MANHASSET, NY -- A partnership between the New York State School Boards Association and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering of the University at Albany will create innovative local school programs that will help students gain 21st century learning and career skills in emerging fields such as nanotechnology.
NYSSBA and CNSE have teamed up to launch the “Be the Change for Kids Innovation Awards” to help foster science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs across the state. Schools will also be rewarded for programs that develop students’ creativity, critical thinking and civic responsibilities.
School districts will have to demonstrate how their programs allow other schools to adopt similar curriculum models, provide a lasting impact on students in the district and focus on career skills that are critical for New York’s emerging workforce.
Three school districts will be honored and each will receive $5,000. Students and staff from the award-winning programs will participate in tours and activities at CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex and be honored at NYSSBA’s Annual Convention in Rochester in October.
“CNSE is delighted to join with the New York State School Boards Association on an initiative that will ultimately encourage students to pursue educational and career paths in the fast-growing field of nanotechnology, giving New York an important competitive advantage in the global economy,” said CNSE senior vice president and CEO Alain Kaloyeros, in a statement.
“This forward-thinking partnership with the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering allows us to highlight local programs that are setting the stage for our children’s future successes in college, career and their communities,” said NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer.
Invitations have gone out to all school districts and BOCES districts in the state and award nominations will be accepted through June 15, 2012. The nominations will be reviewed by a statewide panel of judges, with the winners to be announced in September.
The UAlbany CNSE is dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. Its Albany NanoTech Complex has a fully-integrated, 300mm wafer facility, with an expansion underway, part of which will house a 450mm facility.
The New York State School Boards Association represents more than 650 school boards and more than 5,000 school board members in New York.
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