January 22, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Three Santa Monica Students Selected To Conduct Research On Climate Change:

Three Santa Monica High School juniors will embark on a complex mission to explore and measure rising sea levels this summer as part of a field study to evaluate how climate change is altering the nation’s coastlines.

Claire Rawson-Dannenbaum, Brian Stewart, and Matias Biraben were selected for L.A. Ignite Fellowships, which are offered by a partnership between the Earthwatch Institute – an international environmental charity that conducts scientific eco-research – and the family-run Durfee Foundation.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students to utilize critical thinking skills, while gaining hands-on field experience,” Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Superintendent Sandra Lyon said.  “This validates our commitment to providing students a rigorous science and technology curriculum.  We are so proud of our talented and resourceful students at Samohi.”

Rising sea levels along America’s coastlines are a great cause of concern for researchers of climate change. In Rhode Island, the students will join Earthwatch in evaluating how regional sea levels have changed during the last 500 years.

The students will participate in every step of the scientific process, while learning technical skills important to the field of earth science. They will also gain a fresh perspective that will enhance their advancement into higher education.

Earthwatch seeks candidates that not only show a passion and curiosity for science and nature, but are also very social, friendly and down-to-earth. Though these characteristics can define all of the Samohi applicants, Rawson-Dannenbaum, Stewart and Biraben were selected for their ability to communicate and innovate – qualities that will serve them well over the course of  this two-week field study.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for our students,” Samohi Advanced Placement science instructor Kate Song said. “They will have the opportunity to be out in the field with professors and scientists who are conducting the same research.”

Song is continually seeking ways for her students to experience real-life science outside of the classroom. At the beginning of this school year, Song enlisted two Samohi seniors who were awarded L.A. Ignite Fellowships in 2014, Sadie Saltzman and Dylan Meea, along with Earthwatch L.A. Outreach Coordinator Miguel Perla, to speak to her Advanced Placement biology and physiology classes about the field study experience.

The presentation prompted 12 students to submit applications for this year’s program, with three ultimately winning coveted spots on the research team.

Upon their return from Rhode Island in the fall, Rawson-Dannenbaum, Stewart and Biraben will share their experiences with Song’s incoming AP students.

“We want to make Earthwatch field studies a yearly tradition at Samohi,”  Song said. “Next year, we expect many more students to apply for L.A. Ignite Fellowships.”

in News
<>Related Posts

(Video) A Plus Tree LLC: Leaders in Professional Tree Care for Homes and Businesses

January 22, 2025

January 22, 2025

The A Plus Tree team partners with and serves residential, apartment, HOA, commercial, and retail properties The A Plus Tree...

County Board Approves Emergency Measures to Address Post-Fire Debris Flows

January 22, 2025

January 22, 2025

The measures include installing temporary flood control infrastructure, removing hazardous materials from burn zones, and coordinating with state and federal...

Deadlines Extended for Personal and Business Taxes for Wildfire-Affected Residents of LA County, City

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

Mayor Bass announces New Deadline, State and Federal Extensions Even Longer Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the deadline...

Remaining Malibu Schools to Reopen Wednesday Following Power Shutoff

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

Superintendent Shelton confirms power restoration at key campuses Schools in Malibu are now set to reopen on Wednesday, Jan. 22,...

Westside Ballet Community Rallies to Support 40 Families Devastated by Palisades Fire

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

Founded in 1967, Westside Ballet is Los Angeles’ oldest public ballet school, renowned for its inclusive approach to dance education...

Palisades Fire Containment Reaches 63% as Repopulation Continues in Fire Zones

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

Select Areas Now Open to Residents Only as Evacuation Orders Are Eased The Palisades Fire has reached 23,713 acres with...

Renowned Developer Who Raised Family in Palisades Appointed Chief Recovery Officer for Rebuilding Effort

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

For Soboroff, the task is deeply personal. Mayor Karen Bass has appointed Steve Soboroff as the Chief Recovery Officer to...

Bowlero in Mar Vista Rebrands as “Lucky Strike”

January 21, 2025

January 21, 2025

Bowlero, which opened in 2015 following a retro renovation of the original AMF Mar Vista Lanes, had long been a...

Governor Newsom Expands Tenant Protections for Firestorm Survivors

January 20, 2025

January 20, 2025

Eviction Safeguards Offered for Tenants Sheltering Displaced Individuals Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order extending eviction protections to...

Malibu School Update: Set to Reopen January 21 Pending Power Shutoffs, Red Flag Warnings

January 20, 2025

January 20, 2025

SMMUSD Plans Full-Day Schedules While Adjusting Bus Routes  The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) plans to reopen its four...

Two Arrested By LASD for Impersonating Firefighters in Palisades Fire Zone

January 20, 2025

January 20, 2025

Suspects Detained After Attempting to Access Evacuation Areas Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau investigators announced the arrest of...

Zooey Deschanel Mourns Loss of Childhood Home in Palisades Fire “Full of Too Many Incredible Memories to Count”

January 20, 2025

January 20, 2025

The home earned it the nickname “The Church” among her childhood friends Zooey Deschanel’s childhood home, a historic 1920s Spanish...

Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory Issued for Los Angeles County Amid Strong Santa Ana Windstorm

January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Public Health Warns of Poor Air Quality, Health Risks as Winds Stir Pollutants From Burn Scars The Los Angeles County...

Malibu Schools to Reopen January 21 After Franklin Fire and Palisades Fire Recovery

January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Schools Set To Resume Classes Tuesday, Resources Available for Displaced Families. Malibu schools will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, following...

Red Flag Warning: Santa Ana Winds and Extreme Fire Danger Again Predicted This Week

January 19, 2025

January 19, 2025

Winds Up to 100 MPH Expected; Residents Urged to Prepare for Critical Fire Weather  The National Weather Service has issued...