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Down to a science

By Valerie Montinat
Special Correspondent

February 22, 2007

STAMFORD -- Ten girls are spending their winter break investigating watersheds and bacteria, learning from women who earn their livings as scientists.

The middle school and high school students are taking part in Science Stars, a four-day program at the SoundWaters Coastal Center in Cove Island Park.

The program, in its second year, aims to expose girls to careers in science.

(Andrew Sullivan/Staff photo)

Yesterday, they met Marylee Santoro, a laboratory technician for 15 years at Stamford's Water Pollution Control Authority. She discussed the function of a watershed - land over which snowmelt and rainwater flow into a stream, river or groundwater, carrying sediment, nutrients and pollution.

The WPCA runs Stamford's wastewater treatment plant, which removes pollutants in wastewater and disinfects it before releasing it into Long Island Sound.

Santoro monitors the plant, measuring the dissolved oxygen in wastewater and analyzing it for nutrients such as ammonia, phosphorus and nitrate.

Santoro, a Stamford resident, said science is her passion and she is interested in educating students about her work at the plant.

"I was always curious as to how things work," she said. "When you're interested in something, it always comes easy."

The girls, members of the Urban League and Yerwood Center, tested their knowledge of watersheds yesterday by working in groups to create their own with sand, water and basins. The students also tested their skin and surfaces in the lab for bacteria by collecting swab samples and placing them in agar plates for study.

"I hope it raises their awareness of their environment and helps them to learn not to take it for granted," Santoro said.

Kathy Rhodes, a marine biologist who has worked three years as director of education at SoundWaters, said she hopes the program will help the girls see female scientists as role models.

"Our goal for the girls is to show them that if they're interested in science, there are different paths their lives can take," Rhodes said. "Any time you expand people's options, you benefit them."

Amanda Brya, a sixth-grader at Rippowam Middle School who aspires to be a scientist, said she learned about biology and how most things people touch have bacteria.

"When I was younger I used to watch 'Animal Planet' and other shows like that because I've always been curious about science," Amanda said.

Daniela Rodriguez, a 10th-grader at the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering in Stamford, and her sister, Camila, a ninth-grader at the school, said their interest in the program was sparked by their participation in the Summer Science Camp at the former Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford. A teacher at the camp suggested they join the Science Stars Program.

"I want to be an environmental lawyer when I grow up," Daniela Rodriguez said. "I want to protect the environment from those who might harm it."

Dione Clinkenbeard, an environmental educator for two years at SoundWaters, said the program encourages girls to pursue careers in science.

As a middle-school student, Clinkenbeard participated in programs at SoundWaters and was a mentor at the center during high school.

"My father encouraged my interest in science, but SoundWaters led me down the path to follow it," she said.

The program also is led by environmental educators Lauren Donnelly, Emily Brewster and Callie Gecewicz. Today's guest speaker will be shellfish expert Renee Mercaldo Allen from the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Copyright © 2007, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.

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