Profiles in Education Spring edition is published by Anton Media Group.

PROFILES IN AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT • APRIL 20-26, 2022

The Value of Home Schooling PLUS

Syosset principal’s podcast series Staff misconduct E A S T E R N C O N N E C T I C U T S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Special • New York and New Jersey students can attend Eastern Tuition Rate for less than $30,000/year for New York • Go to college out of state without paying out-of-state tuition Students! • www.easternct.edu/tristate 228916 M Tuition Break 10 x 2.625 22.indd 1

3/14/22 8:14 AM

2B APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

WANT TO STAY CLOSE TO HOME?

COME TO

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE Begin your college search process at

SPRING OPEN HOUSE Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10 AM Tour our 72-acre campus and walk the path of a student and visualize your future with us as a Spartan!

Register for Spring Open House at www.stac.edu/open-house Did you know we’re SAT/ACT test-optional and offering Scholarships amounting to at least $50,000 over 4 years?

Come to Spring Open House and find out more!

125 Route 340 • Sparkill, NY 10976 • 845.398.4100 • WWW.STAC.EDU

230921 M

NYC Metropolitan Area (45 minutes from the heart of Manhattan)

PROFILES IN EDUCATION • APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 3B

High School Principal Sheds Light On College Admissions Process

BY CHRISTY HINKO specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

S

yosset High School Principal Dr. John Durante recently launched a podcast with the goal of providing information straight from college admissions professionals of top universities and colleges.

“I know that Syosset High School has a fabulous guidance department and the parents here are well-served, but I thought, ‘What if I did a podcast with college reps who would be willing to talk about their school, the entrance process, the essay, the application and more?’ ” he stated.

Through the podcast, named The College Admissions Process Podcast (The CAPP), students and parents can hear straight from the people who ultimately make the decisions, with insight and advice on every aspect of the college admissions process.

“Like most people, during the lockdown, we had to find things to do,” Durante said.

“One of my passions is the game of soccer; I love soccer and am a soccer coach.”

He wanted to learn more about coaching so he starting listening to soccer-related podcasts and attending Zoom sessions about the sport.

He had always been fascinated with podcasts.

“It is radio on-demand,” Durante said.

“With my schedule, I like listening to things about a specific topic that I like.”

Durante knew podcasts were the answer to a bigger question. He quickly realized what the need was and how he could address it.

Education—his own podcast specialty would be a no-brainer.

“I am a high school principal and I just went through the college process with not one, but two daughters, who are now a junior and a freshman in college,” Durante said.

He reached out to some of the college reps that he got to know well during his own college entrance journeys with his daughters.

“Seven of nine colleges that I approached with the idea said yes right away; they thought it was a fabulous idea,” Durante said. “I immediately thought ‘Holy cow, now I actually have to do my research because I had never really recorded or published a podcast.’ ” His drive to always learn something new, while also doing things the right way, proved successful in his launch.

Schools represented on the podcasts recorded to date include Cornell University, University of Michigan, Penn State, University of Florida, SUNY Geneseo, Michigan State, Iona College, Adelphi University, High Point University, Ohio State University, Sacred Heart University,

Schools are lining up to be featured on Dr. John Durante’s podcast.

Bucknell University and Syracuse University.

“You are getting top-quality information from the people who make the decisions without having to pay a penny,” Durante said.

Within the next couple of weeks, podcasts with SUNY Oswego, Boston College, University of Delaware, Muhlenberg

College, University of Arizona, Fairfield University, Susquehanna University and University at Albany will be released.

Dozens of colleges and universities are lined up to be feature on the podcast between now and July.

“I am all about helping people,” Durante said. “People are very stressed about the college application process.”

The CAPP has more than 2,500 subscribers. Most of the listeners are from New York, but Durante said that the analytics show listeners from every part of the country including Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix.

“By listening to the podcast, it’s going to prompt you to ask additional questions, higher-level questions so that when you meet the rep or go on a tour, you will have better questions to ask as opposed to ‘What’s the application deadline?’”

Durante, a Stony Brook University alum, has been the principal of Syosset High School for 12 years. He is also a member of the Stony Brook University Distributed Teacher and Leader Program Advisory Board. In 2016 he was named “Best Principal on Long Island” from the Bethpage Federal Credit Union and is also a recipient of the PTA Founders Day Award and Jenkins Award.

