As seen in the Insider, December 2002.  Written by Sarah Arnold, Public Affairs, Stamford Public Schools.

It’s every teacher’s desire to see his or her students succeed.  Frank LaBanca, a biology teacher from Stamford High School, has witnessed plenty of successes over the years – but when one of his students was recently named a National Semifinalist in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology, it was an “extra perq” as he describes it.   

“This is one of the top academic awards in science,” says LaBanca, whose student, Igor Zelenberg, earned the award for his research project about the effects of heavy metal on local fish populations.  Igor, a senior, is enrolled in LaBanca’s Science Research Seminar.  In the class, students select their own project and are responsible for all phases of research, analysis, and presentation. LaBanca says his role is to be a primary mentor for students and to teach them how to use scientific techniques.  He also helps students make connections with other mentors, usually at the college level, to assist them in the advanced stages of their research projects. 

Not many school systems offer a course like Science Research Seminar, which allows students to work independently on issues of great scientific interest and importance.