In October 2019, the Science Department launched a new initiative that would allow students to pursue independent research. The department was willing to fund up to ten projects for a maximum of 500 dollars each, with the projects beginning in earnest after winter break. Students were asked to submit a two-page National Science Foundation (NSF)-style grant proposal, with the Science Department serving as the grant reviewing agency. Applicants were required to provide a timeline and budget and to choose a faculty mentor for the project. 

The grants have been awarded to seven students with topics ranging from plastic pollution to 3D printing.

The full list of recipients and projects:

Tori Travassos '21: “The Ecological Footprint of Portsmouth Abbey School”

Lily Lin '22 and Joy Wang '21: “Biosensor”

Jamarya Jackson '20 and Holly Diomede '20: “Furthering Portsmouth Abbey School’s Hydroponic Garden”

Dierdre O’Rourke '21: “Insulin for Portsmouth Abbey”

Carl Ji '21: “Physics Games”

Zack Bartley '20 and Alex Wei '20: “Project Lionfish: A 3D Printed ROV Leveraging Open Source Technologies”

Alexis Lyu '22 and Anna Friendshuh '22: “Plastic Pollution: Polar Fleece and Its Environmental Effects”

Students are able to take advantage of the Student Project Lab located in the new Science Building to conduct their research on their respective projects. We look forward to seeing the progress of this exciting and innovative new program during the winter and spring term.