Durante started his career at Syosset High School in 1994 as a teacher of world languages.

Episodes are available every week and students and parents can send questions to be considered for future episodes to: collegeadmissionstalk@gmail.com.

The College Admissions Process Podcast is available anywhere you subscribe to podcasts (including Spotify, Apple. iHeart Radio, Google, etc.). You can also listen by visiting www.collegeadmissionstalk.com.

How To Homeschool

New book provides answers to commonly asked questions

BY ANTON MEDIA STAFF

explored the options for years and applied homeschooling methods based on nurturing children’s individual passions Homeschooling has surged in popularity, especially during the last couple of to help them learn much more than they would at school. They share the years, and is the fast-growing choice for methods they use in their new book, parents seeking an empowering How to Homeschool: A Guide for alternative to traditional Progressive Parents. classroom-based or online In it, Varella-Cid school learning. answers commonly asked But how can parents questions from new know if homeschooling homeschooling parents, is the right choice for explores the pros and their children? cons of free homeschoolAnd when they deing, examines what makes cide it is, how can they children smart, shares get a good understanding Miguel and Yoko seven steps to homeschoolof what methods of learning ing success and much more. may best suit their individuAlong the way, Varella-Cid introal children? duces fun and exciting ideas that he says “Most parents starting out homeswill open doors for rapid progress in chooling want to know the best methchildren. He uses many examples he and ods and how to avoid making classic his wife used with their own children to mistakes. The pitfalls can be many,” said Miguel Varella-Cid, who has successfully illustrate how their techniques facilitate a child’s individual passions and abilities homeschooled his two children. while helping the child attain fruitful Varella-Cid, and his wife, Yuko, have specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

academic progress.

“In a naturally enchanting and enjoyable environment, their learning cannot fail to thrive,” he added. “The contents of this book are up-to-date, refreshingly well written and researched, with poignant relevance to the many challenges parents are facing today.”

The Varella-Cids have created and gained much recognition in Japan for the unique homeschooling methods they have developed. He and his family regularly present at educational events.

The book is available at all major retailers.

Visit www. howtoho meschool. life to learn more.

4B APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

Suffolk Named Military Friendly School

S

uffolk County Community College has been named a 2022-23 military friendly school with a gold designation by Military Friendly after a comprehensive evaluation of the college’s services using both public data and responses from a proprietary survey the college completed. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2022-2023 survey with 665 earning special awards for going above the standard.

“Suffolk County Community College has a proud history of serving and assisting veterans and military connected pursue their educational goals,” said college President Dr. Edward Bonahue. “We are proud to support those who have served our country and we are proud to be named a military friendly school.”

Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to making the transition from military service to the classroom easier for veterans and to make higher education more accessible for service members and their families.

“Suffolk County Community College provides service members, veterans and military families with the flexibility and convenience needed to excel,” said Suffolk County Community College Director of Veterans Affairs Shannon O’Neill.

O’Neill said that Suffolk recently moved its Ammerman Campus Veterans Resource Center to new space as a result of a New York State Economic Development grant. The new, modern and comfortable space, in the college’s refurbished Kreiling Hall, O’Neill said, is equipped with student computers, a spacious lounge area and resource center.

O’Neill explained that the college offers robust services staffed with experts in military and veterans benefits and community resources through its veterans resource centers located on all of the college’s campuses.

The services are available in person and virtually for active duty, guard, reservists, veterans and their dependents, according to O’Neill. The college, O’Neill

said, also waives the application fee for all individuals currently serving as well as veterans and their dependents.

Suffolk’s final ratings were determined by combining the college’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based scoring assessment. The institution’s ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement,

loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer) and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans was measured.

The 2022-2023 Military Friendly schools list will be published in the May and October issue of G.I. Jobs magazine and can be found at www.militaryfriend ly.com.

—Suffolk County Community College

Massapequa Teen Named Boces Student Of The Quarter Massapequa student Lilli Pelli (left, pictured with GC Tech Principal Madelaine Hackett) was named Student of the Quarter for the second quarter at Nassau BOCES GC Tech career and technical education high school. Students of the Quarter have taken the initiative on class projects and are role models for their fellow students in both the classroom and the workplace. Pelli, who is studying cosmetology, was honored for her grades, attendance, work ethic and preparedness.

