NLCSD Wins State Award

by Thaddeus Flint
The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) has chosen the New Lebanon Central School District as one of three winners in its inaugural Be the Change for Kids Innovation Awards.
Out of 38 schools from 36 districts, New Lebanon, along with the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District and the Rondout Valley Central School District, was chosen by the NYSSBA and the University at Albany’s College of NanoScale Science & Engineering to receive $5,000 toward the continuation of its program. The programs were judged by scientists from NanoCollege.
[private]The New Lebanon School District was selected for its half year elective course called “Exploring Nanotechnology.” Students in the course constructed two Macro AFM-Atomic Force Microscopes on their own. The curriculum focuses on topics such as nanoscale measurement, core concepts and novel properties, detection and microscopy, nano timeline and discoveries, nanomaterials and composites, wet and dry nano-applications, semi-conductor industry and chip making, ethical issues and nano careers. Currently the operating budget for the program is only $600.
The students and teachers were invited to a tour of the Albany NanoTech campus on September 28, where Governor Cuomo’s Assistant Secretary For Higher Education, Lonnie Threatte, said, “These are programs that can be replicated in other districts throughout the State. In the Governor’s office, we really are looking to showcase programs like this.”
All 38 schools were recognized at the NYSBBA’s annual convention held last weekend in Rochester.[/private]