Registration for the second Neurological Surgery P.C. Health Science Competition (NSPC HSC), a program of the Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), is now open at www.cstl.org/nspc. Last year the competition drew teams from 38 Long Island high schools, and 50 prize winners shared $80,000 in score-based awards.
Created to foster interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs, applications for the 2020 competition must be received by no later than 12 p.m. on April 30. A $25 non-refundable registration fee per team applies to all entries. The NSPC HSC is available exclusively to high school teams in Nassau and Suffolk counties. The competition’s finals will be held on Wednesday, May 27.
Health and science careers are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that health care-related occupations are expected to generate 2.3 million new jobs through 2024, representing faster employment growth than any other industry.
“As leaders in the medical profession, we must focus on inspiring and motivating young people to take interest in STEM education and pursue careers in health and science,” Michael H. Brisman, an attending neurosurgeon and CEO of Neurological Surgery, P.C., said. “This is especially important with the high demand for health care and medical science positions, locally and nationally.”
Student teams will be judged in one of five categories, including behavioral sciences; biology, medicine/health; biology, microbiology/genetics; health-related biochemistry/biophysics; as well as bioengineering, computational biology.
The five first-place winners in last year’s competition were Feyi Rufai, of Roslyn High School, in the behavioral sciences category; Alessi Demir, of Manhasset High School, in the biology: medicine/health category; Michael Lawes, of Elmont Memorial High School, in the biology: microbiology/genetics category; Jason Sitt, of Lynbrook Senior High School, in the health-related biochemistry and biophysics category and Christopher Lu, of Great Neck North High School, in the bioengineering and computational biology category.
Each winner received a $5,500 prize. The exact breakdown of prizes can be found at www.cstl.org/nspc/hsc-prizes.
“The young people who were part of the first competition were brilliant and inspiring,” Brisman said. “Their understanding of medicine and health-related subjects was impressive. These students are exactly what we need to address the high demand of STEM, health science and health care-related jobs here on Long Island and across the nation. I believe the 2020 competition will further motivate both those who participate and others.”
For more information about the NSPC Health Science Competition (NSPC HSC), competition rules and deadlines, visit www.cstl.org/nspc or call 516-764-0045.
—Submitted by the Center for Science Teaching and Learning
