Math-science magnet program expanded

In a novel partnership, several Nassau school districts have teamed up with Long Island businesses and the county’s Cradle of Aviation Museum to provide daily hands-on classes in math and science to more than 200 students, officials say.

The new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math  Magnet Academy program expands an existing magnet program between the Cradle of Aviation and the Westbury school district to include the Uniondale and Freeport school districts and Nassau BOCES. It is supported by the Long Island Forum for Technology and 18 Long Island-based aerospace and technology companies, County Executive Edward Mangano said in a news release.

Students will take physics, math and robotics classes in their own schools and then travel daily to the museum for on-site classes. Trips to the 18 STEM companies also are planned. The program has been expanded to include students from elementary and middle schools as well as high schools.

Officials say Westbury High School students in the existing magnet academy scored higher in state physics and chemistry Regents exams than students who were not enrolled in the program.

“This is an excellent example of Long Island’s academic and business communities joining together to help make a difference in the lives of our children,” Mangano said.

A Mangano spokeswoman said there is no cost to the county from the STEM academy.

“This is being funded by grants that the museum and the school districts are applying for,” she said.

 

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