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Fifteen students from Eastview Middle School completed an intensive eight--week course in science, technology, engineering and math, commonly known as STEM. The program led by the Youth Bureau’s After School Connection allowed students to engage in hands-on projects covering areas such as rocketry, roller coaster design and hovercraft design.
Twice a week, students worked together while documenting their progress in writing and on video.
The workshops were led by science teachers under the direction of Lawrence Perreto, executive director of the STEM Education Leadership Center.
At a final session on Dec. 16 at Eastview Middle School, students worked on a project focusing on electrical circuitry as an audience of guests including Mayor Thomas Roach, Common Council Member Dennis Krolian and Eastview Principal Joseph Cloherty looked on.
The day’s activities culminated in a “magnetic fishing contest” in which groups of students competed to design and operate the most effective magnetized fishing pole for catching paper-clip fish.
“I was amazed at what these students achieved in a very short period of time and delighted to witness their obvious excitement about their projects,” said Roach. “Working cooperatively with our school district, County Youth Bureau and the STEM Education Leadership Center, we are pleased to be able to offer this valuable opportunity to White Plains youth.”
This program is one of many initiatives led by the White Plains Youth Bureau in the area of STEM learning. Others include a Saturday Boys Academy, a Saturday Girls Academy and the hiring of a STEM specialist to run after school programs for elementary students.
This program was funded through a grant from the Westchester County Youth Bureau with additional support from the Friends of the White Plains Youth Bureau.
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