The SCIENCE COUNCIL OF NEW YORK CITY is a coordinating group for nine SCIENCE EDUCATION organizations. These organizations service teachers in elementary, intermediate and high schools in the New York City area. To many, the organization is simply known as SCONYC.
SCONYC maintains active liaisons with the State Education Department, the New York City Department of Education Science Unit; and the Office of Education, Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.
In addition to these “vertical” alignments, SCONYC plays a role in the advocacy of the Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) and is honored to sit with the members of the New York State Consortium for Science Education (The “Consortium”) each month. Participation in the workgroups and committees of these organizations gives SCONYC (and the associations within its “umbrella” a real voice in the changing face of statewide science education.
SCONYC maintains communications with colleges and universities in the Greater New York City area. Members of the higher education community play an important role in promoting the activities of SCONYC and its member associations.
SCONYC has maintained excellent communications with the various resource agencies located in the Greater New York City area. The curators, interpreters and non-classroom educators who work at these facilities play an important role in the science education community.
Up until the COVID pandemic, SCONYC organized an all-day face-to-face conference and exhibition each year. Workshops, panel discussions lectures and hands-on activities were presented. Exhibitions included science supply houses, publishers and resource agencies. A luncheon provided an opportunity for sharing ideas and socializing and to start off the Conference a special keynote speaker was engaged.
Now, all of these offerings have been shifted to on-line interaction, as we have all learned from the necessary changes to teaching and learning itself in NYC. While in-person interactions are not wise, the deeper mission of facilitating a one-day networking and professional learning environment is still very much in play.
SCONYC helps teachers in their professional growth. It may provide something that you need.