Syndi Barish of Kings Park in Finals of Statewide School Science Competition

2010 Jun 2

Syndi Barish of Kings Park will compete in the finals of the 2010 STANYS Science Congress Saturday, June 12, at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Barish, who is in the 10th grade at Kings Park High School in Kings Park, is one of 42 middle and high schoolers who will demonstrate their knowledge and compete for prizes in the annual science competition.

The State Science Congress, sponsored by the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS), will be held in The College of Saint Rose Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Ave., Albany. From 9 a.m. until noon, all 42 finalists will present their research to teams of judges from the scientific, technological and academic communities of the Capital Region. All of the entries will be on display for public viewing starting at noon. Winners will be announced at a dinner and ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Carl E. Touhey Forum in the Lally School of Education. Cash prizes of up to $1000 and gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to three students in each of two age divisions. In addition, special awards will include $500 from the New York State United Teachers and books from publishers John Wiley & Sons and Pearson Higher Education. All participants will receive certificates.

The STANYS State Science Congress was established in 1950 as a means to stimulate interest and proficiency in the sciences. Regional science fairs are encouraged in STANYS sections across the state. Students with outstanding projects are selected to participate in the state level event held at a host institution in late May or early June. The statewide competition is open to students in grades 6 through 12. The young scientists and engineers present their research orally to judges, community observers and other students in a lecture format. They are judged on the quality of their work, as revealed by their written and oral presentations. Judging criteria include creative ability, scientific thought or engineering goals, thoroughness and clarity.

STANYS is New York's oldest and most respected professional organization of science educators. Promoting excellence in science education, STANYS' mission is to work with educators and communities to provide opportunities for all students to participate in and learn science.

The STANYS State Science Congress is one of several initiatives in which Saint Rose is involved related to improving the state of science education. In response to what is considered to be one of the most pressing issues on the national education agenda, Saint Rose established its Institute for Science and Mathematics Education in 2006. The institute's goal is to improve instruction in science and mathematics at all levels of the education system and develop innovative curricular programs in science and mathematics education. The institute also provides a platform for coordinating and leveraging the Capital Region's resources and programs and conducts research into new learning strategies and ways to help students understand mathematics and science.

On the Web: www.strose.edu

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