Pair of Calhoun researchers take third at Long Island Science and Engineering Fair

There is a common thread that runs through the science research projects of Calhoun High School seniors Brigid Maloney and Christian Tucci, both of whom recently made the finals of the prestigious Long Island Science and Engineering Fair –– water.

Maloney, of Merrick, studied scallops in the Peconic Estuary, in Suffolk County. The creatures were devastated by a “brown tide,” or excessive algae bloom, in 1985, and have struggled to recover ever since. She wanted to know whether harder-shelled scallops could better withstand attacks by their primary predator, the mud crab, compared with softer-shelled scallops.

Maloney placed third in the Animal Sciences category at LISEF.

Tucci, of North Bellmore, looked at pollution rates in the Carmans and Swan rivers, both in Suffolk County, examining whether higher population levels lead to greater toxicity levels in the waterways. The answer: yes.

Tucci placed third in the Environmental Sciences category.

Dozens of the best science students from across Long Island annually compete in LISEF. Each Long Island high school is allowed to send six students to the fair, which consists of a preliminary round and a final round, held in February and March. A number of the Island’s top scientists and doctors, all of whom hold doctorates or medical degrees, serve as judges. Contestants lay out their work on giant poster boards, and judges roam around, randomly questioning students about their work. Judges look at students’ ability to explain their research confidently and succinctly.

Maloney is a member of the World of Difference and science clubs, as well as the national, Spanish and science honor societies, and she volunteers at the Town of Hempstead’s Camp Anchor in Lido Beach, working with special-needs children.

Maloney will attend the MacAulay Honors College at the City University of New York at Hunter in the fall and double-major in biology and psychology. Also, through her science-research project, she was certified to scuba-dive.

Tucci is a member of the Central High School District’s On Tour magnet drama program, where he is responsible for lighting and sound design. He also does lighting design for local theater companies, recently forming his own company, Christian Tucci Enterprises, Inc. And he flies helicopters.

Tucci is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and the national, science, math and Languages Other Than English honor societies.

He will attend Fairfield University in Connecticut in the fall, where he will double-major in business administration and entertainment.