Name science lab for teacher

A $400,000 science lab in honor of deceased teacher Ann Friedman was dedicated at P.S. 76 on Friday, June 8.
Friedman’s sudden death, caused by a heart attack, occurred in one of the Astoria school’s classrooms in November of 2005. At the time of her passing, Friedman had been an educator for 34 years.
“When I visited P.S. 76, I couldn’t believe that they still didn’t have a science lab,” said Gioia, who was responsible for securing the funding need to renovate and construct the lab.
This marks the first time that P.S. 76 will have a science-only lab.
On hand for the dedication ceremony were Gioia, United Federation of Teachers head Randi Weingarten, P.S. 76 principal Mary Schafenberg and school staff and students.
“When you think about how quickly scientific knowledge is progressing, it’s clear that we need our students in an environment where they can keep up with the times,” Gioia said.