
Tuesday, April 14th, 2026: “They said, ‘It’s really pretty over here… what’s that area?’ I told them, ‘That’s the harbor,’ and they said, ‘Wow—you can really view everything from there! We should call it Harborview. It sounds very pretty!"- SANY parent Jennifer Coffey.
It’s official; two of our very own Syracuse Academy of Science Atoms have helped make local history!
Sisters Cailin and Riley Coffey proudly named Onondaga County’s newest attraction: the Harborview Aquarium. Earlier this year, County Executive Ryan McMahon announced a county-wide contest inviting students to submit name ideas for the new aquarium.
Out of many creative submissions, Cailin and Riley’s idea stood out for its beauty and connection to the surrounding harbor. Their thoughtful inspiration captured the essence of the location and made a lasting impression. McMahon also compared it to their marketing for the Lakeview amphitheater.
Today, McMahon visited SAS Elementary School to officially announce the winning name and recognize the students behind it. Cailin and Riley, along with their mother, celebrated this exciting moment together.
As a fun note, another name the family considered was “Shark Shack,” inspired by Riley’s love for sharks!
We are incredibly proud of our students for their creativity, imagination, and contribution to the community. Moments like these highlight the power of student voice and community connection!

Monday, April 6th, 2026: The Science Academies of New York (SANY) is proud to highlight an outstanding alumna, Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School (SASCS) Class of 2022 graduate Tahirah Abdul-Qadir.
Tahirah’s journey is a powerful example of determination, leadership, and purpose. A student at Syracuse University, she has already completed her studies a semester early while continuing to build an impressive list of accomplishments. Tahira is an international martial arts champion, an award-winning social justice advocate, and a young entrepreneur dedicated to empowering others.
Her passion for martial arts began at a very young age, and by age 14, she was already competing at the international level. During her time at Syracuse Academy of Science, Tahirah also launched the business, Fight Like a Girl, focused on empowering young girls, demonstrating both initiative and a strong commitment to making a difference in her community.
Tahirah returned to speak with 10th-grade students, sharing insights from her journey and encouraging them to set meaningful goals and remain persistent in achieving them. She emphasized the importance of discipline, resilience, and self-belief, while also recognizing the role her mentors and teachers at SASCS played in helping her reach her full potential.
SANY is proud to celebrate Tahirah Abdul-Qadir as a shining example of what our graduates can achieve. Her story continues to inspire current students to dream big, work hard, and lead with purpose.

Monday, March 23rd, 2026: The Syracuse Academy of Science High School gym was filled with curiosity, creativity, and discovery during this year’s Science Fair. Students proudly displayed their projects, demonstrating not only their knowledge of scientific concepts but also their ability to think critically, solve problems, and explore real-world challenges.
From innovative experiments to in-depth research presentations, each project reflected the hard work and dedication students have invested throughout the process. Scholars had the opportunity to present their findings to judges, explaining their methodologies, results, and the inspiration behind their work. This experience allowed them to strengthen their communication skills while gaining valuable feedback from professionals and educators.
The Science Fair at Syracuse Academy of Science High School is more than just a competition; it's an opportunity for students to embrace inquiry, challenge themselves, and ignite a passion for STEM. We are incredibly proud of our students for their commitment to excellence and their enthusiasm for discovery.
We are excited to see how these young scientists continue to grow, explore, and shape the future.

Monday, March 9, 2026: Syracuse Academy of Science Elementary School celebrated a special milestone as one of our Atoms redeemed 750 Dojo points to become Principal for the Day.
Ms. Burnett, a 2nd grade student, spent the day shadowing Mrs. Miller and learning about the many responsibilities that come with leading a school. She greeted students as they arrived, joined Mrs. Miller for a morning walkthrough of the building to say good morning to each classroom, participated in two classroom read-alouds, and even sat in on an interview. She also had the opportunity to work at the principal’s desk while completing an assignment.
As part of her special day, Ms. Burnett invited two friends to join her for a celebratory lunch with Mrs. Miller in the principal’s office.
We are incredibly proud of Ms. Burnett for her dedication and hard work in earning and saving her Dojo points. She did an outstanding job stepping into the role of principal for the day!

Wednesday, March 11th, 2026: Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse Elementary was pleased to welcome Deputy Dixon III and Deputy Flournory from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office back to our school this year to speak with our scholars.
Their continued partnership and commitment to our school community mean a great deal to our students and staff. During their visit, they spoke with students across multiple grade levels, answered thoughtful questions, and shared insights into their roles in public service.
Through conversations like these, our students gain a better understanding of community leadership while building trust and positive relationships. We are grateful for their ongoing support and dedication to our scholars and look forward to continuing this strong partnership in the years to come.

Saturday, March 7th, 2026: The FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics Team from Utica Academy of Science Charter School Junior-Senior High proudly represented the school at the New York State Championship held at Mohawk Valley Community College.
While they weren’t competing, our students stepped up to volunteer and give back to the robotics community, helping event organizers run a smooth and successful competition. Throughout the day, they assisted teams, supported event staff, and ensured everything ran seamlessly.
We are proud of our students for demonstrating leadership, teamwork, and a strong commitment to STEM, all while representing our school with professionalism.

Wednesday, March 4th, 2026: Students from the Science Academies of New York (SANY), along with fellow SANY administrators, participated in the 2026 Lobby Days in Albany. Scholars from Syracuse Academy of Science, Citizenship & Science Academy of Syracuse, and Utica Academy of Science had the opportunity to visit the state capital and engage in an important civic learning experience.
During the visit, students engaged in meaningful conversations with legislators and learned more about the legislative process. The experience provided scholars with a firsthand look at how civic engagement and advocacy can make a difference in their communities.
Opportunities like Lobby Days help empower SANY students to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and understand the importance of making their voices heard. We are proud of the way our scholars represented the SANY community with professionalism, preparation, and a commitment to leadership.
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026: Carrying on a legacy… and creating new memories along the way!
Ronette Powell, a 2016 Syracuse Academy of Science graduate, knows these halls well. Now, the daughter she carried as a senior is following in her mother’s footsteps! Ronette says the care and support she received from teachers left such a lasting impression that she couldn’t imagine sending her child anywhere else.
We’re proud to watch the next generation of SAS Atoms continue our tradition of excellence, resilience, and community!

Thursday, February 19th, 2026: Our SANY deans didn’t take a break this mid-winter break. They spent it learning, planning, and preparing for an incredible spring semester! From reviewing academic data and test-prep plans to strengthening student services and curriculum supports, our deans are leading with purpose.
One of the highlights of Day 1: training in the New Art and Science of Teaching framework by Dr. Robert J. Marzano himself, empowering our teams to elevate classroom practice across all campuses.
We’re so grateful for their dedication to our students, staff, and school communities!

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!