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This fund was created by Taconic IPA, whose mission is to provide the premier healthcare delivery network in the greater Hudson Valley, optimizing the value of medical services while maximizing physician satisfaction. Grants from this fund are awarded to secondary school science teachers to expand students' learning opportunities in the sciences through the acquisition of classroom and laboratory science equipment.
2008 Taconic IPA Science Education Grant Award Winners
2008 Grantees
Dutchess County
Deborah Beam
Red Hook High School
9th-12th grade Biology
Funds will be used to purchase probes that attach to TI calculators for students to collect data measuring temperature, heart rate and carbon dioxide. Approximately 500 students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Advanced Science classes will use the equipment to individually develop their own experiments from start to finish.
Donna Berstein
St. Mary – Fishkill
6th-8th grade Science
Five microscopes and five balances will be purchased to replace outdated and broken science equipment. More than 100 middle school students will become proficient in the use of this new equipment and work with elementary school children in grades 1-4 to teach the proper use of the microscope and balance.
Gregg Farris
Poughkeepsie Middle School
8th grade Science and Regents Living Environment
For students to be successful on the New York State Intermediate Level Science Performance Assessment, they must demonstrate proficiency in the use of the light microscope and in making accurate measurements of microscopic specimens. Currently 12-15 science teachers with more than 900 students share 29 microscopes, which severely limits the opportunities for students to access the equipment. With this grant, twelve new microscopes will be purchased.
Thaddeus Herman
John Jay Senior High School
11th and 12th grade
Two 8” Reflecting Dobsonian Telescopes will be purchased for a newly developed astronomy course being offered to approximately 150 11th and 12th grade students. The teachers who developed the curriculum plan to offer monthly observation sessions for students to truly gain an appreciation of the nature of astronomy. The telescope will be made available to the school’s astronomy club for public observation sessions and to earth science students as well.
Sharon Hicks
Bulkeley Middle School
7th grade Life Science
Five Stereomicroscopes will be purchased as part of a district wide campaign to improve the student-to-lab equipment ratio in all grades. Currently 100 7th grade students in four classes share one stereomicroscope and viewing time is limited. The purchase of these five stereomicroscopes will greatly improve the quality of the Life Science Lab course.
Jacob Lawrence
Arlington High School
9th-12th grade Regents Earth Science and Going Green elective course
As part of a new focus on alternative renewable energy sources, wind and solar energy kits will be purchased. More than 124 high school students will set up solar panels and build mini wind turbines, measure the electricity both generate, and use them to power electronic devices. In the Going Green elective course, 24 high school students will work with two 4th grade classes to perform hands-on solar and wind power experiments. Students will then see and understand the results of electricity generated by the larger solar panes on the top of the high school.
Nicholas Perino
Orchard View Alternative High School
9th-12th grade Biology, Marine Science, Practical Chemistry, Conceptual Physics
Funds will be used to purchase a Stereomicroscope. Approximately 75 at-risk students in the alternative high school program will use this equipment in various science courses during the school year in Biology, Marine Science, Practical Chemistry and Conceptual Physics. This equipment will promote student participation by having groups share with the class samples collected during field study by using the microscope in conjunction with a SMART Board.
Gwen Saylor
Poughkeepsie High School
High School Science, Mixed
Almost 1,000 students will utilize products from the Go-Link system by Vernier in conjunction with a variety of probes to collect data directly to a computer to be analyzed through Excel, LoggerPro and other software programs. Students will use the range of probes to engage in authentic science experiences. They will be able to pose a question about their surroundings and obtain real time data relating to possible variables in their own classroom. Confidence with technology driven data collection and analysis is the reality of the modern workplace. This project will help our students be successful in their future endeavors by increasing their familiarity with IT.
Orange County
Thomas Blon
Washingtonville High School
11th and 12th grade Regents and Advanced Placement Physics
An Orion SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope – 10 inch diameter Dobsonian Telescope with Celestial Locator will be purchased. This sturdy telescope has a computer database and positioning system that can instantly find 14,000 deep-sky objects (stars, galaxies, nebulas) as well as the Moon, comets and planets in our solar system. This telescope will bring the visible universe to the district learning community, which includes 1,000 students, their families, teachers, and other interested residents.
Pamela Iacovella 10th–12th grade Regents and Advanced Placement Chemistry
Adelia Massari, 9th and 10th grade Living Environment and Lab, SAT II Biology
Washingtonville High School
A SMART Board and LCD projector will be purchased for four teachers to use with more than 450 students. The use of the technology will enrich the curriculum with real life examples of the science being taught through the use of items such as video clips and great biological animations. The forensic science classes will be able to view and analyze real evidence from crime scenes.
Ulster County
Patrick Dechon
Ellenville High School
9th-12th grade Biology and Physics
Approximately 220 students will benefit from the purchase of a Vernier LabQuest along with the LabQuest Environmental Science Starter Package. The package contains an array of sensors and probes to measure and test atmospheric, water and soil conditions. Students will use this equipment to enhance an ongoing monitoring project of their village’s watershed.
Christine Marmo
Kingston High School
10th-12th grade Chemistry and Chemistry for Artists
Funds will be used to purchase four 150 watt Chromalux bulbs and four full spectrum Chromalux 5000K fluorescent tubes to be used by 100 students in chemistry and art classes. In the Chemistry for Artists course, a photography unit is taught and students are asked to create cyanotypes which is one of the earliest forms of photography. These bulbs will obviate “chasing the sun”, as these lights provide the proper wavelengths, thus allowing students and teachers to concentrate on the technique and science of this early form of photography.
2007 Grantees | 
