Taconic IPA Science Education Grants

Grants are awarded to secondary school science teachers in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties to expand students' learning opportunities in the sciences through the acquisition of classroom and laboratory science equipment.  This equipment could include microscopes, temperature probes, light probes, computer-related equipment and software, and other laboratory tools. 

2007 Taconic IPA Science Education Grant Award Winners

2007 Grantees

Dutchess County

Gregg Farris
Poughkeepsie Middle School
8^th grade Science/Honors Living Environment

Currently ten science teachers use 17 microscopes to teach 1000 students.  Ten additional microscopes will be purchased.

Elyse Joy
Orville A. Todd Middle School
7^th grade Life Science

Funds to purchase a digital microscope, blood typing kit, DNA model kits, and a DNA isolation lab so students in two different classes, of two different schools.  Approximately 150 seventh grade students will use the equipment and an additional 200-300 students will be given the data acquired for classroom to classroom collaborations.

Glen Morris
Rombout Middle School
8^th grade Science

A weather monitoring station will be purchased to allow 900 middle school students to report the weather at their school and participate in nationally sponsored student weather programs. 

Glen Morris
Rombout Middle School
8^th grade Science

Funds will be used to purchase two handheld GPS units to allow students to better understand topography and topographical maps better, rather than visualize from worksheets and fictitious data.

Gwen Saylor
Poughkeepsie High School
Physics, Conceptual and Regents Level

Motion carts, rotational stools, bathroom scales and speed detectors will be used to allow 80 students to actively participate in the study of Newton’s Laws.

Orange County

Melanie Belgiovene
Valley Central Middle School
8^th grade Physical Science

Funds will be used to purchase six special light projectors to teach 400 students the concept of different aspects of light travel.

Ulster County

Patrick Dechon
Ellenville High School
9^th-12^th grade Biology & Physics

Vernier equipment with motion-sensors that interface with computers to teach 125 students the study of motion will be purchased.

Christine Guarino
Highland High School
10^th grade Biology, 11^th & 12^th grade Field Ecology/Environmental Science

Grant will be used to implement the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s “Trout in the Classroom” program for 300-350 students.

James Starr
Kingston High School
Regents, Honors Regents and AP Chemistry

Grant will be used to purchase a Vernier Lab Pro Standard package with sensors for temperature, pH, gas pressure and other features.  Fifty-five students will use the graphing program to show the relationship between measured values and interpret their results.