Smithtown East ThINK Discovery science research program has won the Genes in Space Constellation Award which "celebrates an educational institution's collective enthusiasm for science and space." Awardees are selected from each of five geographical regions represented by submissions from over 263 schools across 41 states. Smithtown East was the winner from the Northeast region and will receive a biotechnology prize, a DNA Discovery System from miniPCR bio, which includes "some of the same tools used aboard the International Space Station to carry out Genes in Space experiments," valued at $1100.
According to Ms. Zeitlin, Smithtown East science research coordinator, "This is a wonderful way to encourage programs to continue to foster excitement for space investigations. Having attended three International Space Station Conferences (ISSRDC), where student finalists were honored and celebrated, cemented my passion for student involvement with experiments aboard the ISS. Special thanks to Marc Bliss and the entire Genes in Space team!"
Past student finalists include Kevin Chen and Alexa Knee (2019), Zachary Finger (2021), and Charlene Chen (2023).