—Nassau BOCES

NEW and EXCITING morning opportunities for girls to explore their interest in COMPUTER SCIENCE, LEADERSHIP, MUSIC and SCIENCE. Make it a FULL DAY by spending your afternoon at one our premier sports camps!

LEADERSHIP, MUSIC, COMPUTER SCIENCE

JULY 26-28 8:30-11:30am

SCIENCE for grades 4-6 8:30-11:30am

JULY 12-14

for grades 7-9 Noon-3:00pm

Basketball | Cross Country / Track & Field Field Hockey | Lacrosse | Soccer Softball |Tennis | Volleyball

Learn more: www.sacredheartacademyli.org/camps/

232346 S

JULY 12-14 8:30-11:30am

SAFFEHOUSE_SFH_FP

PROFILES IN EDUCATION • APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 5B

6B APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

How Schools Should Handle Employee Misconduct specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

W

e’ve all seen headlines about misconduct by teachers or other school employees. It may seem like it is simple—fire the employee. But firing a school employee may require a hearing. In addition, school officials should, and are often required to, perform an official investigation before taking

any action. How school officials investigate misconduct can affect the school’s reputation, environment, and operations. Further, the school could be exposed to liability if the investigation is not properly conducted, and appropriate action is not taken.

As an attorney who focuses on education law and public sector labor and employment law, I offer the following practical advice on how schools should handle an investigation

effectively and what the public should expect before seeing any results: Step 1: Intake Typically, the complainant, if any, will be interviewed early in the process. If wrongdoing is uncovered by means other than a complaint, the school should speak with the source of the concern.

Step 2: Gather Evidence Schools need to gather documents

and other evidence to establish a record to corroborate or disprove wrongdoing.

Evidence might include letters, memos, emails, voicemail or text messages, phone records, footage from security cameras, etc.

When applicable, computers, hard drives, flash drives, tablets and phones should be examined, and in some cases secured to protect the information.

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

FREE Event at NCMA Saturday, April 30, 11 am-3 pm Nassau County Museum of Art invites people of all ages on the Autism Spectrum and their families, care providers and coaches to join us for a joyful day of theater, music and art

At the Mansion

At The Manes Art Center

Tilles Center presents: Branching Out A multi-sensory theatrical performance Registration required

Spectrum Perspectives, an exhibition of art made by people with ASD. Hands on art making project

Two Performances: Children/Teens and Young Adults 13 and up

Opening Date: April 30. Exhibition Time: 11 am-3 pm Refreshments

Scavenger Hunt: Stroll though the Museum’s galleries exploring Impressionism: A World View

Additional Dates to see the exhibition: Tuesday, May 3 through Saturday, May 7. Exhibition Time: 11 am-4 pm

To register visit nassaumusum.org or scan code This program is made possible with funding from North Shore Autism Circle, The Phyllis Backer Foundation and The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation The Mansion is open Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-4:45 pm

N ASSAU CO U N T Y M U S E U M O F A RT One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor New York 11576 516 484-9338

NM_AUTISM_HH

BY LAWRENCE J. TENENBAUM, ESQ.

PROFILES IN EDUCATION • APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 7B

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE Step 3: Interviews The first witness will typically be the complainant, if there is one. Other witnesses, if any, should be identified and interviewed to gather additional and/or corroborating evidence. The accused is typically interviewed toward the end of the investigation.

He/she may be entitled to certain rights during the investigation and should be given an opportunity to present his/her side of the story. A tenured teacher generally cannot be compelled to provide self-incriminating information and may be entitled to refuse to answer questions in any pre-hearing investigation.

Step 4: Evaluate the Evidence Investigations often result in conflicting information and sometimes come down to one person’s word against the word of another. Determining the credibility of witnesses is particularly important in such situations. Schools need to consider whether a witness’ statements make sense when considered alone, whether the evidence tends to support one account over another and whether any facts have been corroborated or refuted by credible evidence. Assessing the demeanor of witnesses is also appropriate in making credibility decisions.

