News
News items are listed chronologically. To read a news item, click on the link to access the information.
- National Science Olympiad (Posted 11/13/08)
- 2009 National Youth Science Camp (Posted 11/13/08)
- Test Manuals for School Administrators and Teachers including the 2008 School Administrator's Manual (Posted 5/30/08)
- Important Notice: Change to June 2008 Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science (Posted 4/18/08)
- Education Law-Section 809 Instruction in the Humane Treatment of Animals (Posted 1/16/2007)
- Mercury in Schools - Q & A for Schools (Posted 9/1/2004)
National Science Olympiad
The State Education Department, in cooperation with the National Science Olympiad and the New York State Science Olympiad, invites your students to participate in a Statewide Science Olympiad competition. Teams of students from public and nonpublic middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools are eligible for participation in this event. This New York Statewide Olympiad will consist of academic, interscholastic competitions between individuals and between teams. Registered students would prepare during the year for scheduled regional, state, and possibly national competitions. Competitions follow the formats of popular board games, Olympic games, and TV shows. These challenging and motivational events are well balanced among the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics, and technology. There is also a balance between events requiring knowledge of science content, concepts, processes, skills, and applications. Competitive teams will be made up of students from grades 6-9 and from grades 9-12. Additional information and registration forms may be found at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/olympiad.html.
2009 National Youth Science Camp
Applications to attend the 2009 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) are now available online at http://www.nysc.org/2009 
. Two graduating high school students will be selected to represent New York at the all-expenses paid honors program which will be held from July 1 through July 25, 2009. To apply, please download the application packet from http://www.nysc.org/2009 and follow the enclosed instructions. For more information about the NYSC, please visit http://www.nysc.org . For questions about the application process, please contact Will Jaacks, New York State Selection Coordinator, at 518-474-5922 or by e-mail at ajaacks@mail.nysed.gov. The NYSC is hosted and operated by the National Youth Science Foundation (http://www.nysf.com ). Applications are due to the state selection coordinator no later than January 23, 2009.
Test Manuals for School Administrators and Teachers including the 2008 School Administrator's Manual
Test Manuals for School Administrators and Teachers including the 2008 School Administrator's Manual are available at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/sam/.
Important Notice: Change to June 2008 Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science
An important notice concerning the revision of the new June 2008 Physical Setting/Earth Science Performance Test (Part D) and a significant change in the procedures for students retaking the Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Earth Science has been posted on the Department's website. This information may be accessed at: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/scire/earthscience-performance.pdf.
In addition to reviewing this notice yourself, it is of critical importance that it be distributed either electronically or in printed form to all Earth Science teachers in your school and any other staff members who will be involved in the administration of this Regents Examination. We welcome any questions you may have on this or any other aspect of New York State's testing programs. Please direct all inquiries to us at emscassessinfo@mail.nysed.gov.
Education Law-Section 809 Instruction in the Humane Treatment of Animals
Legislative Language
Waiver Process - 809(5)#160; Treatment of Live Vertebrate Animals 
(172 KB)
Mercury in Schools - Q & A for Schools
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) law affecting the presence and use of mercury and mercury added products in all New York State elementary and secondary schools took effect on September 4, 2004 (Senate Bill 7399-B).
Specific questions regarding the impact on schools due to this law are addressed in the document at http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/facplan/Emergency/mercury_law_QA_101904.html.
Included are directions and information on the disposal of mercury and mercury added products presently used in schools across New York State.