Thanks to a grant from Con Edison, students at the Outreach Project – a nonprofit organization that helps children, teens and adults who suffer from addiction – got to enjoy a ‘Summer of Science.’
The Summer of Science is a program designed to help the adolescents in the Outreach Project, which was established in Glendale in 1980, expand their education and learn more about science.
“This generous grant from Con Edison will not only provide a more exciting opportunity for these adolescents to learn about science, but it will help them develop a sense of academic accomplishment and higher self esteem,” said Kathleen Riddle, president of the Outreach Project.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids who have had a rough time in their lives to be introduced to the value of science and hopefully pursue it in higher education and maybe one of them can become the next Einstein,” said Neil Sheehan, Executive Vice President of Outreach.
The Summer of Science program started on July 1 and will continue through August 6. Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. students gather at P.S. 318 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn for the classes.
There were no pre-requisites needed to participate in the program, and students have already gone on trips to the Museum of Natural history, Queens Hall of Science and the Bronx Zoo, according to Christine Casiano, grant writer for the Outreach Project.
Con Edison and the Outreach Project have been collaborating for quite some time to set up programs for the kids at Outreach.
“They have a big interest in education, particularly in the areas of science and math,” Casiano said, referring to Con Edison. “They work with us on the Big Apple Circus and other events. But this [Summer of Science] is probably the most unique and exciting grant that we’ve done together.”
For its part, Con Edison was glad it could help an organization like Outreach.
"Con Edison realizes the importance of supporting science education for K-12 students," said Carol Ann Conslato, Director of Queens Public Affairs for Con Edison. "Outreach Project’s efforts will help provide a solid base in science for these students, which will hopefully expand their opportunities in the future."
Meanwhile, Casiano hopes that the program can have an impact beyond the five weeks that the students participate.
“You see what the kids are like when they first get to us and how little hope and prospect for the future they have. But when they leave they talk about going to college and they have the confidence to succeed,” Casiano said. “We hope this will give them encouragement to succeed in all of their educational endeavors.”
