Submitted by Jessica Porchetta Bodajlo
Angelo L. Tomaso School, Warren New Jersey, kicked off a month-long initiative focusing on science which wrapped up with a science fair on April 24, 2018.
“The science fair will allow the ALT students from kindergarten through fifth grade to showcase their own science experiments,” said Carina Bellman, ALT PTO vice president and science fair executive board contact. “We are excited to announce that about a hundred students have already signed up to participate and show off their scientific achievements,” added Bellman.
A month prior to the event, the ALT gymnasium was transformed into a state-of-the-art hands-on children’s science museum for the ALT Science Assembly conducted by Mobile Ed Productions, Inc. and presented by the ALT PTO. “As parents who value STEAM education, the PTO was honored to be able to bring this hands on, interactive program to all ALT students K-5,” said Arelis Buzzerio, ALT PTO co-chair of the school’s science initiative.
“We believe igniting the spark to question, explore and have fun are paramount to fostering a love of science learning,” added Sonia Gomes, ALT PTO co-chair of the school’s science initiative.
To kick off the science assembly, each class was welcomed with a brief, age appropriate presentation involving a humanoid robot that responded to custom computer and voice commands and a 3D printer creating a tyrannosaurus rex. Next, they participated in nine different interactive workstations incorporating the principals of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) education. The children used team work to construct a parabolic “Roman” arch that towered over their heads. They were thrilled to program robots that followed their commands. They constructed gear-driven mechanisms into unique creations. They competed among themselves as they tried to complete the “Buzzwire” puzzle without sparking the alarm. They also collaborated on musical creations using technology.
There is no doubt that children had a blast learning about STEAM in an enjoyable environment while incorporating team work and respect for each other. Their teachers were also excited because they witnessed their students actively implementing some of the principles they learned in the classroom. The event brought science and fun together and resulted in an overall success.
(above, l-r): Second Graders: Madison Slater, Leila Romero, Jack Lippman, Matthew Machado, Aleina Sethi
photo credit, Heather Silver
(above, l-r): Kindergarteners: Siana Mago and Benjamin Bodajlo
Photo credit, Jessica Bodajlo
(above, l-r): Second Graders: Justin Smulski and Maxwell Silver
Photo credit, Heather Silver
(above, l-r) First Graders: Penelope Bradbury and Constantin Bellmann
Photo credit, Carina Bellman
(above, l-r) Fifth Graders: Annaliesa Teepe, Anna Ivaniashvili, Juliana Steier, Katherine Rall, Marco Liberti, Gisele Sajous (face behind number 5) Hailey Tobin.
Photo credit, Heather Silver.