Step 5: Reach a Conclusion and Take Action Once the school reaches a conclusion regarding guilt or innocence, they can implement corrective action as appropriate such as training, a memo to the personnel file, reassignment/transfer, separating individuals,

and discipline up to termination. Any such action must be consistent with applicable contracts and statutes.

Step 6: Advise the Parties It is a good practice (and in some cases it is required) for the school to inform the complainant of whether the allegations were substantiated or unsubstantiated, and what action will be taken. They also need to notify the accused of the investigation’s findings and the actions school officials intend to take.

Step 7: Follow Up Once the investigation is complete and corrective action is implemented, schools should also follow up to ensure that there has been no post-investigation retaliation.

Public sector employee misconduct is different in some important ways from the private sector. While it may seem like things are being “swept under the rug” or ignored, laws, confidentiality concerns, employment contracts and collective bargaining agreements often dictate the procedures that must be followed to ensure a fair and through investigation before any action can be taken.

Assumptions that nothing is happening are often incorrect.

I encourage schools to have a plan in place so they are ready if and when an incident occurs. Then follow the steps outlined above to act in a prompt, fair and impartial manner where allegations of misconduct have been raised. Doing so will protect the students, staff and school and contribute to an effective environment for all concerned.

—Lawrence J. Tenenbaum, Esq., is a partner at Jaspan Schlesinger LLP.

BOCES Appoints New Deputy Superintendent The Nassau BOCES Board of Education has named James Widmer its new deputy superintendent, effective in February. Nassau BOCES is the largest Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York and serves the 56 school districts in Nassau County.

“Mr. Widmer has been instrumental in the ongoing success of Nassau BOCES,” said Dr. Robert R. Dillon, district superintendent. “We are confident that he will excel in his new role and help to build the BOCES of the future.”

Widmer will provide guidance for all of the agency’s programs and services.

He will also assume the role of the district superintendent when Dillon is unavailable. He will continue to be responsible for the agency’s nearly $400 million annual budget.

“Mr. Widmer brings a long history of accomplishments to Nassau BOCES,” said board President Susan Bergtraum.

“He is masterful in his ability to make the complicated nature of the Nassau BOCES budget easily understood by administration, the board and our component districts. His dedication to our agency and its mission is beyond

James Widmer, newly appointed deputy superintendent at Nassau BOCES question. We are thrilled to have him as our deputy superintendent.”

Widmer, of Farmingdale, joined Nassau BOCES in 2003 as a senior accountant and rose through the ranks.

Prior to joining the agency, he worked in private industry for 16 years. He holds an MBA from Dowling College and earned his undergraduate degree at Hofstra University. He has school business administration and school district administration certifications.

—Nassau BOCES

JOIN US!

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Register now at

Scan to register

220338

farmingdale.edu/openhouse.

229104 M

8B APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

A

Homeschooling In New York

re you thinking about starting to homeschool?

Do you live in the Empire State? Then this overview page for homeschooling in New York is for you.

Time4Learning, a leader in homeschooling assistance, understands that you have a lot of questions about getting started with homeschooling in your state. What do I need to do to start homeschooling my child? Where can I find local support? What kinds of curriculum are available to me?

We want you to feel confident in your choice to take your child’s education into your own hands, but there are so many things to consider about how to homeschool your child in New York.

HOW TO START HOMESCHOOLING IN NY Once you’ve made your decision to homeschool in New York, these are the four steps you should follow: 1. File your notice of intention to homeschool with your local school district within 14 days of pulling your child from their current school (or anytime, if your

t

child isn’t currently enrolled in a school).

2. Once you’ve received your confirmation and Individualized Home Instruction Plan form, you have four weeks to complete and submit your information.

3. Choose your curriculum. In New York, homeschool curriculum choice is up to the parents.

4. Begin enjoying learning together.

NEW YORK HOMESCHOOLING LAWS How does homeschooling work in New York? Simple. Homeschoolers and public school students alike are required to receive instruction from ages 6-16. The New York Department of Education (DOE) governs the subjects to be taught in your homeschool (although, you can teach additional subjects as well).

While the steps to homeschooling in the Empire State are simple, this is a highly regulated state and the DOE has clear guidelines on how to properly homeschool in New York.

