Local scholars accepted to LI’s first science high school

Four Baldwin students will attend the Doshi STEM Program at Nassau BOCES. From left are Kelsi King, Killian Banks, Janvi Pamnani and Luiza DaMotta.

Courtesy Nassau BOCES

Four Baldwin students, Killian Banks, Kelsi King, Luiza DaMotta and Janvi Pamnani, have been accepted into the inaugural class of Doshi STEM Program at the Nassau Board of Cooperative Educational Services of Nassau County (BOCES) — Long Island’s first high school focused on science.

The teenagers will be part of a pioneering program and were selected only after undergoing a rigorous admissions process that evaluated academic performance, extracurriculars, recommendations and a core interest science, technology, engineering and math (the STEM subjects). The first class of students at the Doshi program will receive instruction from scientists and engineers from respected institutions like Brookhaven National and Cold Spring Harbor laboratories. They will begin their coursework in the ninth grade and pursue a challenging course of study in engineering, research, robotics, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.

“Participating districts such as Baldwin are showing true visionary spirit by providing their students with an outstanding opportunity to learn alongside scientists from internationally recognized institutions in a way that wouldn’t be possible in a single district,” said Dr. Thomas Rogers, District Superintendent of Nassau BOCES. “The caliber of the students is outstanding. They are passionate about these subjects and excited to be able to work with peers who share their enthusiasm.”

Baldwin’s Banks says he was born to be a scientist. “Everything in the world involves and has to do with science,” he says. “That’s why it interests me so much.” Banks’ classmate Pamnani is also thrilled about her upcoming opportunity. “I’m excited to work with experienced scientists in their labs,” she says. “I can’t wait to work with peers that have the same interests as me.”

King believes the education she will receive at Doshi will help her build a positive future. “Science, technology, engineering and math are the foundations for today’s society,” she says. “This program will give me the edge I’ll need to be successful.”

DaMotta says she applied to the program because, “I want to challenge myself and work with students who have the same values and education as me. We can learn and bounce ideas off each other.”

In addition to attracting students from Baldwin, children in the Doshi STEM Program come from Hicksville, Malverne, Oyster Bay-East Norwich, Uniondale and Westbury. To see the students and learn about their career aspirations, visit nassauboces.org/STEM. The Doshi STEM Program will be located in a wing of the Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset. Classes start on Sept. 4.