Below is an article, co-authored by PVRHSD Communication Interns Vin Coglianese and Drew Welsh, introducing their department spotlight project and sharing what they have learned regarding STEM.
This year, we (PVRHSD Communications Interns) have embarked on a new project highlighting each department within our district. For October, we shined a spotlight on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through posts on our social media channels. Throughout the month, we have explored classroom environments, highlighted new additions to the department, and had multiple social media posts showing many different features. We were able to sit down with supervisors Dr. Mark Russo and Ms. Megan Graziano to learn more about their departments.
In the Science & Technology Education departments this year, Supervisor Ms. Megan Graziano spoke about multiple new initiatives that will be going on throughout the school year. First, she shared about our new partnership with KidWind: a company that helps students investigate the science and technology of renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy. Ms. Graziano was also excited to discuss the upcoming STEM League competition. Led by Technology Education teachers Mr. Kennedy (Pascack Valley) and Mr. Ostrowski (Pascack Hills), the competition provides students an opportunity to put their skills to the test with a “real-world” style challenge. This year’s competition will be hosted at Pascack Valley this Spring.
Photo: Mr. Kennedy (left) working with students in the Engineering Suite
Ms. Graziano also shared with us the great working being done in our Research in Molecular Genetics courses. These classes conduct many different research projects and investigations. Within the Science department there are also multiple courses which offer dual enrollment programs such as our SUPA Forensic Science class where we partner with Syracuse University, and our Honors Engineering Design (I and II) class which partners with the University of Texas.
Photo: Students huddling around a lab table in Dr. Edelberg's Research in Molecular Genetics class conducting an experiment using DNA
Department Supervisor Dr. Mark Russo shared details about the Mathematics and Computer Science departments and what the PVRHSD community should be looking forward to the most. To start, there are several new opportunities in Computer Science courses, teaching students new perspectives of problem solving and providing guidance on how they can relate their focuses to the scientific and mathematical world.
Photo: A student in Mr. Koch's Math class working on her laptop and calculator to solve a problem
After several years of research and planning, Dr. Russo was pleased to share how the sequence of Algebra and Geometry has changed. Students entering the high schools at grade level as it relates to Mathematics will take Geometry their freshman year, Algebra I their Sophomore year, and Algebra II with Trigonometry their Junior year. In addition to this sequencing change, one of the math departments biggest focuses this year is on how we can create a new perception and crush the stereotypes of the typical math class.
Photo: Students in Mrs. Goodman's class collaborating at a board to solve problems
Throughout our first month, we have had many opportunities to learn more about STEM in our district, speaking with and seeing faculty and students in class. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed to showing the best parts of these two amazing departments!
Keep an eye out on our Social Media platforms as we enter November and will be covering our Business classes and Internship Program!
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