NEW YORK HOMESCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS Almost every state has at least one

CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE

Looking for a Summer School for your child with a learning difference?

Learn more about Winston Prep Long Island’s Summer Enrichment Program that provides students with learning differences a unique, individualized program to enhance their academic skills and foster independence.

DATES: Monday through Friday, July 1st – July 29 th, 2022 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Contact Michele Bellatoni, Director of Summer Enrichment Program • lisummerprogram@winstonprep.edu

631.779.2400 (x2431) for more information.

228994 M

PROFILES IN EDUCATION • APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 9B

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE statewide organization designed to support home educators and, currently, there are two New York state homeschooling associations. While every statewide homeschool association will have different goals, they will all certainly have in common the desire to provide support, guidance and information to homeschoolers in their state.

Homeschool associations are valuable for any stage of homeschooling, but they can be especially helpful to families just getting started.

NEW YORK HOMESCHOOL GROUPS AND CO-OPS Once you’ve made the decision to homeschool in New York, you will likely want to connect with other homeschoolers in your state. Time4Learning’s New York homeschool parent forum is a great place to start, so don’t be afraid to ask questions of other homeschooling families who live in the Empire State. With the growth in popularity of homeschooling, though, you may also discover one or more local support groups in your town or region.

HOMESCHOOL FIELD TRIPS IN NEW YORK If you are thinking that homeschool means staying in and studying all the time, think again! In fact, because of their flexible schedule, homeschoolers usually have many more opportunities than traditional schoolers to get out and

explore their community and their world.

Homeschooling in such a vibrant state as New York means you have driveable access to many destinations that you can visit together as a family, and almost any outing can be turned into a learning activity. In addition to field trip options, your state and local homeschool associations and support groups will probably plan workshops, service opportunities, athletic events and more throughout the year. Plus, don’t forget to explore all the enrichment classes offered to students in your area. Please make sure to contact each site before you plan your visit, as COVID-19 may have impacted their hours of operations.

NEW YORK STANDARDIZED TESTS AND TEST PREP Starting in fourth grade, New York homeschoolers are required to take nationally approved achievement tests every other year. These serve as the year-end assessments required for those years. Then, in 9th grade, homeschoolers will begin taking the achievement tests annually. Examples of approved tests include the Iowa Basics Skills Test, the California Achievement Test, the PASS test, and the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills.

Visit www.time4learning.com/home schooling/new-york/#how-to to learn more about state requirements for homeschooling and to see if Time4Learning is a homeschooling partner for you.

LIVE LIVE TOLEAD.

TO INSPIRE.

LIVE YOUR STORY.

—Time4Learning

Open House Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m.

Become the educator you’re meant to be.

Working with an accomplished faculty in small classes – and in the field in a classroom of your own – you’ll turn your passion for education into effective teaching at Molloy, one of the region’s best colleges.

molloy.edu 230352 M MOL1031_LYS_SpringOH_Anton_4.875x11.5_HP_4C_v1.indd 1

4/12/22 5:40 PM

10B APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

S

SUNY To Expand Access To Public Health Education

UNY College of Optometry and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate) announced a partnership to establish public health educational and research programs on the SUNY College of Optometry’s 42nd Street campus. This partnership will allow SUNY College of Optometry and SUNY Downstate’s School of Public Health to expand access to public health degree programs while creating collaborative research opportunities examining health care disparities and access, particularly in the area of eye and vision care.

“I am pleased to welcome SUNY Downstate to our campus to establish this one-of-a-kind extension site program bringing together the talents of the best public health and optometry faculty and students at our 42nd Street location,” said David A. Heath, OD, EdM., president of SUNY College of Optometry. “We look forward to working with the leadership and faculty of SUNY Downstate’s School of Public Health to create comprehensive and unique educational opportunities for not only our students, alumni and faculty but the public at large.”

Downstate’s School of Public Health will occupy approximately 3,000 square feet of

SUNY Optometry space at SUNY Optometry’s midtown campus supporting educational and research activities, as well as faculty and administrative offices. This partnership creates a new opportunity for students and faculty across programs to collaborate on both educational programs and through public health research, as well as provides opportunities for more New York City area residents to pursue a public health degree.

