Renaissance School Gets $15K Science Ed. Grant

Con Edison has awarded The Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights a $15,000 grant towards creating the Con Edison-Renaissance Science Leaders (CERSL) program in grades seven through 12. This program will prepare students for science majors in college by providing enhanced classroom instruction and extracurricular activities through the lens of energy conservation and sustainable development.

According to the survey "Innovation and U.S. Competitiveness: Addressing the Talent Gap" sponsored by the Washington-based Business Roundtable and Compete America, 86 percent of American voters recognize that the country needs to have more workers with strong backgrounds in science and math. Yet, according to the study, only 5 percent of parents actually reported that they would try to encourage their children to seek out careers in science and technology. CERSL is a program designed to overcome social and cognitive barriers that have worked in the past to prevent students from seeking challenging careers in the sciences.

Con Edison's commitment will help fund professional development for all K- 12 science teachers at Renaissance, mentoring for new science teachers as well as certain curricular needs for implementing an AP Environmental Science course. As the program grows, enrichment incentives such as trips to environmental science camps and internships will be developed.

The Renaissance Charter School is a K-12 public charter school located in Jackson Heights. The school was created in April 1992 by a group of 15 parents and teachers who were concerned about the future of New York City and its children. The school is an original "New Visions School". Renaissance converted to charter status in May 2000 and was subsequently renewed for another five years in May 2005.

Con Edison has a long-established tradition of contributing to and maintaining the social, cultural, and economic vitality of its service areas throughout New York City and Westchester County. Con Edison has given financial or in-kind support to organizations whose activities advance strong, vibrant, stable communities and enrich the quality of life of all New Yorkers. In addition to providing funding to institutions both large and small, established and emerging, Con Edison has a large and loyal corps of volunteers who give of their time and energy to a wide array of educational, health, senior citizen, sports, mentoring and civic programs and organizations.