Science journal to publish work by nine CCS students

For the first time, nine students from Christchurch School have submitted research papers to the Virginia Junior Academy of Sciences for publication this year. All nine papers were accepted for presentation as well.

These students conducted their research under the guidance of faculty member Franklin Bell while taking the honors ecological research class which also offers dual enrollment credit through Virginia Wesleyan University.

Students are innately curious about their surroundings and this class allows them to pursue their own individual interests while learning about major ecological principles, he said. Learning how to conduct research and correctly analyze data is an important skill for students.

But just as important, learning how scientists communicate their findings with others in their community. Science is not conducted in a vacuum; it is important for students to learn how to write up and present their findings. Hence the importance of publishing and why it is critical for our future leaders to submit papers to the academy and to present their findings.

The ecological research class is a project-based course open to 11th and 12th graders who participate in ongoing field-based research. Projects include year-to-year monitoring of variables in local ecosystems…