The Nassau ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Center for Online Learning recently hosted the culminating event for the third year of the esteemed Students Soar with STEM Success grant. The grant, a five-year initiative funded by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), is dedicated to elevating teacher effectiveness, and fostering student achievement in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), in collaboration with Nassau ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ and New York Institute of Technology (NYIT).
The grant, created to empower over 100 K-8 educators annually, provided professional development by NYIT facilitators for 70 teachers from eight school districts during year three of the grant. Professional development opportunities are meticulously designed and tailored to the unique needs of participating school districts.
The grant focuses on advanced skills in computer science, engineering, and educational technology, equipping educators to guide their students towards success in higher education, careers, and active citizenship. The program uses a structured cohort-based professional development program, overseen by NYIT facilitators and complemented by a turnkey teacher model. Participants engage in immersive learning experiences to enhance their proficiency in computer science, engineering, and educational technology, thereby enriching the learning environment for their students.
The culminating event provided attendees with a firsthand look at the achievements of fellow grant participants, featuring insightful teacher presentations, dynamic demonstrations, and engaging breakout sessions. It served as a platform for collaborative discussions aimed at sustaining the momentum towards realizing the grant's overarching goals of empowering K-8 educators in the realms of computer science, engineering, and educational technology.
For more information about the Students Soar with STEM Success Grant and the Nassau ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Center for Online Learning, visit or contact Elisa Maggi at emaggi@nasboces.org.