Thursday, October 1, 2026
Students, teachers and local organizations were recognized at Hempstead High School’s second annual STEAM night showcasing student-led projects focused on community impact.
The school’s atrium was filled with students from elementary through high school on May 14 presenting a range of topics that centered on this question: “What can I do through school to help my community?”
STEAM expands on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) by including the arts. Both are an expanded approach to teaching and learning technical subjects. Hempstead High students approached this project through an inquisitive-focused lens, since the district is an International Baccalaureate institution. This academic program is a framework that emphasizes critical thinking and research.
Displays included 3D-printed models and tri-fold presentations on topics varying from environmental sustainability and infrastructure to fashion design and engineering using recycled materials.
Matthew Martinez, a third grader, focused on environmental alternatives that could help his community. His group designed and printed a model electric car using a 3D-printer.
“We designed an electric car because electric cars don’t really pollute the air as much as normal cars,” Martinez said, adding that he wanted to raise awareness about air pollution in his community.
Other students considered a sustainable approach using fashion. The high school’s fashion class presented several original handmade designs, showing the intersection between creativity and technical skill. Before joining, senior Rose Campion had no prior sewing experience, but after taking both classes, she discovered a new passion.
“A lot of people question if fashion deserves to be a part of STEM, and I feel like fashion is STEM,” Campion said. “Everything STEM represents, we do in fashion, from knowing how much the fabric weighs to seeing how it drapes on the mannequin, from understanding how much we need to cut off and angling it so we can sew properly. It’s all STEM,” she said.
Campion plans to study biology in the fall but hopes to continue using these skills in the real world by creating customized shirts, printouts or bracelets as a side business or as gifts. “I’ll be able to know how to make my own pieces if I want to, so I don’t have to spend a lot of money and buy something unnecessary when I can just make it myself.”
Administration couldn’t have been prouder. Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Richard Brown, believes these student projects are more than just presentations.
“It’s called giving students voice, choice, and agency,” Brown said. “Allowing students to be their own leaders in picking a topic and how to approach their research “is what builds their inquiry, engagement, and that’s what learning now, at a high standard, is all about,” he added.
These projects are no typical school presentation; it’s several months of interdisciplinary instruction, investigation and trial. The STEAM program is part of the school’s curriculum, focusing heavily on inquiry-based research. All projects must go through an inquiry process, which involves asking questions, beginning research and using teachers as guides.
Some projects extended beyond the high school. Fifth graders from Joseph A. McNeil Elementary school presented with the New York Power Authority), the country’s largest state power organization. According to the Director of Science and STEAM, Fredrika Miller, their research consisted of several projects on ways to reduce our carbon footprint. One group built a demo model of clean transportation, including electric cars, by using 3D printers. Another group focused on carbon footprint through food waste by weighing food waste and collecting data.
Many participating students who presented with the NYPA are English Language Learners, Miller said, adding that their presentation was “hands-on, it was experimental, it was multidisciplinary, it was IB.”
But for Miller, this presentation night is not just about research; it’s also about the importance of representation, especially for young girls.
“A lot of young ladies in the district are becoming more STEM … they’re saying, ‘I can do that too’, and that’s nice because they can do anything,” she said.
Community partners also participated, including instructors from Lincoln Tech who volunteered to speak with students about career paths. Kafi Alexis, an electrical instructor, said representation plays an important role in inspiring students. She remembers when she began working in electrical work.
“I was on top of a trailer… and some young girl saw me, and she was like, ‘Oh, we could do this too!’ and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it. I was sold,’” Alexis said.
Alexis said women, particularly women of color, still face challenges in male-dominated industries but she understands the importance of visibility and perseverance.
“We know how hard it is — that’s just being a woman in a man industry, period,” she said. “It has its difficulties, but it’s still beautiful at the same time.”
Hofstra University’s Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies also attended, demonstrating 3D human anatomy structure models to younger students. Alexandra Petas, a first-year PA student, was impressed by the amount of knowledge and interest in anatomy from the kids.
“A lot of young kids have come up… and I’m just really impressed,” Petras said. “It’s cool to see how much they know and how much they care. ”
Rhea Dewal, also a first-year PA student, added, “Our goal is to inspire the younger generations to see what they can possibly do in their future, we’re really glad to be here.”
Events such as STEAM also provides as a positive outlet for students with broader challenges outside of school.
“We have been dealing with a lot of transitions because a lot of our students are immigrants [so] it’s honestly nice to turn the trajectory in a different direction and let kids be able to be kids,” Brown said.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Hempstead High student population is 100 percent minority, with 77.2 percent Hispanic and 21.3 percent Black students. Organizers said events such as STEAM night could help connect students with community resources and future opportunities.
For some students, having access to extracurricular programs is already shaping their goals. Robert Ennis Jr., a member of the Hempstead High Robotics Club, said his experience inspired him to continue his education at Farmingdale State College so he can apply his skills to help his community, including building websites.
Even at an elementary level, teachers are reinforcing these concepts. Matthew Cole, a third grade teacher at Barack Obama Elementary School, runs an after-school club where students build machines using electric toys and building blocks to demonstrate scientific concepts. Currently, his students are learning about force and motion, so some machines used those concepts to perform simple tasks like dispensing candy.
“It’s more than just a lesson,” Cole said. “It [the mechanical machines] took a couple of months to build. We try to incorporate all these projects into what we’re learning about in the classroom.”
Leasia Hammonds Harbison, one of Cole’s students, said she felt proud of her accomplishments. “I learned how to create new stuff and try new activities,” she said.
From performing arts to presenting engineering projects and designing original fashion pieces, STEAM Night has encouraged students to explore their interests and take ownership of their learning.
“They can do anything, they can say poems, they can play an instrument, they can dance, they can shoot a bow and arrow outside,” Miller said. “We make it so whatever students need to feel like empowered, that’s what we’re going to do for them. And that’s what we do for STEAM. We empower our students, our scholars.”
