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ALBANY, N.Y. (April 23, 2009) --
 Fresh off the heels of the New York State science test, which they took
Wednesday, Laurie Ellis’ fourth-grade class at Thomas O’Brien Academy of
Science and Technology (TOAST), with the help of science teacher
Art Flynn, tested their science knowledge while helping the environment.
In keeping with the spirit of Earth Day and
Arbor Day, Ms. Ellis’ class planted a pine tree next to the school
Thursday.
This was not just a tree-planting exercise,
however. All the while, Ms. Ellis quizzed students on their knowledge of
photosynthesis – the process in which plants use energy from the sun to
change carbon dioxide and water into starches and sugars to use as food.
Not surprisingly, all the students were deeply knowledgeable about the
process.
Charles Decker, Oniyalese Surgick and Maksym
Kornyev dig a hole to plant the pine tree in.
Following what Ms. Ellis calls the “3Ps,”
each student planned on how to help the environment, made an
Earth Day pledge to do something specific to protect the
environment in their community, and helped plant a tree to offset
global warming.
The City
School District of Albany serves approximately 8,300 students in 18
elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood
schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as
well as other innovative academic opportunities for students. The
district is more than halfway through its comprehensive facilities
project to newly build and/or renovate nearly all of its elementary and
middle schools. The ultimate goal of the facilities project is to
provide schools with the resources necessary to help students succeed in
the 21st century.
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