About
The Keystone Programs
The KEYSTONE programs are an initiative of NextGen Immersions, LLC in partnership with the Carey Institute for Global Good in Rensselaerville, NY, where many of its workshops are hosted. Keystone and its mentors strive to inspire today’s young minds to set higher achievement goals and make meaningful contributions to our community, nurturing a brighter world and more vibrant future for the Capital Region.
Keystone annually touches the lives of over 1000 Capital Region students and their teachers. Most workshops are held at sites away from the students’ home schools to minimize distractions, integrate students from various school districts, and encourage teamwork and cooperation while participating in problem solving. Their teachers are introduced, through mentor modeling, to new teaching methods, especially the 5E model proven to be most effective in following the 3-dimensional system included in the NYS Science Learning Standards.
The Facilitators
Alison Miller is a retired Biology teacher with 32 years of classroom experience in the public school system. She holds an MS in Educational Communications and has taught all levels of biology from non-Regents to AP. She is the Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers (CIBT) Regional Coordinator for the Capital District and a guest speaker for molecular biology topics for area middle and high schools.
Marilou Pudiak-Town is a retired Earth Science and Chemistry teacher with 32 years of classroom experience in the public school system. She holds an MS in Science Education and taught all levels from non-Regents to AP. She is a volunteer educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rensselaer County 4-H and has volunteered at Hoosic Valley Elementary School since 2010.
Both women were mentors for Minds On of The Rensselaerville Institute and served as assistant coordinators for Minds On before becoming key facilitators for the NextGen Immersions, LLC Keystone programs. They have been consultants for teaching literacy and science to elementary teachers and have introduced the New York State Science Learning Standards and 5E lesson format to area school districts and elementary teachers. They are also members of the National Science Teachers Association.

TESTIMONIALS
