“It feels great to know that you accomplished something that most college kids are doing,” said eighth grader William Toledo last week. “It feels great that you did something awesome.”
Toledo is one of many Woodrow Wilson School students in Union City who have been participating in the rigorous ROGATE (Resources Offered in Gifted and Talented Education) program, sponsored by the National Talent Network of Educational Information Resource Center in Mullica Hill, N.J.
The advanced group is one that Principal Ronald Treanor said goes “above and beyond” expectations. The students have already taken the SATs twice and have scored above the average high school senior, even though they are in middle school.
Eight students from the eighth grade class at Wilson are now up for the Gold Satori Award, a distinguished award for students who have advanced through the program.
“It’s enjoyable because you get a topic that you’re interested in.” – James Ortiz
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Mindful research
For his project, Toledo researched the effect of video games on the mind of children by studying kids in his neighborhood. He was inspired to conduct the research after he saw a friend purchase a popular but controversial video game in front of his parents, who did not realize its high violence rating.
As part of his research, Toledo monitored the speech of kids and had them draw pictures after playing video games.
He found that kids tend to mimic the phrases that they hear in the video games in everyday speech and also found that, like his friend’s parents, most parents do not understand the rating systems.
“I think that parents should learn what their kids are doing,” said Toledo.
Melanie Torres, an aspiring psychologist, also researched pop culture and young minds. Collaborating with her partner Lauren Sarmiento, she monitored the effects of music on teen behavior and found that listening to genres like hard core metal can lead to conditions like depression.
Torres said that she enjoyed the research because it’s preparation for the work done in college and provides a sense of satisfaction.
Earth friendly
While some students went inward for their research projects, others looked to the great outdoors.
Eileen Gao conducted her project on alternative fuels, researching whether or not it’s better to seek out those alternatives or lessen dependence on fuel altogether.
“It takes a long time to discover alternative fuels,” said Gao, who worked on her project by researching current events. Based on her research, she concluded that lessening dependence on fuels would be the better option in the short term.
Gao said that her project may have even contributed to her parents looking at hybrids when considering a new car.
Fellow student Laura Rincon was moved by an interest in the environment to also focus her project on fuels. Rincon posited that the continual use of fossil fuels will increase the atmospheric temperature and took surveys in school as part of her research.
She hopes that her research will make people more aware of what they’re doing to the earth and will encourage them to find another resource that doesn’t harm the earth.
James Ortiz got down to the root of the environmental topics. In his research on carbon capture and storage, he learned that trees are more efficient means of reducing carbon dioxide.
“It’s enjoyable because you get a topic that you’re interested in,” said Ortiz, who was inspired by an interest in global warming sparked in chemistry class last year.
Ortiz said that spreading awareness about taking responsibility for the planet is important and at the very least he hopes his research will encourage others to plant a tree, something he can’t do himself because he lives in “the smallest apartment ever.”
Creatures big and small
For Angelica Morales, being environmentally friendly is not just about the earth itself, but also taking care of what lives on earth. Inspired by a show she saw on The History Channel about elephants in the circus, Morales focused her research on animal cruelty.
“Elephants don’t naturally ride bicycles,” said Morales, who was invited to present her project at a PETA meeting in New York City. “Who are we to alter the way of life?”
Priscilla Arevalo’s project was inspired by a much smaller creature, very close to home. When her little sister was born, Arevalo’s mom chose to save the umbilical cord blood, which could possibly be used in the future if the baby becomes sick.
Arevalo researched the use of cord blood to cure leukemia, interviewing doctors for expert views on the subject.
Although she doesn’t think her research will revolutionize the medical field, she hopes it will have some impact.
“I would feel good if it contributed slightly,” said Arevalo.
The names of the winners of the Gold Satori Award are expected to be released by the end of April.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.