Business leaders, faculty members and educators from Oswego to Africa gathered in Sheldon Hall earlier this summer to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Project SMART (Science/Mathematics Applied Resources for Teaching), a K-12 education initiative designed to emphasize the importance of math, science and technology in today’s world.

SUNY Oswego President Deborah F. Stanley welcomed the guests and encouraged them to celebrate their many achievements. She also gave special recognition to Project SMART partners from Benin in Africa, saying that the international connection added a “dimension that deepens understanding and reaches beyond what we imagined the project could reach.”

Professor Marcia Burrell speaks at the 20th Reunion of Project SMART. At right are Dr. Nathan Swift and Dr. C. Thomas  Gooding, co-founders of  the educational initiative.

Current Co-Directors Barbara Beyerbach '74 and Marcia Burrell and former directors Sue Weber and Pat Russo '72 recognized founders Tom Gooding and Nathan Swift for establishing an atmosphere of collaboration, mentoring and high expectations through the program.

“These men left us a legacy for interdisciplinary teaching,” Russo said, “and also of teaching beyond borders…of ‘business as usual.’”

Gooding said that the project was designed to meet the needs of both industry leaders and educators.  “Businesses felt that educators didn’t understand their needs,” he said, “and teaching is a difficult job.” By bringing the different parties to the table, Project SMART encouraged partners to collaborate and allow students to be “the ultimate beneficiaries.”

Swift credited the caliber of staff and partners for the initiative’s longevity. “We have worked with the very best people,” he said. “They have helped to make Project SMART so successful.”

More than 70 Project SMART teachers from Oswego and Onondaga counties and New York City come together each summer to develop interdisciplinary math, science and technology curricula that will inspire K-12 students to explore careers in those fields. Project SMART focuses on five points: math, science or technology content, technology application, real-world application, inquiry learning and diversity.

 “Learning has to be meaningful,” Gooding said.  And project partners have consistently put his words to work.

Across Oswego and Onondaga counties, 10 Project SMART classes have organized career fairs, set off water rockets, led wildlife observations and more. Project SMART Grant Coordinator Sue Witmer '02 works closely with partner teachers that develop and create new projects each year, supporting field trips, curriculum development, guest speakers and materials that further enhance the learning experience.

“It’s really fun to work with motivated professionals with our future at heart,” Witmer said. “We are bringing fun, innovative and creative ideas with the hope that students will become excited and interested in (math, science and technology) related careers.”

Witmer said that improved school attendance and New York State English Language Arts test scores are evidence of the project’s impact and importance. She said that many students anticipate entering a Project SMART-sponsored class and always give positive feedback at the end of the school year. Some of that feedback was displayed on presentation boards summarizing teacher projects from the past year.

“Building rockets was a life-time experience,” wrote a student named Courtney. Another student from Oswego named Lexie wrote, “I had a great time. I want to do it again.” 

The Entergy Corp. in Scriba is a major sponsor of the Project SMART initiative, supporting math, science and technology applications in the classroom like geocaching and analyzing the pH of ice cream. Manager of Communications Bonnie Bostian '86 said that Project SMART produces “amazing results” for students throughout Central New York.

“Entergy is . . .the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States,” she said, “We’re interested in helping to educate our youth for our future workforce development and this is a great opportunity to do so.”

Project leaders continue to work toward maintaining the “vibrant, current and compelling” atmosphere recognized by President Stanley. 

“Project SMART is about the participants,” said Beyerbach. “There’s a soul and spirit of this project that has a life of its own.”

— Meagan Smith '07