Schools host tech fair

The science of roller coasters, a French fashion show and lessons from a Civil War expert are just some of the topics students from 21 Catholic schools will present at the first Albany Diocesan Technology Showcase, March 9, 4-7 p.m., at the Thelma P. Lally Center for Education at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Admission is free.

At the showcase, students and teachers will demonstrate how computer technology has been incorporated into their lessons.

"The fair illustrates the emphasis placed on technology in Catholic schools," said Darlene Cardillo, director of educational technology for the diocesan Catholic Schools Office. "Through numerous grant collaborations, our schools have been able to acquire some of the latest technologies, such as laptops, hand-held computers and videoconferencing equipment."

Some examples of projects at the showcase include:

* students from Holy Spirit in East Greenbush displaying their Future City project, and sixth-graders using a Power Math board game and PowerPoint to review difficult math concepts;

* fourth-graders from St. Jude the Apostle in Wynantskill showing their Not-So-Simple Machines project;

* pupils from St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady using videoconferencing equipment for their spiders and roller coaster science projects;

* eighth-graders from St. James in Albany giving a PowerPoint presentation on a talk by a Civil War expert;

* children from Christ the King in Westmere designing brochures on local inventors;

* fifth-graders from the Academy of the Holy Names in Albany offering a French fashion show via PowerPoint;

* students from Catholic Central High School in Troy creating a website and giving an internet marketing program;

* students from St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam displaying their Future City project;

* seventh-graders from St. Mary/St. Alphonsus in Glens Falls offering a PowerPoint presentation on Fort William Henry; and

* sixth-graders from St. Mary's in Ballston Spa demonstrating their "Our Earth" project.

(Representatives from a variety of technology companies will be at the fair to show their products. For information, contact Darlene Cardillo at 453-6666.)

(3/3/05)