Senior Daniel Anton to Attend International Science Research Competition

By Madison Milla

On March 18, Science Research students Daniel Anton, Kayla Crai, Adriana Gleeson, Gia Lee, Madison Milla, Margaret Palmer, and Janice Yohannan competed in the 2023 Greater Capital Region Science and Engineering Fair (GCRSEF). At the day-long competition, students presented their research to a panel of judges who presented students with special awards and cash prizes. At the end of the award ceremony, judges announced the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners within each scientific category who will advance to this year’s Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Dallas, Texas. 

Daniel Anton: 2nd place, invitation to Regeneron ISEF, $750 from RPI School of Science

Kayla Crai:  1st Honorable Mention, invitation to STANYS State Science Congress, $250 from RPI School of Science & Regeneron Biomedical Science Award, $500

Gia Lee: Curia: Passion for Scientific Endeavors Award, $150

Madison Milla: Dudley Observatory Award, $100

Margaret Palmer: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) “Taking the Pulse of the Planet” Award

Janice Yohannan: Regional Ricoh Sustainable Development Award 

Senior Daniel Anton is the first student from Nyack to place in the top three at GCRSEF and advance to an international science competition! Daniel’s project is titled When to teach intellectual Humility? An investigation into high school and middle school students.  

MM: What did you study? And how do you think your research will impact Nyack’s educational system? 

DA: “I studied how to increase better student behaviors. In a world where equity is very important, all students deserve the opportunity to succeed. But for one reason or another (usually socioeconomic), they are unable to develop certain skills and thus develop a fixed mindset, or the idea that their intelligence cannot be grown. I looked at trying to increase these behaviors by teaching students intellectual humility (the belief that you can be wrong) and growth mindset (the idea that your mind can be improved) through videos. These are important parts of student behaviors. I studied both the high school and middle school, and the middle school students had a better reaction to being taught these skills, suggesting that researchers and educators should focus their efforts on middle school students, so they can hopefully carry it into high school and beyond.”

MM: How does it feel to be the first Nyack student to advance to an international competition? 

DA: “I feel extremely honored. Honestly, it’s all very surreal. But I cannot thank enough all who allowed me to receive this achievement: my mentor, my science research teacher Ms. Jacobson, and of course all my science research classmates.”

MM: How was your overall experience at GCRSEF?

DA: “It was really fun! To spend a day with my fellow science research students and talk to judges who were interested in my topic, I realized that our current generation has so much to offer the world of science. I’m really proud of how well Nyack as a whole did!”

MM: Were you expecting this achievement after the competition?

DA: “I honestly went into the competition with no expectations. We all felt great about our projects, but I was also impressed by the work I saw there from other schools. At the end of the day, I just knew I had really enjoyed meeting other science research students and talking with judges on a more personal level. This achievement was, of course, an amazing addition.”

MM: Why did you join Science Research (SciRes)?

DA: “Actually, I had joined the class because I asked you about it and you seemed really passionate! I want to build a more equitable world. I also have an interest in psychology and science research allowed me to explore that passion and help make a difference.”

MM: What has this accomplishment taught you and how has it impacted your overall Science Research experience?

DA: “This accomplishment has taught me that we have a really great science research program at Nyack. There was never a question that I felt ill-equipped to answer, and that’s thanks to my wonderful teachers and classmates. We all have so much to offer to better our community. Now I’m a lot busier of course preparing for ISEF, but it’s really made SciRes more lively and interesting. I’m excited to see what happens next.”

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, Daniel will travel down to Dallas, Texas where he will compete at the international level against over 1,500 research students.