Saturday, February 7th, 2026: The Science Academies of New York proudly recognizes the SAS ATOMS Robotics Team for their outstanding performance at the Clarkson FTC Qualifier Tournament, held at Clarkson University.

Despite extreme winter weather conditions, the team demonstrated determination, preparation, and focus throughout the competition. Representing Syracuse Academy of Science were Samara, Kelaya, Elda, Aamiran, Kevin, Maimuna, Mahir, and Lester. Together, they successfully navigated qualification rounds, judging, and the early stages of competition through strong collaboration and technical skill.

Their performance earned the team the role of Alliance Captain during alliance selection, reflecting strategic excellence and leadership on the competition floor. The ATOMS advanced into the elimination rounds and competed in a closely contested semifinal match, finishing with a narrow score of 115–120.

In addition to their competitive success, the team was recognized with Second Place for the Connect Award, highlighting their commitment to outreach, collaboration, and engagement within the robotics community.

The Science Academies of New York extends sincere appreciation to Robotics Coach Mr. Kovar for his dedication, leadership, and support of the team, including transporting students to and from Clarkson University.

The SAS ATOMS Robotics Team is now preparing for the FTC Championship Tournament, which will take place at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) on March 7–8. SANY is proud of these scholars as they continue to represent their school and the network with excellence, perseverance, and pride.

Monday, February 9th, 2026: County Executive Ryan McMahon visited Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School as part of their Career Series!

He began his visit with a tour of the building led by our Student Ambassadors, followed by a discussion with a larger group of students. During the conversation, County Executive McMahon shared the responsibilities of his role, explained the different branches of government, and discussed where his position fits within them.

The students asked thoughtful questions about how he manages people and budgets, as well as what he enjoys most about his job. He shared that his favorite part is being out in the community and spending time with people. County Executive McMahon also spoke about the many career opportunities available to students who work hard and stay focused, and he invited them to visit the aquarium when it opens this summer.

Thank you, County Executive McMahon, for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with and inspire our scholars!

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Friday, February 6th, 2026: Science Academy of New York Charter School scholars took learning beyond the classroom with a hands-on visit to Crouse Health's Hospital Land! Watch the full field trip experience on our YouTube channel to see how students explored healthcare careers in action.

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026: The Science Academies of New York (SANY) is proud to celebrate the academic achievements of our Early College students who earned recognition at Onondaga Community College during the Fall 2025 semester. Several SANY scholars were named to the President’s and Provost’s Lists, reflecting their strong academic performance, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

Through SANY’s Early College program, students have the opportunity to earn college credits and, in some cases, an Associate Degree while still completing their high school diploma. This program allows students to save time and tuition costs while gaining valuable college-level experience that prepares them for future academic and career success.

SANY extends its sincere appreciation to Onondaga Community College for its continued partnership and support. Together, we are helping students accelerate their educational journeys and build a strong foundation for college, career, and beyond.

Saturday, January 17th, 2026: Students across the Science Academies of New York (SANY) network continue to engage in meaningful, hands-on STEM learning experiences that support college and career readiness. Recently, Syracuse Academy of Science Middle School students represented SANY at a VEX IQ Robotics competition, where they applied skills in programming, design, and engineering to solve complex challenges in a competitive setting.

Throughout the competition, students collaborated with their peers to strengthen teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. By designing, building, and programming their robots, students connected classroom learning to real-world engineering practices and developed critical thinking skills essential for future success.

Participation in events like the VEX IQ Robotics competition reflects SANY’s commitment to experiential STEM education across the district. These opportunities allow students to explore interests in robotics and engineering while building the skills and confidence needed for future academic pathways and STEM careers.

Saturday, January 17th, 2026: The Science Academies of New York (SANY) continues to provide students with real-world learning experiences that connect classroom instruction to future college and career pathways. Utica Academy of Science students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on STEM learning through a visit from SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

Working alongside SUNY Poly mentors, students explored drone technology while learning foundational engineering and design concepts. Through interactive activities, students gained insight into how drones are built, how they function, and how engineering principles are applied to solve real-world problems.

This experience encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and creative thinking, while reinforcing essential STEM skills such as problem-solving and collaboration. Exposure to college partners like SUNY Poly helps students better understand potential STEM career pathways and the educational opportunities available to them after high school.

SANY is grateful to SUNY Polytechnic Institute for investing in our students and helping inspire the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers. Partnerships like this reflect SANY’s ongoing commitment to college readiness, career exploration, and high-quality STEM education across all schools.

Wednesday, January 28th, 2026: SANY Elementary School Deans and Academic Coaches participated in professional development training with The Reading League, focused on deepening their understanding of the Science of Reading. This learning experience supports the Science Academies of New York’s commitment to delivering high-quality, research-based instruction that ensures every student develops the foundational skills needed for long-term academic success.

By investing in ongoing professional learning for school leaders and academic coaches, SANY continues to build strong instructional capacity across our elementary schools. This work aligns with our mission to prepare students for college, career, and citizenship by ensuring they are confident readers equipped to thrive in an ever-changing world.

This training reinforces SANY’s belief that effective literacy instruction is foundational to student achievement and that continuous learning for educators is essential to supporting scholar growth at every level.

Sunday, January 11th, 2026: The Science Academies of New York SANY robotics teams are off to an incredible start this season, showcasing talent, teamwork, and innovation across multiple competitions.

Utica Academy of Science Junior-Senior High School sent two outstanding teams to the FTC Utica MVCC Qualifier. The scholars demonstrated remarkable creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration under the guidance of mentor Mr. Uzumcu. Both teams performed with passion and determination, representing SANY with pride throughout the competition.

Meanwhile, the Syracuse Academy of Science High School robotics team, SAS ATOMS 7230, also competed at the Utica qualifier, delivering an exceptional performance. After advancing through the round matches, the team earned a spot in the finals and finished as the Second Alliance Captain Award recipient. In addition, SAS ATOMS 7230 received Second Place for the Innovate Award, recognizing engineering excellence, innovative design, and strategic problem-solving. These accomplishments secure their advancement to the FTC Excelsior Championship on March 7th.

Special thanks to Mr. Uzumcu and Mr. Kovar for their leadership, guidance, and support throughout the season.

Congratulations to all of our SANY robotics teams. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish at the Excelsior Championship!

Friday, November 14th, 2025: Several students from the Syracuse Academy of Science High School were invited to have lunch with SANY Superintendent Dr. Hayali and Board President Dr. Zaim, an Associate Professor of Management and Associate Dean at Alfred University. The scholars had the opportunity to have an open discussion with administrators. This special event provides our scholars with the chance to share their ideas, opinions, and perspectives on their education with leaders. 

Thank you, Dr. Zaim, for your time and partnership!