St. Joseph School Receives $5,000 Grant for Science Center

CROTON FALLS—St. Joseph’s School in Croton Falls has been awarded a $5000 grant from Entergy, Inc. which will be used to create a Science, Technology and Math Center at the school. The award will be presented to representatives of the school on November 23, 2009. The grant, which will be part of an initial outlay of funds, will be used to purchase a demonstration desk as well as student lab desks, seating and upgraded storage facilities for the Center. The demonstration desk will be state of the art, allowing for connection to computer technology and the school’s Smart Board system to allow for computer-generated, interactive demonstrations and hands-on student lessons and projects.

The grant is the beginning of a two-year funding plan to enhance the school’s science program to better integrate curricular offerings in science, technology, and math for students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. While the math and science curricula are currently taught as both as independent and cross-curricular disciplines, the addition of the Center will enable students to more easily integrate technologies to their class work and science projects. In addition to restructuring the physical plant, the plan involves adding digital microscopes, a document camera, and additional learning aids such as measurement equipment and 3-D models. It is anticipated that at completion of the plan, the school will also be able to introduce engineering related components, particularly as part of the school’s participation in the Annual Tri-County Archdiocesan Science Fair. According to Mr. Hugh Keenan, the school’s principal, “Our goal with the Science Center is to expand the school’s science and math curriculum to incorporate STEM learning--Science, Technology, Engineering and Math as an interdisciplinary whole.” While the New York State middle school science curriculum focuses on Earth, Life and Physical sciences, there are opportunities to bring technology, math and engineering concepts into each. “The Center will better prepare our students for the rigors of math, science and engineering study in high school and college and—we hope for many students—in their chosen careers,” he added. Mrs. Catherine Both, who teaches math and science for the middle school students, is excited by the prospect of the new Center. “Students will be able to investigate matters in structured lab activities as well as on their own, since all the materials and equipment will be readily accessible to them. They will have more ‘hands on’ time not only to enrich and reinforce lessons, but also to learn more effectively as they step out of the role of student and into the role of the scientist. I’m thrilled!”

The $5000 grant is an “Open Grant,” which is one of several different philanthropic grants offered by Entergy, Inc. to local schools for science and education-related endeavors.

For more information about the grant, please contact Mr. Hugh Keenan, Principal.