Dutch Neck Elementary School PTA Science Day featured scientific presentations and experiments on April 4. More than 100 speakers and 80 parent volunteers worked to make the full day of science a success.
“I think this unique, community-based event promotes the love of science to our children and shows them learning can actually be fun,” says Jackie Agogliati, chair of the event. “My husband (John) is a former chemical engineer, so science is a strong component within our home, and we are both quantitative parents with career fields held in the finance world. Chairing this event does fall into our everyday lives and personalities.”
Agogliati sat on the science day committee and co-chaired this committee while her daughter Ashley, who will enter fifth grade at Village School next year, was going through Dutch Neck. She took over chairing the event this year and will continue as her son John, a rising first grader, attends Dutch Neck. Everyone in the family is active in the community through the school district, PTA, community organizations, and sports.
“Former chair Donna Tomfordhe has been a great mentor for preparing me for this role for the next few years, and though she is stepping down, she will still remain active on the committee,” says Agogliati.
Participants offered 35 to 40-minute hands-on science presentations appropriate for students in kindergarten through grade three. Presenters were from other WW-P schools, Rider and Princeton universities, NASA, FAA, US Department of Energy, wildlife preserves, NJDEP, and more.
“The year-long amount of work that goes into planning this event is well worth it once I see the smiling faces on the children and the compliments made by our presenters as to how well run and grand this event is,” says Agogliati. “I also cannot thank the community enough for all the support they give to this event, from being a presenter to donating fabulous food and beverages.”