“This is a great opportunity to expand the SUNY footprint and its commitment to interdisciplinary learning,” said Wayne J. Riley, M.D., president of SUNY Downstate

Health Sciences University. “This unique partnership with SUNY Optometry goes hand-in-hand in collaborations with our School of Public health goal of seeking different perspectives for understanding and managing health challenges in communities such as the ones that we serve at Downstate.”

Downstate’s School of Public Health vision is to lead the way to urban health equity in New York and beyond and its mission is to improve the health status of urban and marginalized populations, by training the next generation of diverse public health leaders, conducting practice changing research, and

enhancing public health interventions that transforms the implementation of policy to create healthy communities.

“Interdisciplinary Collaboration is one of our school’s values, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with our neighbor, SUNY College of Optometry, while also expanding our unique program’s reach and access to vital services beyond our home base in Brooklyn,” said Dr. Kitaw Demissie, dean and professor at SUNY Downstate’s School of Public Health.

SUNY College of Optometry serves a wide range of communities, supporting nearly 240,000 patient visits through both the University Eye Center situated on the 42nd Street campus and its network of clinical affiliates located throughout the tristate area. SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University serves the healthcare needs of New York City and Brooklyn’s residents through their world-class academic teaching facilities. Through this collaboration, SUNY Optometry and SUNY Downstate will reach residents in each of the five boroughs of New York City.

The branch program is set to open in the fall semester.

—Submitted by SUNY Optometry

“Come home for our Annual Lacrosse Reunion”

33RD ANNUAL INDUCTION DINNER FOR THE BENEFIT OF MANHASSET LACROSSE PLANDOME COUNTRY CLUB • THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022

Classes Start Second week in September.

German Lessons Since 1897

After-School Program NY State Accredited Language Program

This Years Inductees Ward Bitter Jr. Melissa Buttles Henne Sean Denihan Mike Kellerman Halle Majorana Ryan Miller

• No previous German necessary • Minimum age: 6 years • Low tuition • Manhattan location: Upper East Side • Locations also in Franklin Square and Garden City (Long Island) 232100 S

for more information email: kidslearngerman@aol.com or go to german-american-school.org

Manhasset Lacrosse Hall of Fame is a Proud Sponsor of: Boys/Girls Lacrosse Trips Lights on the Turf field Scorer’s Platform for Stadium Field Safety netting on Stadium Field Turf Fields at Manhasset High School Subsidize Boys/Girls Gear Subsidize additional Boys Varsity Coach Advocate for Lacrosse Events One Love Foundation 232374 S

PROFILES IN EDUCATION • APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 11B

N

New York Tech Students Are Building NASA Prototype Product

ASA research and discoveries have laid the groundwork for many products that are part of our daily lives, from the computer mouse and ear thermometer to ski boots and CAT scans.

Other products that may one day join that list include a robotic therapy vest for patients with neurological impairments and a high-tech device, known as a c-gauge, to measure cord tension in parachutes, sails, and weather balloons. And an interdisciplinary team of New York Tech students stands to play a role in realizing that goal by building prototypes for these future products.

As part of a new agreement, NASA has contracted with New York Tech, through the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC), to have ETIC student employees build unique technology prototypes based on existing NASA patents and create professional marketing materials that NASA can use in efforts to commercialize the technology.

“The purpose of this agreement is to provide an operational structure and framework for NASA to move various unrealized and undeveloped intellectual property further towards commercialization through prototyping and production services available at New York Tech’s Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center,” said Kris Romig, the commercialization services lead at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Currently, seven New York Tech student employees are working to fulfill the terms of the contract with NASA, which runs through August 2022. Students pursuing computer science, mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering degrees were selected to build the prototypes based on NASA patents, and two digital arts students will be developing instructional and marketing videos to help present the products to investors.

“The sky is the limit in terms of potential opportunities for New York Tech students through this relationship,” said ETIC Director Michael Nizich, Ph.D. This first contract includes seven students, but it’s possible that over time, several dozen from across the university could be working toward building or supporting NASA products, in addition to pursuing internships and perhaps a full-time position at NASA after graduation.”

