Millbrook's Science Symposium 2021
Sophie Stark
Sophie Stark’s ISR grew out of her experience with a Millbrook Engage internship wherein she volunteered at the Cold Spring Behavioral Hub, a community-focused mental health resource center. Immersion in mental health issues during a global pandemic led Sophie to her ISR project; an assessment of COVID anxiety at Millbrook.
Sam Smith
Sam Smith’s ISR compared Millbrook’s pre-Covid bacterial biodiversity with the amount of bacteria to be found now, with health and safety protocols in place to maintain the bubble. He honed his data collection and lab skills, and also remained open to the possibility of answering a different question than the one asked initially.
Olivia Charles
Olivia Charles’ ISR is an assessment of Millbrook’s current carbon footprint and a detailed plan for how to further decrease campus environmental impact. Olivia’s work builds on the legacy of environmental stewardship at Millbrook and provides a roadmap for future progress.
Hannah Stewart
Hannah Stewart worked with a college science professor to analyze thousands of camera trap images of sloths captured in the Peruvian Amazon. Her ISR sought insight on how sloths perceive and react to danger in their natural habitats.
Hanji Xu
Hanji Xu has undertaken an especially relevant ISR project that investigates how smartphone screen time might relate to the visual stimulation users get from colorful apps and content. Her ISR seeking a possible connection between screen time and color content may be the first of its kind and Hanji is almost certainly the only high school student to conceive, design, and execute such a project.
Anna Metzger
Anna Metzger’s ISR grew from her love of architecture and her growing interest in sustainable architecture and green design. The Science Symposium will include Anna’s designs for new, sustainable faculty housing at Millbrook. Anna gained technical expertise and experience in assessing the needs of end-users while developing her aesthetic sense.
Amber Hatfield
Amber Hatfield has volunteered at the Trevor Zoo as a middle schooler and during subsequent summer. Her ISR progressed from an overarching love of animals to more focused research about animal behavior and well-being. Like the Trevor Zoo itself, Millbrook’s ISR program provides a truly unique opportunity for students to do real research in pursuit of answers to their own questions.
