Rhinebeck Science Foundation

RSF Planned Projects

After a week of meetings with teacher representatives from the elementary, middle school and high school, the district has embraced the idea of starting a scientific environmental program for all three schools. The idea stems from a desire to utilize the beautiful natural resources in the area, including the stream that passes next to the middle school and high school, the wetlands on the elementary school property and, of course, our most beautiful natural resource here in the Hudson valley area, the Hudson River itself.

Initial talks have already started with the Cary Institute of Ecosystems in Millbrook and many other organizations and professionals. The next step will be professional development and outreach to learn about programs already in place in other schools.

An emphasis will be placed on:

• forming partnerships with the many environmental research centers in our area
• teaching and exposing students to sophisticated scientific study and methodology
• incorporating more technology into the classrooms to interpret data
• performing mathematical analysis
• and performing more scientific study on a daily basis

The school will investigate other progressive programs around the country, such as the zero-net green houses on the rooftops of many New York City school buildings, and novel ways to incorporate technology into the school district, as has been done with great success by The School of the Future in Philadelphia.

The Rhinebeck Science Foundation is working diligently to speed this initiative's progress by encouraging and facilitating partnerships for our school district. In addition, we have already identified grant money available for this type of project. We look forward to helping the Rhinebeck schools achieve these goals, and to seeing our students grow into extraordinary scientists.