Recent East Northport Middle School graduate Maxwell DeBrino proudly represented the district and received honorable mention at the New York State Science Congress on June 3. The young scientist also recently earned his second Broadcom MASTERS invitation based on his first place win in the junior division of the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.
DeBrino’s project titled, “Feeding Frenzy: The Effect of Position, Shape and Ultraviolet Color on the Feeding Behavior of Backyard Birds,” focused on the impact of color, shape and position on a bird feeder in relation to the feeding behavior of birds commonly found in the Northeast. He conducted his research from August to October 2016 and competed in the Long Island Science Congress where he received high honors for his project and second place in the biology category. As a result, DeBrino was presented with a nomination to participate in the NYS Science Congress.
In addition, he attended the regional LISEF Broadcom MASTERS competition in March 2016 where he placed among the top 10% of sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who were nominated across the country to participate. Based on his high score, both he and his sister Isabella DeBrino, were selected as National Broadcom MASTERS semifinalists in September 2016.
DeBrino received his second invitation to the National Broadcom MASTERS after earning first place in the junior division of the 2017 Long Island Science and Engineering Fair. He submitted his application to participate in the national competition once again and will find out in September if he is chosen as a semifinalist.
Upon hearing the news that he was invited back, DeBrino was excited.
“It’s a great experience,” he said. “It will help me progress in my science experiments so I can learn new things to try.”
In the future, DeBrino hopes to become an ornithologist, where he can further his study on birds. He plans to one day create a program where he can incorporate the ultraviolet coloring of a natural habitat into a rehabilitation program to help birds’ brains so that when they are released back into the wild, they have a better chance of survival. As for high school next year, DeBrino is looking forward to the change in classes and expanding his interest in biology.