New director revives SSHS science research program

The lab coats are taking over.

This summer, more than a dozen students in South Side High School's science research program are interning both near and far in laboratories and universities. The high school will also be collaborating on botanical research with Hofstra University, to be completed in South Side's newly renovated greenhouse.

Herb Weiss, director of the school's science research program, has expanded that research over the past two summers. Weiss helped interested students secure research internships at prestigious institutions all over the country.

Weiss also formed a partnership with Dr. Myla F.J. Aronson, a biology faculty member at Hofstra. The two have created a program in which a handful of South Side students work with a Hofstra undergrad to study invasive species in the new greenhouse this summer.

Weiss has accomplished much in just two years at the high school, administrators say. "It's not only his scientific curiosity and his intellectual capacity that makes Weiss exceptional," said Noreen Leahy, who supervised the science department in her previous position as an assistant principal at the school. "His involved personality and sense of humor makes science fun."

Indeed, students say that Weiss's blend of infectious enthusiasm, dedication and emphasis on the learning process has been a breath of fresh air in the school's research program. The departure of Richard Kurtz in 2007, Leahy said, left a big hole in the once-vibrant program. "We tried to keep things afloat," she said, "but there was no progress and no expansion. Our No. 1 priority was to keep kids in the research class and do competitions, but at the bare minimum."

Weiss's arrival at South Side resulted in a complete turnover of the science research program.

The second annual Research Symposium on April 26 spotlighted the program's rapid expansion and the hard work of Weiss and his students. In addition to the summer research placements, research students participated and gained honors in a slew of prestigious competitions, including the Intel Science and Talent Search and the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. The Classroom without Walls program has encouraged students to attend events and lectures throughout the metropolitan area. South Side students are also heavily involved in challenges such as the Science Olympiads and the National Science Bowl.

"Even if all he does is get kids involved, that's enough for Weiss," Leahy said with a smile. "He's even made me love science."

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