Two Centereach High School seniors, Sarah Williams and Ceylan Tastan, were awarded Certificates of Pride at the Middle Country Central School District’s recent Board of Education meeting. This recognition highlights their exceptional achievements during their summer research internships at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), where they contributed to transformative science addressing critical energy and environmental challenges.
Ceylan and Sarah were selected to work alongside BNL researchers, engaging in hands-on projects that align with the U.S. Department of Energy’s mission. Their work focused on innovative solutions that could impact our future in ways we have yet to imagine. At the BNL symposium held in August, which representatives from the Middle Country Central School District attended, Ceylan and Sarah presented their findings. Their presentations underscored the value of the science coursework and research experiences provided at Middle Country Central School District, demonstrating how these foundational skills translated into meaningful contributions at the laboratory.
Ceylan Tastan researched the “Computational Prediction of Thermodynamic Hydricity” in collaboration with the Chemistry Department at BNL. Her work has the potential to advance our understanding of energy conversion processes. Sarah Williams focused on the “Design of Printed Circuit Boards for Testing” in partnership with the Instrumentation Division at BNL, showcasing her engineering skills and innovative thinking in the realm of technology and instrumentation.
“We are immensely proud of Ceylan and Sarah for their remarkable achievements and contributions to science,” said Dr. Roberta Gerold, Superintendent of Schools. “Their work not only represents our students’ dedication and talent but also highlights our science program’s strong support. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition!”
The Middle Country Central School District commends Ceylan and Sarah for their hard work and dedication, which not only brings pride to Centereach High School but also inspires future generations of scientists and innovators.