A summer research project has sparked a potentially lifelong interest for Wantagh High School junior Damien Crowley, who has found a passion in environmental and ecological studies.

Damien did a summer internship with Vesta, a Hamptons-based organization that is devoted to carbon-removing shoreline protection. Once a week, Damien spent a full day in Southampton at the North Sea Beach Colony. He was part of a student team that studied sediment transport between low-energy bay areas against a high-energy ocean environment. Damien and a peer from South Side High School in Rockville Centre supported a larger research project on the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels on the bays. 

The goal of the research was to see the effects of mixing beach sand with olivine, a green mineral that can remove carbon dioxide. The student-interns assessed the transportation and sorting of olivine using grain-size analysis. They spent time both on the beach collecting samples and in a lab at Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus doing data analysis. Damien noted the support of Dr. Chloe Leach, a senior research specialist with Vesta, throughout the project. 

“This was a really good opportunity that I’m really lucky to have gotten,” Damien said. “I was introduced to a new field of science and it’s something that I really like.”

In April, Damien was a volunteer at the WAC Lighting Foundation Invitational Science Fair, and made connections with researchers that led to the summer internship. This year, he enrolled in Wantagh High School’s afterschool science research program and is using his data for his project, which he hopes to enter into several regional science competitions such as the Long Island Science and Engineering Fair.  

Since his days at Wantagh Elementary School, Damien has enjoyed science and his interest has grown through higher-level courses. This year he is enrolled in Advanced Placement Physics and has previously taken AP Biology, Honors Chemistry and Living Environment/AP Environmental Science. He is also accelerated in math, having taking algebra in seventh grade, a class most students take as freshmen. This year, he is in Calculus BC, a course normally reserved for seniors. Additionally, he is taking the AP Research class this year as he pursues and AP Capstone diploma. 

Being accelerated in math, Damien explained, helped him tremendously on his sediment transport science research project, which requires extensive statistical analysis. 

In addition to taking some of the most challenging courses the school has to offer, he is heavily involved in extracurricular activities. Damien is president of the Wantagh Animal Rights and Recycling Club, vice president for community and school service for Future Business Leaders of America and team leader for Warriors for a Cure to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is a member of the Key Club, Mathletes and Science Olympiad and has played varsity soccer since ninth grade.

Principal Dr. Paul Guzzone said the school is extremely proud of Damien for his work both in school and in the community. It is rewarding for him to see a student seek out both learning and service opportunities. 

“He is extremely self-motivated,” Dr. Guzzone said. “Damien is a great model for people to look to in our building. He is extremely well-balanced and well-rounded.”