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KAPL encourages employees to support their community and participate in activities and programs that demonstrate good corporate citizenship..
United Way
Employees are able to participate (through payroll deduction) in the United Way Program. Money can be directed by the employee, in any amount, to non-profit organizations of their choice or to various United Way agencies.
KAPL NOVA (Network of Volunteer Associates) Society
 The KAPL NOVA Society is dedicated to the principle that by joining together our financial support, volunteer time and technical skills, we can truly make more of a difference in our community than we can as individuals. Membership consists of employees and retirees who contribute toward or participate as volunteers in community and/or education outreach projects. NOVA's school programs run the gambit from science demonstrations, meant to inspire young minds toward a career in science and engineering, to team competitions where local high schools compete using their knowledge of science. NOVA's community programs range from involvement in Concerned for the Hungry to March of Dimes, American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army. Employees interested in being volunteer leaders may champion a cause of interest to them. Some NOVA programs that have been supported in the past include:
- Ask a Scientist
For those wishing to learn more, an e-mail program allows students to ask science questions and get answers from KAPL engineers/scientists.
- Junior Achievement
This program teaches middle school students the basics of business.
- MathCounts
A national math competition supported in Schenectady and Saratoga schools.
- Physics of Flight
A program where NOVA volunteers demonstrate Newton's Laws of Physics with a dramatic demonstration using model rockets.
- Project Apollo
This program provides students with the story of our nation's race to the moon. A scale model of the Apollo rocket and video of Neil Armstrong's first walk on the moon are used.
 Science Magic Show
This program has been in existence for 11 years. Many principles of science are demonstrated to students in a fun manner.
- Submarines and Science
A discussion of life on a submarine with a demonstration of buoyancy.
- Electricity Demonstration
A program designed to enhance the fourth grade electricity curriculum. Magnetism and high voltage static electricity are demonstrated in this hair-raising program.
- Light and Sound Demonstration
The principles of light, sound and wave transmission are discussed.
- Saturday Scholars
Saturday science programs for students are currently held at Shenendehowa, Gowana and Ballston Spa Middle Schools.
- DOE National Science Bowl
NOVA volunteers write questions and, together with the GE Elfun Society, run the local competition. Eighteen local high schools compete for a trip to the national competition in Washington, D.C.
- Odyssey of the Mind Competition
A national competition of the mind, which stretches creativity and teamwork to solve a problem. Local schools compete with the help of NOVA volunteer coaches.
- Union College Rube Goldberg Competition
Students from local middle and high schools compete to make a Rube Goldberg-type of device out of a pre-selected list of materials. NOVA provides judges.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Science and Technology Magnet School
The KAPL Diversity Council and NOVA have teamed up to bring this inner city school science demonstration programs, math tutoring programs and "visiting scientist" programs. The visiting scientist program involves a KAPL employee visiting with a group of students and discussing science and engineering careers.
Philanthropy
KAPL's Philanthropy Program provides funding support to recognized activities in the non-profit fields of education, health & human services, cultural activities and civic affairs. Contact Michelle Bennett at (518) 395-4400 for more information.
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