Science Seminar at Wachusett Regional High School

Complete Project Manual click HERE


Science Seminar is currently enjoying its 55th year at WRHS. The goal of Science Seminar is to expose students interested in science to a wide range of science topics, current research, and opportunities to improve their own research and experimental projects. This organization meets every Tuesday night from 7 PM to 9 PM. During the first hour, students listen to a speaker. Generally, the speaker is a working scientist sharing his/her research. Speakers are from all areas of science. During the lecture hour of Seminar students learn about current research. This allows them to gain more knowledge in all scientific fields. Students are also encouraged to evaluate other scientific and technological evidence and explanations.

During the second hour, students work with advisors to get advice on their Science Fair projects. Advisors to Science Seminar are not WRHS faculty, but scientists from the community who volunteer their time and expertise.

Meeting Times

  • Alternating Tuesday evenings 7-9 pm

  • Speaker 7-8 pm

  • Advising session 8-9 pm

Place

Rooms H103-H105 at WRHS

(Come in the Gym doors -these two rooms are right next to the Nurse’s office)

Advisors:

Dr. Harry Strock, Materials Scientist, retired. hbstrock@mac.com

Mr.and Mrs. Whitmore, retired from Shrewsbury High School - davidw7111@verizon.net

Dr. Graham Ansell - Organic Chemist/Consultant - gansell7@gmail.com

Mr. David Willens - Research and Development Head Kinefac- davewillens@gmail.com

Winning students at the WRHS Fair are eligible to attend the Regional Science Fair at WPI. Those winners go on to the State Science Fair at MIT. WRHS has had several students represent the state of Massachusetts at the International Fair.

All science curricula at Wachusett include an inquiry approach as set by the learning standards. Science Seminar builds on this knowledge gained in the classroom. In designing their independent science project Seminar students make decisions about the range and number of independent variables and how to control other variables in designing experiments. They select and use common and specialized tools to measure the dependent variable and select appropriate methods of recording and interpreting data. Many students borrow sophisticated equipment from the classroom to carry out their experiment. They apply measurement and data collection techniques they have learned, as well as analysis and interpretation of data through the use of tables, models, demonstrations and graphs. From this interpretation of their data they must draw conclusions for which there is supporting evidence and understand that any conclusions can be challenged by further evidence. When they enter the science fair and explain their project to the judges they must select appropriate means for representing, communicating, and defending a scientific and technological argument.

Seminar Schedule

Week of September 13th-Entrance Exam-please ask your science teacher for specifics.Exams given in rooms D115, D107

Oct. 18th - 1st Seminar - Introductions and Advising

Nov. 1st Speaker- Liz DiLoreto - Infection and Gut Brain Connection

FORM NIGHT FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS

Nov. 15th Speaker- Meredith Rioux - Genomics and Personalized Medicine

Nov. 29th Kinefac Tours - More Info to Come!

FORMS DUE FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS

Dec. 13th - No Speaker - ADVISING ONLY

Dec. 20th- No Seminar

Dec. 27th - No Seminar

Jan. 3rd - Speaker - Dr. Brian Kelch, Current Topics in Biomedical Research

Jan. 24th - Speaker - Caroline Muirhead - Model Organisms and C. elegans

Feb. 7th - Outlining Fair Expectations and Advising

Feb. 14th - Final Advising

Feb 21st - No Seminar Vacation

February 28th - WRHS Science Fair 3PM-9PM in WRHS Cafeteria

Week of March 7th- Regional Science and Engineering Fair, WPI

First Weekend of May Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, MIT

Entering Science Fair?? Form tutorial --click here.

Science Fair FAQ---click here