Ridge Third Grader Recognized for Winning New York State Science Fair

At today's Suffolk County Legislature meeting, Ridge Elementary School fourth-grader Juliana Gianmugnai was recognized for being named the June 2023 first-place winner not only at the Brookhaven National Laboratory Elementary Science Fair but also at the New York State Science Fair for her experiment, Which One is the Best Filter Feeder: Oysters or Clams? 

After observing baby clams at Smith Point Beach, Juliana learned about a project using clams and oysters in the ocean and bays to clean Long Island waters. 

Juliana decided to conduct her science project on finding out the best filter feeder: oysters or clams. After collecting bay water and sand from the Great South Bay, she compared the oysters and clams and discovered that oysters pull water through the hinge and out through the mouth using their muscle. Clams use a siphon to filter water. 

After analyzing her results, Juliana discovered that oysters were better filter feeders!

 

Pictured l-r:  Board Vice President Daniel Tomaszewski, Ridge Assistant Principal Laura Hopkins, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, Juliana, Board President Victoria Molloy, and Juliana's Parents.