The Eastport-South Manor Central School District received $30,000 in bullet aid from New York State, thanks to Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio. The additional funds will be used to fund the district’s science program.
Like a grant, bullet aid is a type of targeted funding given to schools, public libraries and nonprofit institutions in addition to appropriated state aid. School districts are thus able to allocate the additional monies for necessary programs and expenditures not already included in the annual district budget.
Eastport-South Manor Director of K-12 Science Dr. Jessica Mintz reported that the aid has been used to purchase a tower garden for each elementary school to teach students about hydroponics and sustainability.
The district also purchased new equipment for the Jr.-Sr. High School’s Project Lead the Way Program’s (PTLW) new aerospace course, including model rockets and additional vex robot parts. The PTLW Program’s Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering courses also received a Vernier Go Direct Structural Material tester and a Flex Plate Conversion Kit for 3D printers.
The Science Research Program will also benefit from the purchase of a poster printer, micro-centrifuges, magnetic hot plates, a micro growing rack and equipment to study micro-plastics.
“The Eastport-South Manor Central School District is so grateful for the Bullet Aid provided by Assemblywoman Giglio,” Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Steimel said. “The aid will go far in educating our students with state-of-the art equipment for years to come.”