Questar III Summer STEM Research Institute
Offering educators unique workplace experiences that impact student learningThe Summer STEM Research Institute at Questar III BOCES provides an opportunity for secondary school teachers of science, math, engineering or technology to work for two summers under the mentorship of researchers or STEM industry professionals, participating in authentic scientific research or working in STEM businesses related to content they teach
“Educators need to be equipped. they need to understand their subject matter, yes, but how that matter applies to the growth of our economy, the growth of an individual, the contributions of an individual. This program does that”
Rep. Paul Tonko
“I would recommend this program to any and all teachers that want to infuse cutting edge real-life science experiences into their classroom to help inspire their students to pursue STEM careers”
Deb Mabey, Hoosick Falls Central School District
“Not only has this program been a great way to get some hands on experience and learn what’s actually being done out there in the scientific world , it also gives us a chance to change up our lessons and make them way more engaging and relevant”
Sam Ziebel, Troy City School District
Hear from teachers who have completed the two-year program about the impact it had on their teaching and their students’ learning:
In addition to the hands-on workplace experiences and engagement with STEM professionals, educators dedicate 1 day each week during the summer to share their experiences with SRI colleagues and collaborate to create lesson plans for their classrooms. The benefits are two-fold:
- Upon completion of the program, teachers have shared how these workplace experiences have exponentially increased their understanding of the modern STEM workplace and have impacted their classrooms in multiple ways, including changes in instructional practices, increased student engagement and higher levels of academic achievement.
- Students are introduced to curriculum that are based on real world, real time STEM workplace applications, learning how concepts in the classroom are relevant to research and STEM work resulting in increased student interest in STEM college and career pathways
Since its inception, the program has partnered with and/or received support from a variety of recognizable institutions including NYS Wadsworth Laboratories, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Poly and Albany College of Pharmacy as well as Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, IBM, Global Foundries, National Grid, the Center for Economic Growth, General Electric and Vicarious Visions.
And the program benefits go beyond these educators and their classrooms as the lesson plans created through these experiences are presented at education conferences statewide and around the country and are available here for colleagues to modify or introduce as is in their classrooms.
Would you like to learn more about this innovative STEM program?
Recent news about the STEM Research Institute
Summer 2021 Cohort
Jeff Abrey (1st year), Technology, Mohonasen CSD
STEMCycle
Matt Duff (3rd year), Technology, Averill Park CSD
Tech Valley Gaming Space
Tom Guile (3rd year), Technology, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
STEMCycle
Julie Higgins (1st year), Math, Guilderland CSD
Kitware
Shannon LaChance (2nd year), STEM, Catskill CSD
Hudson Valley Fisheries
Terry Miller (1st year), Math, Averill Park CSD
Tech Valley Gaming Space
Nate Porter (5th year), Physics, Schodack CSD
STEM Cycle
Brian Roeck (1st year), Math, Laurens CSD
STEM Cycle
Jennifer Starr (1st year), Chemistry, Green Island CSD
Norlite
Jeff Abrey (1st year), Technology, Mohonasen CSD
STEM Cycle
Matt Duff (3rd year), Technology, Averill Park CSD
Tech Valley Gaming Space
Tom Guile (3rd year), Technology, Coxsackie-Athens CSD
STEM Cycle
Julie Higgins (1st year), Math, Guilderland CSD
Kitware
Shannon LaChance (2nd year), STEM, Catskill CSD
Hudson Valley Fisheries
Terry Miller (1st year), Math, Averill Park CSD
Tech Valley Gaming Space
Nate Porter (5th year), Physics, Schodack CSD
STEM Cycle
Brian Roeck (1st year), Math, Laurens CSD
STEM Cycle
Jennifer Starr (1st year), Chemistry, Green Island CSD
Norlite
Our program is based on a highly successful 29-year program at Columbia University founded by Dr. Sam Silverstein. The Columbia program has significantly enhanced the interest and proficiency of students in the classrooms of participating teachers. Teachers in the Questar III program (STEM Fellows) who have completed the Institute consistently report the experience has significantly impacted their classrooms in multiple ways including changes in instructional practices, increased students engagement and higher levels of academic achievement. Watch this video from 2015 featuring Dr. Silverstein speaking on the history of the Columbia University program, and teachers and mentors from our program speaking about their experience: