Wednesday, June 15th, 2022—It was a 'ball in' day at Syracuse Academy of Science elementary and middle school, as Syracuse Academy of Science high school alumni and Syracuse University basketball guard Syrmir Torrence visited his alma mater.

This basketball legend paid a visit to his former teachers, who have impacted his life. Symir also posed for pictures with the Atoms, signed autographs, and gave high-fives and fist bumps. The students were very excited to meet Symir!

It's always exciting when alumni Atoms visit their alma mater. We wish Symir the best of luck with his upcoming Senior year at Syracuse University. We look forward to seeing him dominate on the basketball court and lead the Orange to victory. 

We are many Atoms, One Family

Tuesday, May 31st, 2022—As the Syracuse Academy of Science high school students from the Class of 2022 prepare for that infamous walk to receive their diplomas, they first take a short walk to where it all started: elementary school.

The graduating seniors from the Class of 2022 donned their caps and gowns and walked through Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school halls for the Atoms in grades K-4 to see and cheer them on. This time-honored tradition allows our Elementary Atoms to see what they can strive for and look forward to. It is also a fun and sweet reminder for our Seniors to see where it all started.

To celebrate, elementary school teachers and students decorated and made signs to congratulate the seniors on their hard work and accomplishments.

There was a bittersweet moment when the Dean of Elementary, Meghan Miller, took a picture with the seniors she taught in her 3^rd-grade class!

We wish our Class of 2022 the best of luck with their upcoming graduation and future endeavors!

Thursday, June 16th, 2022—As the 2021 - 2022 school year wraps up, just a few things are left on the minds of the Class of 2022. Let us give a warm welcome as we introduce this 'Slam-Dunk' senior, Alexius Pierce, to Syracuse Academy of Science high school's Senior Spotlight series.

Interview with Alexius Pierce

• What is one major accomplishment you had in your senior year of high school? Scoring my 1,000 points 
• What are your goals for after high school? Become a pediatrician
• Name one person that inspires you? My mother
• What advice would you give to the next senior class? You only get one high school experience, don't let anyone ruin it!
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Going to med school
• If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would they be and why? My brother, just because I would love to tell him, I'm going to make it and all the accomplishments I wish he was here for.
• Name three traits that describe you? Caring, Hard Working, Strong.
• What is your favorite hobby? Watching movies or playing basketball
• What is a hidden talent that no one or only a few people know about you? I can draw.
• What is your favorite memory of SAS? Going to states in the 8th grade.

Friday, June 3rd, 2022—As the Regents Exams kick off today, the Syracuse Academy of Science high school students were busy preparing, studying, and taking much-needed 'brain break,' or study break.

As a stress relief from all the 'exam cramming' students in grades, 8 -11^th participated in an Uno tournament. Atoms played in a bracket system where the first two winners from each of the four groups advanced to the next round. These eight students would then play three final games with prizes awarded to students who placed 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd.

Congratulations to the following Uno tournament winners.

1^st Place: Theo Simon

2^nd Place: Ar'Dierre Reed

3^rd Place: Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir

Thank you to everyone who helped make this tournament possible! We wish all of our students the best of luck on their Regents Exams. You got this, Atoms!

Friday, April 8th, 2022—Syracuse Academy of Science high school ‘future scientists,’ Miguel Mathis and Makayla McMullen receive an opportunity of a lifetime when their project about Microbial Fuel Cells was the only one selected to attend and present their research at the CNY Energy Symposium.

Lab partners, Mathis and McMullen, have been working on their Microbial Fuel Cells to develop portable electricity using dirty and recyclable materials. Throughout the symposium, students met and networked with companies and scientists worldwide and attended workshops.

The highlight of this experience for Miguel and Makayla was the opportunity to meet many distinguished scientists, learn about their work, and hear about their attitudes towards life.

Congratulations, Miguel and Makayla, on being selected to participate in the CNY Energy Symposium. This is an incredible honor, and we are all very proud of you!

Monday, May 9th, 2022—Out of 1,748 participants, Syracuse Academy of Science high school student Miguel Mathis took home 3^rd place, and a $1,000 award from the Arconic Foundation for innovation in sustainable design or material science at Society for Science's Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) held in Atlanta, Georgia!

Miguel's project was about Microbial Fuel Cells and how we can build them sustainably to generate electricity from bacteria and treat wastewater. 

Throughout ISEF, Miguel met and networked with companies and scientists worldwide. Without the support, encouragement, and drive to work hard from family, friends, teachers, and lab partner Makayla McMullen, this wouldn't be possible.

Congratulations, Miguel; we are very proud of you and all you have accomplished!

Saturday, June 4th, 2022—The Syracuse Academy of Science high school Atoms never ‘cracked’ under pressure when participating in the MOST’s annual Rocket Team Challenge held at Syracuse University's Skytop Field.

This STEM competition has the Junior Division (grades 4-8) and Senior Division (grades 9-12). To compete, the teams must design and assemble a model rocket kit provided by the MOST. Upon submittal of their rocket, each team is judged on the following criteria:

• Quality of their construction
• Knowledge of the subject
• How well they estimated their trajectory
• Survival of their 'eggstronaut'

Awards are given to the top 4 highest scoring teams in each division, and the team who had the rocket fly the highest, land the farthest and closest to the launch site, had the best team name, etc.

Congratulations to the Atoms for finishing 15^th out of 38 teams.

Saturday, May 28th, 2022—Over the last few months, the Syracuse Academy of Science high school's Congressional Awards students have been busy at work exploring the great outdoors and seeing what Central New York has to offer in efforts to complete their exploration requirement.

For this requirement, students are to plan and lead a trip that allows them to be immersed in an unfamiliar environment or culture. During their journey, students must complete 6-8 hours of immersive activities per day to earn a day toward this requirement.

Syracuse Academy of Science high school, Congressional Awards students visited Niagara Falls, Rochester, and the Adirondacks to fulfill this exploration requirement. When visiting Rochester, the Atoms walked by the Genesee River, explored the downtown area, and saw the High Falls. Over Memorial Day weekend, students spend time in the Adirondacks camping, swimming at Golden Beach Campground (a first for many students), and hiking up on the Blue Mountain.

We want to thank Mr. Serkan for his help and support in arranging the Adirondack trip for the students. For many of the students, this was their first-time-ever camping, and they are appreciative of gaining this important life skill and having this opportunity. In addition, we want to thank Superintendent Dr. Hayali, Ms. Smith, and Ms. Hahn for their leadership and guidance in introducing and supporting this honorary program at Syracuse Academy of Science high school.

Please click here to visit our Facebook page to view additional pictures from the Syracuse Academy of Science high school Congressional Awards students’ exploration trips.

Friday, May 20th, 2022—School is still in session, but it's hard not to start thinking about summer with the warm weather like today! In fact, Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school has already begun its annual 'Countdown to Summer' event. Each Friday, Atoms will have a chance to participate in Spirit Day themes like Favorite Color accessory, Crazy Hair Day, Funky Frames, and Silly Socks.

Below are the upcoming Spirit Day Themes as Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school continues its 'Fun Friday,' Countdown to Summer event.

• June 10th: Hat Day
• June 17th: Bright/Neon Accessory Day
• June 24th: Sunglasses for Summer

Please click here to view additional pictures from the Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school's Countdown to Summer event, and stay tuned for additional Fun Friday pictures.

Friday, May 27th, 2022—Teamwork makes the dream work at Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school! Throughout May, Atoms learned about the character trait of teamwork. Students learned that teamwork is the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient.

Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school celebrated the students who demonstrated the character trait of teamwork at its Students of the Month ceremony. We want to congratulate our Atoms on showing what it means to be a great teammate, demonstrating the character trait of teamwork, and being May's Students of the Month! Congratulations, Atoms; keep up the great work.

Click here to view additional pictures from Syracuse Academy of Science elementary school’s May’s Students of the Month ceremony. Tune in each month as we share and celebrate the students selected for our monthly Students of the Month celebration.