Adopt-A-School Overview

What is Adopt-A-School (AAS)?
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The Santa Fe Alliance for Science (SFAFS) initiated in 2018 an innovative Adopt-A-Schoool program to provide ongoing STEM learning experiences for students, their families, and school faculty at a specific shool. The Adopt-A-School Program offers unique opportunities to our Nina Otero Community School (NOCS) to support their teachers and students with scientists, engineers, and other STEM volunteers. The Adopt-A-School Program is one of 30 programs to receive the 2021-2022 ACT on Health Equity: Community Solutions Challenge grant from AstraZeneca. This support helps us to expand the AAS programming to meet the needs of Nina Otero. 

The AAS Site Coordinators work closely with the Co-Leads of the Program and the volunteers to tailor all activities to the specific needs of Nina’s school population including the summer science program, class science experiment demonstrations, science fair preparations, and assisting regularly in grades 2-8. The goal of the AAS Program is to make available academic support from a dedicated team of SFAFS volunteers who serve as powerful role models and wrap-around STEM services to the elementary and middle school students and teachers. The AAS monthly presentations bring SFAFS volunteers to all students at NOCS.
Our 2021-2022 Adopt-A-School Partner

Nina Otero Community School:
  • Principal: Trish Gharrity
  • AAS Site Coordinators:
Brenda Dominguez, 4th Grade Teacher 
Alicia Ayala, 2nd Grade Teacher 
Karrye Ramos, 8th Grade Teacher
Principal Garrity states: 

​"Nina Otero benefits greatly from the Santa Fe Alliance for Science. We are lucky to be part of the Adopt-A-School initiative. At Nina Otero, we are pushing our focus as a STEAM school which encompasses project-based learning. Many SFAFS members volunteer regularly at our school to teach lessons, tutor, and help students with understanding content in Science and Math by providing rich and engaging hands-on experiences. Volunteers also help support our STEAM fair every year. We are so grateful for the Santa Fe Alliance for Science and all the work and effort they give to our wonderful community!"
How does AAS work?
Each year, we partner (through an application process) with select elementary schools (K-6 or K-8) to coordinate a variety of STEM activities such as:
  • Classroom presentations and experiments led by “real scientists” and STEM education experts who team up with teachers.
  • Real-life STEM discovery activities.
  • School-based family STEM/STEAM events.
  • Student STEM fair coaching and judging.
  • Student tutoring in STEM topics.
  • Science and language literacy professional development (PD) and ready to use lessons.
  • After school STEM offerings.
How can AAS benefit a school?
STEM professionals assist with STEM activities in a school to:
  • Build student and teacher knowledge and confidence in STEM subjects.
  • Enhance current lessons and help schools implement Next Generation Science Standards.
  • Help students understand how STEM relates to everyday life.
  • Expose students to STEM career paths.
  • Develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Extend STEM learning during the summer
Our AAS Team Members
Program Co-Leads:
  • Judy Reinhartz Ph.D.
  • Hubert van Hecke, Ph.D.​
Committee Members:
  • Kathy Brechner
  • ​Andres Villa​
For further information contact Judy Reinhartz