February 20, 2004

Timilty students show off their scientific skills

Science was on the brains of more than 600 students from the James P. Timilty Middle School who participated in the annual Timilty Science Fair Feb. 2 to 5. More than 30 volunteers from the MGH and Partners participated as judges.

The goal of the fair is for the students to create an experiment where they develop a scientific question, conduct background research, create a testable hypothesis and then design an experiment with one variable. This year's students presented a wide range of topics, from what effects antacids have on stomach acid to who has better scores on spatial tests, boys or girls.

As part of the MGH/Timilty Partnership Science Connection Program — funded by a Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant with the support of the MGH Community Benefit Program — 21 students were paired with mentors from the MGH. The students and mentors met from October to January to perform experiments, collect and analyze data and prepare presentations based on the results. Eight students joined MGH scientists to present their projects at the MGH Scientific Advisory Council Poster Session Feb. 4. All 21 students will present their posters at the MGH Science Connections Showcase Feb. 26, from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the Main Corridor.

For more information about the MGH/Timilty Partnership, call (617) 445-5712 or send e-mail to sberglund@partners.org.

MGH volunteer judge Galia K. Wise with a Timilty student.