Saturday, April 5th, 2025: The Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School STEAM Club has been busy exploring, creating, and learning during their recent Saturday sessions at The MOST!

Our Atoms participated in hands-on learning experiences at the Future Women in STEM event with Cornell Cooperative Extension and NewsChannel 9. Students explored weather and erosion, created their own “storm in a jar,” and examined how various soil types react to precipitation.

The learning didn’t stop there! During the Future Innovators program, students launched into rocket science by designing and building paper and straw rockets. They tested their designs for distance and accuracy, and the results were out of this world!

A special shoutout goes to JaVahe for achieving the longest flight and Kelaya for the most accurate rocket—she even landed hers in a bucket!

We are so proud of our STEAM scholars for embracing science, technology, engineering, art, and math with enthusiasm and creativity.

Saturday, March 15th, 2025: The Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School Atoms Adventure Club kicked off their first Spring 2025 outing with a trip to Beaver Lake! Students and their families joined Ms. Cahalan for a scenic hike around the lake, where they observed wildlife and took in the beauty of the natural world.

This outdoor adventure perfectly supported the club’s mission: cultivating a mindful connection between nature and well-being. By unplugging and spending time in nature, students could reflect, recharge, and appreciate the world around them.

Thank you, Ms. Cahalan, for inspiring our Atoms to be one with nature and promoting the importance of mental and physical wellness through outdoor exploration.

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025: An inspiring day of discovery, learning, and envisioning the future!

Several Syracuse Academy of Science High School students joined Mr. Kovar and Mr. Aslan on a college visit to Alfred University. This campus tour allowed our Atoms to explore academic buildings, engage with the university environment, and experience college life.

The visit was filled with valuable insights and meaningful moments, from walking through lecture halls to learning more about academic programs and student life. For many students, it was an inspiring experience that helped them envision their futures beyond high school and better understand the paths available to them.

At SAS, we are committed to exposing our students to higher education opportunities and encouraging them to set ambitious goals. This visit to Alfred University is just one of the many ways we help prepare our Atoms for college, career, and beyond.

We’re so proud of our students for taking this step toward their future—and grateful to Alfred University for the warm welcome!

Wednesday, March 19th, 2025: Kindergarten through 2nd-grade students at Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School got a special visit from Empower Federal Credit Union—and their beloved mascot, Dollar Dog!

The visit started with a fun, energetic dance party that got everyone moving and smiling. But the excitement didn’t stop there—students were thrilled when Dollar Dog appeared!

During the visit, students learned the basics of financial literacy, focusing on spending, saving, and sharing money. Empower’s engaging and age-appropriate lesson helped young learners understand the importance of smart money habits early on.

Families are reminded that Dollar Dog Days happen every other Wednesday. If your child has an Empower account, they can bring money to school to make a deposit and begin building healthy saving habits.

Thank you to Empower Federal Credit Union for being such a supportive and engaging community partner. We look forward to the next Dollar Dog Day!

Tuesday, March 4th, 2025: Mrs. Swidowski’s 5th-grade social studies class began an exciting new unit on the United States government, focusing on the Legislative Branch.

To bring the lesson to life, Mrs. Swidowski encouraged students to think critically about real-world issues by asking them to come up with an idea they would like to see become law. From there, students explored the legislative process—learning how an idea transforms into a bill and, eventually, a law.

As part of the activity, each student wrote a mock letter to a government official, proposing their idea for a new bill. They explained the reasoning behind their chosen topic and how it would impact themselves, their families, and their communities. Proposed ideas ranged from free lunches for all and four-day school weeks to affordable housing for the homeless and increased support for veterans—just a few examples of the thoughtful and creative topics shared.

Once completed, students presented their letters to the class, showcasing their public speaking and persuasive writing skills.

It’s safe to say that Mrs. Swidowski’s classroom is full of bright young minds passionate about civic engagement—and perhaps even a few future lawmakers in the making!

Wednesday, March 5th, 2025: At Syracuse Academy of Science, sixth-grade scholars took their learning to the next level while reviewing the CST ELA practice test. Instead of just checking answers, students actively defended their choices, sharpening their critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Using whiteboards and a corner debate strategy, scholars stood by their answers, presented their reasoning, and even worked to persuade their classmates. This interactive approach helped them think deeper, articulate their ideas, and build confidence in their responses.

We are proud of our Atoms for embracing this challenge and strengthening their problem-solving skills. Keep up the great work!

Friday, March 28, 2025: Students in Ms. Cueto and Mrs. Walzcak's kindergarten class at Syracuse Academy of Science participated in a special activity to learn about Ramadan and its reflection, gratitude, and appreciation values.

Each student wrote something they were grateful for on a heart and placed it in a class gratitude jar. This hands-on activity helped students understand the importance of expressing thankfulness and recognizing the blessings in their lives, a key aspect of Ramadan.

Through this meaningful project, our young learners gained a deeper appreciation for gratitude and embraced the spirit of kindness and reflection that Ramadan encourages.

Sunday, March 30th, 2025: Science Fair winners from Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary, Middle, and High Schools proudly showcased their projects at the MOST CNY Science & Engineering Fair (CNYSEF).

Our Atoms presented their innovative projects to judges, explored incredible work from students across the region, and represented our school excellently.

Congratulations to our outstanding scholars:

SAS Elementary: Giavanna, Nova, Gwen, Mia, Wyatt, and Leah, thank you for participating! Special shoutout to Abigayle for receiving honors!

SAS Middle: Collin Miller and Evan Hernandez earned honorable mentions!

SAS High: Lester Gonzalez Mella, Elda Goodyear, Qua-Tiece Williams, Aamiran Ridha, Ghadeer Alomeri, Sueda Hayali, Kaelani DarDar, Adrianna Losurdo, and Micari Jackson received senior honors!

We are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work, creativity, and dedication to science. Way to go, Atoms!

Thursday, March 20th, 2025: Superheroes + Math = A Super Night at SAS Elementary!

Syracuse Academy of Elementary School transformed into a headquarters for superheroes in training during our exciting Superhero Math Night! Scholars and their families suited up for an action-packed, math-powered fun and adventure evening.

From decoding secret messages to solving fraction challenges, our young heroes tested their math skills. Families worked together on scavenger hunts, math fact masks, and interactive games designed to make problem-solving both thrilling and educational.

Math Night was more than just an evening of fun—it celebrated learning, teamwork, and the power of numbers! Thank you to all our superhero scholars and families for making this event a soaring success.

Monday, March 17th, 2025: Fifth-grade students in Mrs. Mead’s Syracuse Academy of Science math class started their geometry unit with an exciting hands-on activity—constructing robots using quadrilaterals!

Geometry can often confuse students, but Mrs. Mead found a way to make learning about four-sided figures engaging and interactive. Students explored the properties of quadrilaterals while designing and assembling their robot creations. This activity encouraged critical thinking and teamwork while reinforcing key math concepts. The activity strengthened their understanding of geometry and allowed them to showcase their artistic side.

By combining math and creativity, these young scholars gained a deeper appreciation for geometric concepts memorably and engagingly. We can't wait to see what they explore next in their math journey!

Stay tuned for more hands-on learning highlights from our Atoms!