Monday, June 16, 2025
A group of students from Meadow Elementary School is working diligently to improve the dog run at Baldwin Harbor Park as part of a community project that blends creativity with problem solving.
The students, members of the school’s Future Problem Solvers program, are raising funds to plant flowers and greenery in the dog park’s open spaces. Their goal is to make the park, on Grand Avenue, more vibrant and welcoming for local residents and their pets.
“Every year, the students who are chosen to be in the club decide on a passion project they really care about,” Emily Clark, a teacher at Meadow, said. “We try to give them some ideas to brainstorm and spark thoughts, because we really want it to be student-driven.”
The students identified Baldwin’s dog park as a project site after learning many of them are dog owners. Although most said they don’t currently visit the park, they expressed interest in improving it for the community.
The initiative is part of the broader Future Problem Solvers program, which encourages students to address real-world challenges using creative thinking and innovative solutions. Founded in 1974 by Dr. E. Paul Torrance, the program promotes critical thinking and helps students develop a vision for the future.
Over the years, Meadow students have tackled a variety of local issues. Last year, they focused on raising awareness about the endangered piping plover and supporting conservation efforts across Long Island. That project earned the fourth and fifth grade students first place in the Junior Division.
To fund the beautification of the dog park, students launched a GoFundMe campaign to collect donations for plants, flowers and other materials. As of press time, they have raised more than $1,000 with a set goal of $15,000
The funds will also help cover costs for Meadow students planning to attend this year’s Future Problem Solvers International Competition at Indiana University, where students from around the world will showcase their problem-solving abilities.
Sweety Singh, a Meadow parent, experienced the competition when her daughter, Maya, was in the club. Now, her son, Niam, is following in his sister’s footsteps.
“We have a dog, and he would love to take him to the dog park, so this is definitely a special project for him,” Singh said. “It hits home for him.”
Participants will present their projects, attend workshops and take part in special events, such as the opening and awards ceremonies.
“I really believe this is a problem-solving competition, and that’s truly what the students are doing,” Clark said. “They’re identifying a problem in their local community, working on different solutions, and troubleshooting when things don’t go their way. They find a way to keep moving forward.
“These are transferable life skills,” she added, “and now they’re bringing them to the international stage to represent their community.”
To donate, visit Gofundme.com/f/meadow-future-problem-solvers-2025.
