Big Plans for Science Study in Huntington
The new school year has just started and David M. Casamento, the Huntington School District’s director of science and instructional technology is full of energy, ideas and plans to improve the programs he supervises.
Mr. Casamento is in his second year with the district and has been a visible presence in all eight school buildings and around town. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at Hofstra University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry in May 1989 and a Master of Arts in secondary education in August 1991. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in school district administration from SUNY Stony Brook.
“I am looking forward to another rewarding year here in Huntington,” Mr. Casamento said. “Last year the science program in the district flourished and I am hoping to continue the positive growth we made.”
A number of new initiatives are on the drawing board. “This year, I am hoping to implement outdoor learning centers at each of the primary schools,” Mr. Casamento said. “These learning centers, if developed, will be raised bed gardens. Students in grades K-3 will be responsible for planting and maintaining the gardens throughout the school year. The curriculum benefits of these gardens will be interdisciplinary and numerous.”
There is action at every grade level. For example, several new science book series will be piloted for second and third grades. “At the intermediate schools we will be working to identify a standard curriculum that will prepare our students for their science experiences in the middle school,” Mr. Casamento said.
Prior to coming to Huntington, Mr. Casamento taught Regents chemistry, honors chemistry, AP chemistry and AP biology at W. Tresper Clarke High School in Westbury from 1990 to 2005. He provided individualized tutoring, developed the AP biology and AP chemistry lab curriculums and advised Intel science competition semi-finalists.
In December 1994, Mr. Casamento completed an administrative internship at Clarke High School. He became director of science in the North Babylon School District in February 2005, a post he held until coming to Huntington.
While he has big plans for the elementary level, Mr. Casamento has J. Taylor Finley Middle School and Huntington High School in his sights, too.
“Finley eighth grade Earth Science teachers will be modifying the advanced topics in science course to include competing in the National Science Olympiad,” Mr. Casamento said. “We already participate in this competition at the high school level and we believe that participation at the middle school level will not only help our high school team, but it will also provide an opportunity for our middle school students to compete in science against other students from around Long Island. This exposure to ‘real’ science will bring our science curriculum to life for these students. It is anticipated that this program will be extended to all students in the future.”
At Huntington High School, the National Science Honor Society chapter expects to be even more active as it starts its second year with an energized membership. There are plans to slightly change Trilogy Night in order “to involve more students and to make it more competitive and fun for everyone involved,” Mr. Casamento said about the evening that has become a staple on the annual calendar.
“Finally, it our hope that this year we will be working more closely with the Town of Huntington and Brookhaven National Labs to become more involved in the open space stewardship program,” Mr. Casamento said about another high school level initiative. “This is a program where students will learn to become good stewards for their local environment. Students will be responsible for collecting data and preparing for various local, state, and federal government agencies.”
When he sits back in his easy chair at night and reflects on the day, Dave Casamento always recalls that students of all ages are the overriding reason for his pursuit of such an ambitious agenda. “All of this will continue our movement toward Huntington becoming and maintaining its standing as a true science community,” he said.
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