“Importantly, this work is guided by a performance-based contract. It is not a grant and serves as a pilot for New York Tech to demonstrate our rich and talented resources in terms of our labs, facilities, students, and their faculty advisors,” said Babak Beheshti, Ph.D., dean, College of Engineering and Computing Sciences. For this first project, “we reviewed patents of interest provided

The NYIT doers and makers building prototype products for NASA

by NASA for viability and high probability of success. We based our decisions and selections on our skillsets and facilities, as well as our ability to complete the job. NASA agreed to the patents we selected, so we have developed a plan and statement of work, including work description, estimated hours, deliverables, and timeframe. This truly exemplifies that our students are makers and doers who are well on the way to reinventing the future.”

Undergraduates on the NASA team are Robert Maksimowicz from Bellmore, an electrical and computer engineering major, entrepreneur, and self-described electronics hobbyist; Hibah Agha, a computer science major from Bellerose who is serving as a Python and Java developer for the project; Benjamin Fuoco from Valley Stream, also a computer science major who is focusing on electronic component configuration with Python; and Lincoln Dover, a mechanical engineering student from Wyandanch skilled at robotics who will be the mechanical designer for the vest prototype and hopes to one day work in renewables like solar power.

Robert Doxey, a computer science graduate student and entrepreneur from Syosset, has already founded a company through the ETIC that develops apps for other ETIC startups.

His key focus on the NASA project will be to develop a website to manage or control various aspects of the prototypes as well as to

display data reporting the projects’ progress.

“Many of us worked in the ETIC last summer on various product prototypes on behalf of regional startups, which was a great exercise to be sure we were up to the task of working on the NASA team,” said Maksimowicz, who is also serving as student project manager and electrical design engineer for the NASA team.

Nic Luna of Fresh Meadows and Ying Shi Zhang from Brooklyn are digital arts students in the School of Architecture and Design who will help develop instructional videos promoting and demonstrating the prototypes to support commercialization efforts once the prototypes are built.

The ETIC refined it strategy a few years ago to focus on opportunities for engineering and computer science students to build early-phase technology prototypes for local and regional startup companies. In 2019, Nizich was contacted by Empire State Development on behalf of a local (Long Island) startup, Grub Guard, which needed a technology solution built from a patent it was filing.

Students working at the ETIC subsequently built the first prototype technology solution for Grub Guard and the software to control it.

During Grub Guard’s fundraising efforts for the prototype, its principals met the NASA team, who requested to speak to New York Tech after viewing the Grub Guard prototype.

“After being connected with NASA, we

worked to explain the ETIC’s programs and services and the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences’ labs and facilities, student capabilities, and engagement,” explained Nizich, who is also an adjunct associate professor of computer science.

“NASA ultimately requested a proposal for us to take various unrealized NASA patents that they see can potentially be commercialized and then create early-phase prototypes of those technologies for NASA to demonstrate to their industry partners.”

The high-performing team of students is now busy building the first series of prototypes, according to the NASA patent guidelines. The student team provides updates and reports on project and prototype progress, including text-based reports, photos and videos of their work and collaboration.

After the prototypes are built and accepted, a larger number of students will be able to contribute to additional versions of the built prototypes, and perhaps work on new prototypes as well.

“It is entirely possible that, as we are building the prototypes to specification, we’ll create some new technology or component in the process. This kind of unique New York Tech innovation could end up benefitting businesses in the region and providing additional capability to outside companies,” Beheshti said. “It’s very exciting.”

—New York Institute of Technology

APRIL 20 - 26, 2022 • PROFILES IN EDUCATION

Tuition Discounts for New York and New Jersey • Eastern Connecticut State University’s Tri-State Rate allows New York and New Jersey students to attend Eastern for less than $30,000/year in total direct costs.

• They are also eligible for scholarships • Connecticut’s only public liberal arts college, where students become innovative, inquisitive and confident thinkers • The #1 public regional university in New England three years in a row! (U.S. News & World Report, 2020, 2021, 2022) • Live on a beautiful residential campus • Be in the middle of the action! > 2.5 hours to New York > 2 hours to George Washington Bridge > 2 hours to Boston > 3 hours to Vermont

Go to college out of state without paying out-of-state tuition!

https://www.easternct.edu/tristate College Fair Anton 22.indd 1

228914 M

Sign up for a tour or check us out virtually!

3/14/22 8:03 AM