Meaghan Campbell, a senior in the MacArthur High School Science Research Program, was invited to present her original research at the 97th Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) Annual Conference in Boston, Massachusetts on February 27th and 28th. As one of only 3 high school students selected to participate in this professional forum, Meaghan joined leading psychologists, clinicians, and university researchers to share her findings. Her study, titled "CONFORMITY AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH A VIRTUAL SETTING," examined how online social pressure affects high school students, finding that while underclassmen conformed more than older students, gender and personality had no impact, and overall conformity was lower than expected.

The selection highlights the rigorous academic standards of the MacArthur Science Research Program, which encourages students to tackle real world problems. "Meaghan's dedication to her project and her ability to navigate the intricacies of psychological data are remarkable," said her advisor Dr. Friedman. "As digital landscapes increasingly become a part of teen identity, investigating online conformity is vital and timely," said research teacher Mr. Zausin. Her presentation at the EPA conference not only serves as a capstone to her high school career but also underscores her potential as a future leader in the STEM field. "As I plan to major in neuroscience and behavior next year at Vassar, it was an amazing opportunity to learn about the wide range of ongoing psychology and neurobiology projects. Having the chance to talk and listen to professionals in my future field was such a valuable experience."