The Academy for Science and Design Hosts Open House for Industry Professionals and Leaders in New Hampshire's Legislative Body

The Academy for Science and Design (ASD), a public charter school located in Nashua, New Hampshire, hosted an Open House event on Monday, October 27, 2014 for industry professionals and leaders in New Hampshire’s legislative body. This event included a brief presentation and Q&A session with Jennifer Cava, Director of the Academy for Science and Design which was followed by an informative tour of the school. The Open House ended with a panel discussion about STEM education with some of ASD’s students from grades 6-12. Many of those in attendance stayed after the panel discussion ended in order to speak to individual students in more detail.

New Hampshire faces a critical shortage of students who develop and sustain their interest in STEM fields from elementary school through college. The Academy for Science and Design, the state’s top-performing public school and largest STEM-specialty school, is aimed at expanding students’ interest and ability in STEM locally and statewide.

Leaders from New Hampshire’s legislative body in attendance included: Senator Peggy Gilmour, Senator Bette Lasky, Representative Linda Harriott-Gathright, Alderman-at-Large Jim Donchess, Representative Kermit Williams, Alderman-at-Large Diane Sheehan, Representative David Murotake and Thomas Galligani, Economic Development Director.

Business leaders in attendance included: Alexandra Carter of BAE Systems, Shaunae Nolet, Business Development Director at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce, Norman Bartlett, President of Creative Sensor Technology, Chris Williams, President and CEO at the Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce and Shauna Kozinski, Relationship Manager at Santander Bank.

The students on the panel were: Alex Hargrove and Ali Cleveland (grade 12), Arusha Anupindi, Colin Bewley and Nick Zumbo (grade 11), Fiona Doyle and Aasha Krishnan (grade 10), Anthony Cavallaro and Andrew Frischknecht (grade 9), Frederick Lee (grade 8), Derek Bobbitt and Michelle Bozzi (grade 7) and Jack Ayer and Nikhil Vootkur (grade 6).

The Academy for Science and Design is actively seeking to partner with local companies and businesses for student centered activities such as internships in STEM fields for our students, contributions of funding or resources, and/or presenters for our SPARK Conferences. Financial donations can be an outright financial contribution in the amount of your choice, or can consist of underwriting costs for installing a specific facility, technology or program. More information can be found on our website at www.asdnh.org or by contacting Amy Bewley, Coordinator of Admissions, Marketing and Communications at Amy.Bewley@asdnh.org.