Hauppauge HS Science Teacher Receives STEM Star Award: 'Beacon Of Light'

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Hauppauge High School science teacher Dennis Petercsak received the 2024 STEM Star Teacher Award from the Long Island STEM Education Leadership Association, the school district announced, congratulating Petercsak for the recognition.

Petercsak has taught a wide variety of courses during his 15 years at Hauppauge High School, including biology, IB computer science, regents physics, AP physics 1 and AP physics C: electricity and magnetism. He also helped to develop a project-based half-year physics course made accessible to a wider range of students because of its focus on big ideas without all of the mathematical equations.

Petercsak has been one of the advisers to the Science Olympiad Team and has helped the team make it to the state competition for the past five years. He also helps Hauppauge High School host the Eastern Long Island Regional Science Olympiad Competition.

"Mr. Petercsak has been a beacon of light for his students," said Director of Science and Research Dr. Robert Wankmuller in a news release.