October 23, 2026

South Colonie Alumni Visit Lisha Kill to Inspire the Next Generation of Tech Leaders

Two girls sit at a table in a classroom building a spinning fan with circuit kit

Lisha Kill Middle School students had exciting hands-on learning opportunities on Friday, Oct. 23 through the University at Albany’s College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering.

Visiting professors and PhD students, two of whom are South Colonie alumni, led sessions on semiconductors and circuits for middle school students.

A student leans in closely to examine a small object on a table.

Given larger-than-life scenarios, fifth and sixth grade students in the circuits session had to use electrical circuit kits to turn on lights, spin fans, and even devices to send an SOS signals. In a separate session on quantum and nanoscience, seventh and eighth grade students had to identify electrons as both a wave and as a particle.

“It was an exciting opportunity,” said Alex Rollo, STEM/Technology teacher. “Both are rapidly growing fields, and this experience is designed to expose our students to cutting-edge technologies and potential local career paths.”

These sessions were an engaging preview to their visit to the NY Creates Nano Center campus coming up this winter.