It's full STEAM ahead — at home — for Lynbrook students

Although schools are closed, learning has not stopped in the Lynbrook Public Schools.

Elementary school students from across the district are turning their homes into science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — or STEAM — classrooms with the help of their school’s respective library media specialist, including Meghan Ceglie at Waverly Park, Heather LaBarbera at West End and Marie Sarro-Pizarro at Marion Street.

The specialists have been conducting weekly virtual STEAM challenges for students while schools are closed during the  coronavirus pandemic.

Together, the three educators have collaborated to bring their students fun and challenging projects to participate in either individually or with loved ones at home.

The goal is to help the students continue to build their skills, while also staying connected to their school community. Challenges that have been completed include a pom pom drop, a basketball tower and a wind anemometer challenge. The hands-on projects encourage engineering and problem-solving skills, along with team work if students engage in the activities with a family member.

After completing their STEAM challenge for the week, students are encouraged to share pictures and videos with their school's specialist, who also gets in on the fun. Ceglie, LaBarbera and Sarro-Pizarro have created videos for their students, showcasing how they completed the STEAM projects with their loved ones at home.

In addition to the STEAM challenges, the library media specialists have also assigned digital lessons for students in keyboard proficiently through TypingClub.com and computer coding through Code.org.

Courtesy Lynbrook Public Schools; compiled by Mike Smollins