Baldwin moves full ‘STEAM’ ahead with STEM event

Baldwin elementary school families were invited to experience a fun, hands-on spectacular STEAM night, hosted by Baldwin Union Free School District.

The inaugural event was split into two sessions. One for grades K-2 and another for grades 3-5. The district’s elementary STEAM educator Lynette O’Brien, along with her ‘STEAM Dream Team’— Emily Bascelli, Tricia Wilder, and Michele Kourie—planned and coordinated the stimulating evening. Teacher volunteers and the PTAs also provided support.

In the school gymnasium, the PTAs, who helped with decorating, even hung mylar balloons that spelled out STEAM. Students and their families appreciated the opportunity to engage in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities together.

“STEAM instruction is so valuable. It ignites the imagination and allows students to engage in hands-on experiential learning,” said O’Brien. “The STEAM Nights were a true success—students and family members clearly enjoyed the event.”

Both evenings kicked off with an exhibition, where students and their families walked from table to table to see the eye-opening exhibits and innovative projects taking place at each of the elementary schools in Baldwin.

Students, teachers, and administrators were present to help showcase and explain the work.

Exhibits included Baldwin High School’s Science Olympiads, Future Teachers of America, Plaza Elementary School’s Team ORCHID and Plaza Pickles, the Wellness Initiative, and Meadow Elementary School’s Future Problem Solvers’ little free library—Project B.A.L.D.W.I.N.

After the exhibition, Mad Science of Long Island put on a fun, interactive, and engaging STEM show, taking scientific experiments to the next level of entertainment. For the younger grades, Mad Science hosted an evening of “Fire & Ice.” Students were amazed by the swooshes of fire and bubbly showers.

For grades 3-5, Mad Science dazzled with the effects of “Spin, Pop, Boom!” Everyone in the audience was enthralled by the exotic sounds of the didgeridoo tubes. The finale featuring an explosion of foam left the crowd—both the children and adults alike—wanting more.

“The Mad Science show was great. So many students were able to participate in the show and act as assistants to the ‘Mad Scientist,’” said O’Brien. “The kids could not contain their excitement, and parents enjoyed the show, as well.”

The final act of STEAM Night called for the students to disperse into classrooms to work on their own special age-appropriate experiment. Grades K-2 created ‘gum-drop structures’ before heading home with their own copy of Sydney & Simon: Full STEAM Ahead by Paul A. Reynolds. The third through fifth graders constructed lava lamps from household ingredients—plastic jars, cooking oil, Alka-Seltzer, and food coloring. Like the younger group, the students received a book, but from the Horrible Science series written by Nick Arnold.

“Both evenings were equally exciting,” said O’Brien. “From beginning to end, it was a fantastic event thanks to everyone involved!”

  — Ben Fiebert