The district was one of just three in the state to be
honored with the "Be the Change for Kids" Innovation Award by the New
York State School Boards Association and SUNY Polytechnic Institute. The
district received a $5,000 prize during an awards ceremony in Albany
for "Introducing Nanotechnology into the K-12 Science Curriculum," and
was recognized for continuing to promote innovative approaches to
programs related to science, technology, engineering and math. Along
with district administrators and staff, students attended the ceremony
and received a tour of the science research labs at SUNY Poly.
NYSSBA and SUNY Poly recognized Freeport as a leader in
advanced science studies after it became the first school district on
Long Island to have its proposal for the nanotechnology program approved
by the Center of Functional Nanomaterials at Brookhaven National
Laboratory. Among several benefits that will be realized as a result of
this program are that students will be better prepared for the
21st-century workforce because they will have been introduced to
nano-enabled lab activities. These activities will enable them to
synthesize nanoparticles and observe their teacher and BNL scientists
characterize them through internet-facilitated teleconferencing tools.
"Freeport Public Schools is proud to have earned the 'Be the
Change for Kids' Innovation Award," said Superintendent of Schools Dr.
Kishore Kuncham. "The partnership with Brookhaven National Laboratory
will provide our students with real-world experiences in the growing
field of nanotechnology, and enable them to explore college and career
paths in areas of advanced science research beyond the typical high
school classroom."