.COM 3/20 is an article about a HS student who performed experiments on baby rats for Pace University's science fair, which they admit isn't allowed in other venues.  All contact info, including for PACE UNIVERSITY,  at bottom of the page:  

Young scientists at work

By BRIAN J. HOWARD

THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: March 20, 2005)

Max Christie has good reason to try to find a way to reverse the learning impairments suffered by those with epilepsy. Told he had a mild form of the disease four years ago, the Ossining High School senior has made that the focus of his high school science research.

That includes testing the cognitive impact of seizures on baby rats by inducing those seizures with electric shocks. His methods have disqualified him from research competitions in the past, he admits.

But yesterday, he was on hand to present his findings at Pace University in Briarcliff Manor."I agree with Mr. Spock, that 'the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few,' " Christie said.

Christie was among 149 students from 24 local high schools to take part in the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. Of them, eight individuals and up to four teams will go on to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix in May.

WESEF, as yesterday's regional is known, has been hosted by Pace University since the even began five years ago, director Michael Blueglass of Yorktown High School said. Students from Westchester and Putnam counties participate each year.For all the long hours students put into their research, honing their studies over three years and working closely with professional mentors, many find that the hardest part is making presentations.

"I think Einstein said, if you can't explain something to a child you have to rethink it," Edgemont junior Sainatee Suarez said.Michael Schwartz, a senior at White Plains High School, agreed."I think the hardest part is sounding natural, really sounding like you know your stuff," he said.

But that process of presenting research methods and scientific findings will serve these students well in college, in graduate school and beyond, Blueglass said.

"Educationally speaking, this is so much better because a kid has to practice defending their research like a doctoral dissertation," Blueglass said. "Win or lose, this is phenomenal.

"Madeline Borgaro coordinates the science research program at Lakeland and Walter Panas high schools. She said judges were often amazed by students' level of research. The experience they gain will put these students ahead their peers when they get to college, Borgaro said.

Shameka Edmond, a senior at White Plains High School, plans to attend Dillard University in New Orleans and one day become a pediatrician.

Yesterday, though, her focus was on bluebirds. It seems New York's state bird is under assault from the viciously territorial house sparrow, Edmond explained. Up late preparing the night before, she admitted she was tired but excited about her presentation. She has to correct those who assume it is a reflection of her career interests, though."Everyone says, 'You're going to be an ornithologist?' " Edmond said. "No, not really."

About WESEF

Progenics-WESEF, the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair, is sponsored by Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc., Pace University and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Support also comes from Fuji Film, Old Oak Foundation, the Westchester County delegation of the state Legislature, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Cablevision, Wachovia Bank and Northern Westchester County Life magazine. For more information, students, mentors and teachers should contact Dr. Charlene Hoegler, lecturer in biology, Pace University, at [email protected]  or WESEF director Michael Blueglass at 914-243-0561 or [email protected] .

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Letters to the editor: [email protected] , 250 wds or less, incl name, address, phone # for verification.

ALSO:  Contact Pace University!  This school used to be the site for annual 'Animals and the Law' conferences that were wide-reaching in scope and compassion; the conferences are not longer allowed - instead they're giving a platform to young animal abusers.  INTEL, referred to in the article, has been kicked out of other schools.

DEMAND PACE NOT WELCOME HS STUDENTS WHO TEST ON VERTEBRATE ANIMALS WHICH OTHER SCHOOLS PROHIBIT:

EMAIL:  PATRICIA BARNES, OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OMBUDSMAN: [email protected]  

DR. CHARLENE HOEGLER, lecturer in biology, PACE UNIVERSITY:  [email protected]           

CC:   [email protected]  

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