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It’s challenging enough for high school students who participate in the Science Research program to stand up and present their complex projects at science fairs and competitions. Imagine, then, the exciting challenge faced by three Pleasantville High School students who recently traveled to France and presented their work entirely in French.
PHS juniors Eli Neilson-Papish, Sebastian Vidra, and Camilla Zabidkhodjaeva traveled to Sète, France in late April to present their Science Research projects at the Sèt’Expo Science. Accompanying them were science teacher Christine Pallotta and French teacher Deborah Hurdis, who provided guidance and support throughout the journey.
Pleasantville’s participation in the expo stems from a collaboration between Paul Borrel, president of Sèt’Expo Science, and Jurij Parasczak. Parasczak, a Pleasantville resident and mentor for Science Research students at PHS, worked at IBM Research with Borrel. They then facilitated the exchange between Lycée Joliot-Curie in Sète and PHS, making this international academic experience possible.
The focus of this partnership is both a cultural and STEM information exchange. The PHS student projects centered around creating a resilient environment, with presentations on a composting monitor system, an assessment of PHS's energy use with a proposal to replace it with photovoltaic solar panels, and the creation of a dye-sensitized solar cell.
The expo was held from April 25 to April 27. Prior to the event, PHS students enjoyed a variety of language and cultural classes and activities that included a day at the Lycée Joliot-Curie, where they attended French philosophy, English, and physics classes, gaining valuable insights into the educational similarities and differences between the two countries.
Prior to the expo, students from Sète and Pleasantville engaged in Zoom conversations to build rapport. One memorable session included the PHS intercom announcing the Pledge of Allegiance, which sparked a dialogue on the differences between schools in France and the U.S.
To deepen the cultural exchange, PHS students were hosted by Sète students in their homes. Camilla described this as an unparalleled experience that she hopes will continue for future PHS students. Sebastian noted that living with host families provided unique insights and challenged previous assumptions.
Differences in each country’s approach to various topics, including environmentalism and education, were frequent conversation topics during the trip. Camilla observed that France requires everyone to recycle, with effective methods in place to ensure compliance. Sebastian noticed that French students have fewer extracurricular activities compared to their American counterparts. Eli pointed out that the French education system is less test-based and involves more hands-on learning.
The three PHS students agreed on the pros and cons of the two education systems. They noted that, while the French system benefits those with clear vocational interests, it offers less flexibility for undecided students. "Being undecided," one student remarked, "is not an option."
Deborah Hurdis expressed her pride in the students' performance during an interview with a Sète media outlet, where they discussed their topics entirely in French. "They held their own speaking in French about the complex subject matters they were researching," she said.
Christine Pallotta added, “The dedication and adaptability our students showed was remarkable. They embraced every challenge, from presenting their projects to engaging with their host families.”
Camilla, Eli, and Sebastian all agreed that one of the trip's most significant challenges was the mental exhaustion from speaking in French all day and continuing conversations in French with their host families. Despite the fatigue, they all agree that the experience was invaluable. The PHS students expressed hope to host their Sète counterparts in the fall, as part of the ongoing exchange program.
This trip not only highlighted the students' academic achievements but also deepened their understanding of different cultural and educational systems, fostering a global perspective that will benefit them in their future endeavors.
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