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Massapequa Park students named as one of the Finalist Teams in National Science Competition Bright ideas, solid research and teamwork won four students from Birch Lane Elementary School in Massapequa Park, a spot as finalists in the Christopher Columbus Awards, a nationwide program that challenges middle-school students to explore opportunities for positive change in their communities. Sixth-graders Grace Hoar, Arielle Dhaim, Cassandra Chiocco and Nicolette Festa, and their coach, science teacher Brian Mulcahy, made it to the semifinals earlier this month, and now are one of eight finalist teams in the country to compete for the grand prize- the $25,000 Columbus Foundation Community Grant. Disgusted by the effects of what they estimate is up to 70,000 pounds of Canadian Geese droppings in their schoolyard each year, these students developed a portable, sanitary plow that can scoop about eight cubic feet of goose poop in a throwaway bag. The students were concerned about the health and environmental effects of the droppings which kill grass, degrade water quality and stick on shoes and play equipment at parks, school yards and other public spaces.
As part of their project research, they interviewed family members and township officials and conducted Internet research on alternate solutions to geese droppings which currently include the use of border collies to chase the geese, oiling geese eggs to prevent hatching, and hunting or trapping the geese. The students wanted a solution that would not be harmful to the geese and would be easy for people to use. They anticipate their scooper will be welcomed by homeowners and people responsible for cleaning outdoor areas plagued by the droppings.
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