By:Jason Scheer
The 17-acre preserve, long known for being a dumping ground, is now home to The Center for Science Teaching and Learning (CSTL), a non-profit organization dedicated to hands-on science learning and increasing science literacy.
Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, one of the center's directors, said the organization is beginning to establish itself in the community. It has been asking local school boards and PTA's to distribute material and raise awareness of the science center. It is important, she said, to let people know that the land is now an asset to its neighbors, not an eyesore.
"We're taking land and making a beautiful learning space out of something that used to have old couches and sinks thrown into it," she said. "This is a preserve, so it forever has to remain open space. I think it's important because this is a place nestled in the middle of real development. But it's great because people come here and they immediately go, 'aaah.' They feel that there's a neat little pocket here to relax."
Coordination efforts have already produced positive results. "West Hempstead Schools and Malverne schools have all gotten to know us and have been working with letting the kids know we're here and how to get involved," Havasy said.
Gail Bennington, chairperson of science and health for Malverne schools, said the district will take advantage of having the preserve in its backyard. She has met with Havasy regarding the programs and affiliation and will introduce the idea of utilizing the grounds at an upcoming department meeting.
Preliminary talks have centered around having A.P. Biology students in the high school work on the grounds, marking field positions. As for other programs, Bennington hopes to further integrate the preserve into the curriculum next school year. The hands-on nature of the preserve will prove invaluable to students, she said.
"When you're looking at science as a hands-on approach, you're reaching more kids," she said. "Visually they're there, touching it, feeling it, seeing it rather than reading it out of a book and seeing a picture."
In addition to school children, the land will be a haven for senior citizens. Havasy and the other directors have met with the developers of the Golden Age Community being constructed on Ocean Avenue and the residents of the community will have immediate access to the pond area.
Right now, the grounds are home to an enormous pond, a renovated building that will serve as the children's center and a yet-to-be completed computer and science lab. But Havasy hopes that when people think of the preserve, they see more than buildings.
"We're hopeful that this becomes a real community space," she said. "We want the community to feel welcome to use the space, come have a picnic and come and enjoy the park."
Science education will just be a natural byproduct of enjoying the grounds. For example, after picnicking on the grounds on a Saturday afternoon, visitors can participate in pond studies and tag along on nature walks.
All parts of the preserve will serve to compliment each other, she said. Those interested in doing pond studies, for example, will collect sediments and samples from the water and take them to the computer lab to run extensive tests. Then they will be able to discuss the findings in groups in the community building.
Last weekend, the CSTL hosted its first Saturday Science program. The program was designed to give kids in the community an opportunity to build, invent and conduct a wide variety of science experiments. Saturday Science gives each child an opportunity to invent some of the silliest contraptions that float, fly or flop - and provides an informal setting for creative thinking and science learning.
In the future, Havasy said the CSTL will offer a myriad of program choices, from a rocketry program that will be launched in March to a Weekly Science Movie Night, which will begin in the summer.
Furthermore, the grounds will offer a Sci-Tech Summer Camp Program at Tanglewood. Havasy said this would be an opportunity for kids with a passion for science to learn through teamwork, experimentation and play. It would also be a great introduction for children with limited science backgrounds as well.
While the CSTL looks to become a rock in the community, it is asking neighbors for help creating a firm foundation. Havasy said the biggest challenge faced by the program, even more than exposure, is renovating the buildings and grounds. She urges people to stop by and lend their services to a good cause.
"Whatever people's area of expertise is, whether it's swinging a hammer or it's gardening, we would love to create a group of volunteers," Havasy said.
Fund-raising efforts are also under way. For $150, interested patrons can buy a brick that will be placed on the grounds. The purchaser's name will be etched into the brick and will serve as an everlasting reminder of the contributions.
All efforts have the end-goal of creating an accessible learning environment. Havasy said that people have an irrational fear or disdain for science, even though it has far-reaching implications.
"It really doesn't matter if you're a scientist or not, but if you have a stagnant kitty pool in your backyard, you should know where mosquito's lay their eggs," Havasy said.
To contact Havasy at CTSL, call (516) 764-0045.
Comments about this story? Mal-wheditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000, ext. 240.
