University Advancement

Public Relations and Strategic Communications

MEDIA RELEASE

CSUN Biology Professor Encourages Young Scientists;
Publishes Research by Middle and High School Students

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Nov. 16, 2007) — There are numerous research opportunities for students at California State University, Northridge, but budding scientists need not wait until college to conduct rigorously controlled experiments, and publish the results.

Southland middle school or high school students can see their names in print, and their work summarized, in the "New Journal of Student Research Abstracts 2007," which is spearheaded by award-winning CSUN biology professor Steven B. Oppenheimer, director of the university’s Center for Cancer and Developmental Biology.

Honoring "young investigators, and their teachers by showcasing their work," and "motivating them to continue their involvement in research science," is a major purpose of the journal, according to the creator and editor, Oppenheimer, who is also a CSU Trustees Outstanding Professor.

Now in its 12th year, the journal presents hundreds of research abstracts that "demonstrate good science," the professor explained, marked by "clear introduction, describing a hypothesis to be tested, appropriate methods and data analysis, results and conclusion statements—and most important—sufficient numbers of appropriate control and experimental samples and repetitions of experiments."

The best aviation and aerospace abstracts are singled out in the journal, which is sponsored by the Van Nuys Airport. The 2007 winners, both in middle school, determined the wing shape that creates the most lift, and at what angle, as well as the factors that constitute a "tip-top paper plane."

Submitted by science teachers, the student abstracts explored a range of questions and proved, for example: that red M&Ms melt faster than other colors, that the five-second rule cited by children when they eat something after dropping it on the floor does not prevent germs, and that teenagers have better memories than adults.

In addition to experiments on plants, temperature, gelatin, boiling water, video games, math scores, chocolate, sleep, tobacco, smoke and music, students also measured, among other things, the endurance of discount versus brand-name batteries, the effects of antibiotics on E. coli bacteria and lead levels in the sediment in the Los Angeles Harbor.

To encourage greater interest in science, the journal presents ideas for aviation research projects suitable for fourth-graders through seniors in high school, guidelines on how to organize a science fair; an explanation on how planes fly, a synopsis of jobs in the aviation field and a history of the Van Nuys Airport, with old photographs.

Lauded recently with an education award from the Airports Council International-North America, the journal is also listed in the federal Library of Congress.

The deadline for submission of abstracts for the next issue is June 1, 2008. Contact Oppenheimer at steven.oppenheimer@csun.edu for further information.