On December 7, Questar III BOCES honored the first cohort of teachers and scientists from its Summer Science Research Program.
More than 50 educators, scientists, researchers and others attended an evening recognition program, which honored individuals that worked together the past two summers.
Questar III District Superintendent Dr. Gladys I. Cruz welcomed special guests and presented awards along with State Assemblyman John McDonald III and State Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin.
The program also featured Dr. Samuel Silverstein, creator of the Science Fellows Program based at Columbia University. Questar III developed its program based on Dr. Silverstein’s work over the past 25 years.
“You know, nothing can convince a kid that you’re for real, than being for real. And you are all for real,” Silverstein said. “You’ve figured out how to make this a successful adventure, and I congratulate you.”
Dr. Phillip Ortiz, the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate and STEM Education at The State University of New York, praised the program.
“This is truly an amazing program that Dr. Silverstein has founded. I think it’s an incredible opportunity for teachers to live what they do. They’re engaging in the research project, they’re engaging in authentic learning, authentic investigation, and in the process developing a lesson plan that they bring to their students,” Ortiz said.
Hoosick Falls CSD Superintendent Ken Facin, who serves on APPR, Common Core, Leadership and Professional Development Superintendents’ Sub-Committee that created the program, discussed the value of the program from a school leader’s perspective.
“We spend tens of millions of dollars developing teachers in this country, and this state, and a lot of those programs do not have measureable outcomes. The efficacy of this program is proven by Dr. Silverstein. It’s really exciting to see professional learning dollars being spent that has a direct impact on student achievement.”
Questar III will begin accepting applications for its next cohort of teachers in the coming weeks. Visit our website for more information.
2014-2015 Cohort (Year 2)
Teachers:
Deborah Mabey, Hoosick Falls CSD
Kaitlin McGann, Schodack CSD
Nicole Mantas, Lansingburgh CSD
Nathan Porter, Schodack CSD
Rebecca Tennyson, Brittonkill CSD
Scientists:
Dr. Michael Carpenter, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Dr. Laura Kramer, The Wadsworth Center
Dr. Mary Krenceski, Momentive Chemical
Dr. Shaker Mousa, Albany College of Pharmacy
Dr. Maxsim Royzen, University at Albany
2015-2016 Cohort (Year 1)
Teachers:
Thomas Guile- Coxsackie-Athens CSD
Justin Haviland, Troy CSD
Sean Higgins, Cairo-Durham CSD
Benjamin Long, New Lebanon CSD
Kate Sedlak, Catholic Central High School
Kara Sokolowski, New Lebanon CSD
Ashley Woitkoski, Lansingburgh CSD
Scientists:
Dr. Serge Oktyabrsky, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Dr. Joan Curcio, The Wadsworth Center
Dr. Bruce Watson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Morgan Schaller, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. K. Kannan- The Wadsworth Center
Dr. Ellen Braun-Howland, The Wadsworth Center
Dr. Richard Relyea, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
