An Unqua Elementary School student has taken her work for the Massapequa School District’s annual Science Discovery Fair and is using it to make a difference in the world. Gia Providente, a fourth grader, designed signs to help protect diamondback terrapins, a type of turtle that lives in the South Shore waters, and recently earned a national award for her efforts.
Following the March 2025 science fair, when Gia was a third grader, she made a connection with Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and her signs were placed at two bayfront parks in Massapequa. The yellow, diamond signs with black lettering say “Go Slow, Terrapins Below” to help save the endangered species that is often the victim of boat strikes. Gia had noticed signs on the North Shore along the beach about terrapins and their nesting areas, but none on the South Shore.
For Gia’s efforts, she was named a winner of the 2025 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders from across the country who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities and the environment. Eight years old at the time she submitted her entry, Gia was by far the youngest of the recipients, who mostly ranged from 14 to 17.
“It feels really good, because I’m actually helping to save the animal,” Gia said about receiving the award. “I feel really happy and excited that I made a difference. I wasn’t doing this just for the science fair, I actually wanted to protect the species. I’ve learned that by being brave and using my voice, I can stand up for our environment.”
Gia has been participating in the district’s Science Discovery Fair for since first grade and has been a grade-level winner each year. She enjoys the science fair because she can explore topics of interest, loves creating a large posterboard with her findings and gets to see the work of other students. Gia already is planning her project for the 2026 fair, but is keeping the topic a secret for now.
Katie Fasano, the district’s elementary supervisor of STEM, is extremely proud of Gia for taking her project beyond the science fair.
“It’s impressive that she took our forum of the district’s Science Discovery Fair and turned it into an effort to solve a real-world problem in our community,” Ms. Fasano said. “The goal of science is to solve problems, and Gia embodies the mindset and determination of a successful scientist.”