NORTH BERGEN, NJ—This school year, Dr. Cincotta, a High Tech science teacher, and his students are planning to travel twice to East Hanover, NJ to work side by side with professional scientists using instruments like chromatographs and spectrophotometers for real-world experiments in a full-scale, commercial-grade laboratory, which Students 2 Science (S2S) runs.
S2S is a nonprofit organization that encourages, inspires, and teaches students to pursue career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). By working with experienced scientists for four to five hours, students gain a hands-on learning experience, which enhances their confidence and interest for science and technology as well as their grades. S2S scientists share their enthusiasm for the subject matter, making the time in the lab stimulating, educational, and enjoyable.
This is Dr. Cincotta’s fourth year participating in the S2S program.
“I love it,” Dr. Cincotta says.“It really works in actively teaching the students.”
For one experiment, students tested drugs produced by different manufacturing plants to make sure they fit FDA standards. Afterwards, studentsreported what they learned from the experiment to enforce understanding of the subject matter.
“This four-to-five-hour period of lab activities equals doing over one semester of college chemistry lab work,” Dr. Cincotta says.
Since only five percent of U.S. undergraduates today earn college degrees in science and engineering, compared to 42 percent in China, S2S brings STEM careers to life by connecting students with successful technologists and entrepreneurs and by exposing them to the potential financial and social benefits of a career in a STEM-related field.
“I think this is a phenomenal opportunity,” Dr. Cincotta says. “In fact, the hardest part of the day is to get the studentsback on the bus.”
Melina Dallastella, Dr. Cincotta’s intern and assistant, went four times last year.
“I really like it,” Dallastella says. “We get to use tools we don’t have in school.We get to meet really interestingscientists who all went to school to study chemistry.”
On April 2nd, Dr. Cincotta and his students will once again travel to East Hanover, this time, experimenting with organic chemistry.
These experiments open students’ minds and enforce critical thinking.
“Although I’m not really into it [organic chemistry], it’s still really fun just being there.Since I’m more into nuclear chemistry, these experiments make me question if I really want to go into it [nuclear chemistry],” Dallastella says.
Antoinette Robustelli, one of Dr. Cincotta’s AP Chemistry students, experiencedan even greaterimpact by discovering what she truly wanted to specialize in. Since science is very broad, S2S allows students to experiment with different aspects of the subject and to experience college-level scienceto determine which field is the right choice for them.
“When I first got there, I didn’t think I’d change my entire career path based on one field trip,” Antoinette Robustelli says.
By the end of the day, Antoinette’sopinion changed after an experiment involving various testing donewith Advil.
“We used a device to check the melting point [of the Advil]. If it did notmelt at a certain temperature, it should have been labeled as Tylenol,” Robustelli says. “This really affected my view on how easily mistakes can be made even in a lab environment. Just labeling a certain medication wrong can be detrimental.”
Robustelli made her ultimate career decision after Dr. Cincotta asked his students to write about their favorite experience at S2S. Robustelli always wanted to go into science but wasn’t sure which field she should major in in college.
“Now I know,” Robustelli says. “After this experiment, and after writing about it, I realized I wanted to get into research and be a pharmacist.”Robustelli will be attending the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University in the fall.
Robustelli agrees that exposure to science careers should begin early.
“Personally, I think sophomore year is the best time to practice, and the best time to experiment with science. You’re more mature then, and you truly appreciate the work done,” Robustelli says.
The cost, $50 per student per visit, is supported by the Hudson County Schools of Technology Foundation.
“The Foundation has been exceptionally generous in supporting these trips to S2S so that no student would be denied the opportunity for a real-life science laboratory experience,” Dr. Cincotta says.
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