Huntington Considers Creation of STEM Magnet School
Always a leader in education since its founding as the first Union Free School District in New York State, the Huntington School District is considering blazing a new trail once again.
A delegation of five district officials recently journeyed to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Magnet School at Annie Fisher in Hartford, Connecticut and discussed their findings during the Huntington School Board's public meeting on October 22.
Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kenneth A. Card, Jr., Director of Math Marybeth Robinette, Huntington School Board President Emily Rogan and Trustee Tom DiGiacomo made the trek to the K-8 school that is filled with 358 students.
Huntington is now investigating the feasibility of creating a similarly themed program at Jack Abrams School on Lowndes Avenue in Huntington Station. The building is the youngest one in the Huntington School District, but has not been used for regular classes since the elementary grade levels were reorganized in July 2010.
"The idea is in its beginning stages," Mr. Polansky said. "We in the process of gathering information on and from successful STEM programs/schools, as there has been much attention given to the need for an increased focus on science, technology, engineering and math education in the United States, particularly in the younger grades.
"This provides us with a genuine opportunity to institute a valuable instructional program, while providing an attractive choice for parents and students," Mr. Polansky said. "It would also offer us the opportunity to make use of a building that is well suited to house such a program."
If the idea takes hold in Huntington, the ultimate goal would be to establish "a rigorous, engaging and inquiry-based program," Mr. Polansky said. "We have a building that is available, so the plan does include the idea of establishing this building as a STEM magnet, which would make it an attractive educational choice."
Should Huntington decide to move forward with the initiative, the district would begin with several primary/intermediate grade levels at the STEM school. Parents would be given the choice of keeping their child at their regularly assigned school building or placing them in the STEM school.
There are several hurdles the district would have to clear for the initiative to get off the ground, including the current financial constraints imposed by the state property tax cap.
"Part of the attraction associated with the STEM and magnet option is that there are some federal and private grants available to help defray start-up costs," Mr. Polansky said. "While we would like to consider the idea for next September, funding would factor into determining the timeline. We also wish to make certain that such an idea would be carefully planned and implemented, involving input from vested factions within the school community. This would play a role in determining the ultimate timeline as well."
Should Huntington establish the new program, the district would instantly become one of the leaders in the concept of STEM education. "Schools in this country are routinely criticized for not focusing enough attention or devoting enough time to STEM instruction and activities that promote inquiry, critical thinking and problem solving," Mr. Polansky said.
District executives are already investigating federal financing and grants that could facilitate creation of the new educational choice for parents and students. "We will be searching for opportunities to secure grants that will help us to address start-up costs and professional development for staff members," Mr. Polansky said.
Huntington's consideration of the STEM program developed through a series of conversations involving school officials over a period of months. Trustees intrigued by the idea of a specialized science, technology, engineering and math instruction as well as the magnet school concept. Of course, the school, should it be created, would also provide instruction in English, social studies and other areas of traditional education, but the curriculum's focus would be centered on the STEM concept.
STEM school students would still take all the state assessments that their peers in other schools around New York, "but the primary focus would be on authentic, high quality learning experiences," Mr. Polansky said.