Young scientists in Astoria
Houses will soon be able to
explore their ecosystem with
BioBus, a science education
nonprofit with a mission
to help people cultivate a
wonder for science and a
deeper understanding of the world
around them.
Astoria Councilman Costa Constantinides
held a Zoom press conference
on Thursday, Sept. 24, to announce the
new development, which comes after a
yearslong partnership with BioBus and
the Astoria Houses.
“BioBus has already been an amazing
partner here in western Queens, to
introduce more people to the wonders
of science,” said Constantinides. “I am
so excited we can mark Climate Week
26 OCTOBER 2 0 2 0
by making BioBus a permanent fixture
at the Astoria Houses. This will continue
the Hallets Point peninsula’s revolution
into a leader on sustainability.”
Thanks to a $304,000 allocation secured
by Constantinides in the city’s
2021 fiscal budget, BioBus will be able
to purchase a new mobile lab for the site.
Community leaders Bishop Mitchell
G. Taylor and Astoria Houses Residents
Association President Claudia Cogler
were also in attendance during the conference,
each expressing their delight
of the permanent installation.
Ben Dubin-Thaler, the executive director
and founder of BioBus, showcased
some of the lab features of one of their
mobile buses, such as electron microscopes,
and its accessibility-friendly
design.
The permanent mobile lab at Astoria
Houses will become a living classroom,
with plans to install a solar array to power
it exclusively with renewable energy.
“The mentorship that’s going to be
part of this project is critical for us,” said
Dubin-Thaler, thanking Constantinides,
Bishop Taylor and Cogler for their leadership.
“You’re the political leaders,
the community leaders that convinced
somebody like me, a scientist, to devote
my career to inspiring the next generation
of scientists, especially young scientists
who don’t usually have that opportunity
in their communities.”
The new lab is slated to finish construction
by the end of 2021.
In the meantime, Dubin-Thaler encourages
interested pupils to visit biobus.
org for weekly live student town
EDUCATION
A Permanent Home for BioBus
Science education program to set up permanent site at Astoria Houses
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
FROM
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