Friday, April 8th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science high school ‘future scientists,’ Miguel Mathis and Makayla McMullen receive an opportunity of a lifetime when their project about Microbial Fuel Cells was the only one selected to attend and present their research at the CNY Energy Symposium.

Lab partners, Mathis and McMullen, have been working on their Microbial Fuel Cells to develop portable electricity using dirty and recyclable materials. Throughout the symposium, students met and networked with companies and scientists worldwide and attended workshops.

The highlight of this experience for Miguel and Makayla was the opportunity to meet many distinguished scientists, learn about their work, and hear about their attitudes towards life.

Congratulations, Miguel and Makayla, on being selected to participate in the CNY Energy Symposium. This is an incredible honor, and we are all very proud of you!

Monday, May 9th, 2022—Out of 1,748 participants, Syracuse Academy of Science high school student Miguel Mathis took home 3^rd place, and a $1,000 award from the Arconic Foundation for innovation in sustainable design or material science at Society for Science's Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Atlanta, Georgia!

Miguel's project was about Microbial Fuel Cells and how we can build them sustainably to generate electricity from bacteria and treat wastewater. 

Throughout ISEF, Miguel met and networked with companies and scientists worldwide. Without the support, encouragement, and drive to work hard from family, friends, teachers, and lab partner Makayla McMullen, this wouldn't be possible.

Congratulations, Miguel; we are very proud of you and all you have accomplished!

Saturday, June 4th, 2022—The Syracuse Academy of Science high school Atoms never ‘cracked’ under pressure when participating in the MOST’s annual Rocket Team Challenge held at Syracuse University's Skytop Field.

This STEM competition has the Junior Division (grades 4-8) and Senior Division (grades 9-12). To compete, the teams must design and assemble a model rocket kit provided by the MOST. Upon submittal of their rocket, each team is judged on the following criteria:

• Quality of their construction
• Knowledge of the subject
• How well they estimated their trajectory
• Survival of their 'eggstronaut'

Awards are given to the top 4 highest scoring teams in each division, and the team who had the rocket fly the highest, land the farthest and closest to the launch site, had the best team name, etc.

Congratulations to the Atoms for finishing 15^th out of 38 teams.

Saturday, May 28th, 2022—Over the last few months, the Syracuse Academy of Science high school's Congressional Awards students have been busy at work exploring the great outdoors and seeing what Central New York has to offer in efforts to complete their exploration requirement.

For this requirement, students are to plan and lead a trip that allows them to be immersed in an unfamiliar environment or culture. During their journey, students must complete 6-8 hours of immersive activities per day to earn a day toward this requirement.

Syracuse Academy of Science high school, Congressional Awards students visited Niagara Falls, Rochester, and the Adirondacks to fulfill this exploration requirement. When visiting Rochester, the Atoms walked by the Genesee River, explored the downtown area, and saw the High Falls. Over Memorial Day weekend, students spend time in the Adirondacks camping, swimming at Golden Beach Campground (a first for many students), and hiking up on the Blue Mountain.

We want to thank Mr. Serkan for his help and support in arranging the Adirondack trip for the students. For many of the students, this was their first-time-ever camping, and they are appreciative of gaining this important life skill and having this opportunity. In addition, we want to thank Superintendent Dr. Hayali, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Hahn for their leadership and guidance in introducing and supporting this honorary program at Syracuse Academy of Science high school.

Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view additional pictures from the Syracuse Academy of Science high school Congressional Awards students’ exploration trips.

Friday, May 20th, 2022—School is still in session, but it's hard not to start thinking about summer with the warm weather like today! In fact, Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school has already begun its annual 'Countdown to Summer' event. Each Friday, Atoms will have a chance to participate in Spirit Day themes like Favorite Color accessory, Crazy Hair Day, Funky Frames, and Silly Socks.

Below are the upcoming Spirit Day Themes as Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school continues its 'Fun Friday,' Countdown to Summer event.

• June 10th: Hat Day
• June 17th: Bright/Neon Accessory Day
• June 24th: Sunglasses for Summer

Please click here to view additional pictures from the Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school's Countdown to Summer event, and stay tuned for additional Fun Friday pictures.

Friday, May 27th, 2022—Teamwork makes the dream work at Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school! Throughout May, Atoms learned about the character trait of teamwork. Students learned that teamwork is the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient.

Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school celebrated the students who demonstrated the character trait of teamwork at its Students of the Month ceremony. We want to congratulate our Atoms on showing what it means to be a great teammate, demonstrating the character trait of teamwork, and being May's Students of the Month! Congratulations, Atoms; keep up the great work.

Click here to view additional pictures from Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school’s May’s Students of the Month ceremony. Tune in each month as we share and celebrate the students selected for our monthly Students of the Month celebration.

Wednesday, June 1st, 2022—Summer Vacation is right around the corner. Have you thought about how you'll be saving this summer? Will it be $1, $10, or more?

Remember, Syracuse Academy of Science middle school Atoms, that when you earn or receive money over the summer, make sure you save some of it. You can always stop by any Empower Federal Credit Union branch and put it in your Dollar Dog account (like you would do with the in-school banking program). When visiting any of the Empower Federal Credit Union branches, you'll have a chance to see what the credit union looks like, try out the coin counting machine, and receive a reward for saving!

If your child is interested in becoming a Dollar Dog saver, please contact Lauri Hoover at (315) 728-3474 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Membership eligibility required. The National Credit Union Administration federally insures Empower Federal Credit Union.

Friday, May 13th, 2022—"The whole place was dressed to the nines, and we were dancing like we're made of starlight." — Taylor Swift, "Starlight."

Syracuse Academy of Science high school seniors and juniors enjoyed an evening to remember at the Links at Erie Village for their annual Senior Ball. An evening that many of the upperclassmen look forward to and count down the days until it arrives. A night where everyone dresses from head to toe in glitz and glam and looks like royalty. From stretch limos to Slingshots to a night spent with friends, this is one of the many high school memories that the Atoms will cherish for a lifetime.

Congratulations to the Prom King Illyn McLaurin, Prom Queen J’Vionna Baker, Prom Prince Eliane Quiles and Prom Princess Janet Ginarte.

We invite you to please click here to view pictures and coverage of the event from Syracuse.com. Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view additional images from the Syracuse Academy of Science high school's Senior Ball.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2022—It's time to 'strike up the band' with Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school's first-grade students in Ms. Dickinson's class. As part of their monthly family project, students and their families put their creativity to the test when making homemade musical instruments that represented cultures celebrated in their family. To construct their musical instruments, Atoms and their families could use any items found around their homes. Some of these instruments created include guitars, maracas, and harps! Rock on, Atoms, and keep up the great work!

Saturday, May 15th, 2022—SANY Superintendent Dr. Tolga Hayali was honored and celebrated as one of United Way's 100 Heroes. Individuals who aligned with the mission of the United Way and were in healthcare, education, financial stability, volunteerism, advocacy, and leadership were selected.

Over the past six weeks, the United Way released its heroes and shared how each person has impacted the Mohawk Valley community. Dr. Hayali was one of the fifteen education and childcare heroes.

United Way presented each hero with a certificate of acknowledgment and appreciation for their part in the project and a small gift to celebrate each hero. The heroes and their guests met other honored individuals who have made a difference in the Mohawk Valley community.

Congratulations, Dr. Hayali; thank you for all you have done and continue to do to help serve and educate children in Syracuse and Utica. Your hard work, leadership, and tremendous efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for helping make all the difference in the world. We are Many Atoms, One Family!

We invite you to please click here to read the full article about the United Way's 100 Heroes.