Valley Stream School District 13 fifth and sixth-graders in the gifted and talented program participated in the STEM X Festival at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on Oct. 10.
The event, presented in collaboration with National Grid and Morrison Mentors, brought together students from across the region to engage with science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on activities.
“Our fifth and sixth graders at the festival showcased their impressive growth and collaborative spirit,” Ashley Garry, teacher in the gifted and talented program at Valley Stream UFSD 13, said. “They truly rose to the challenge and engaged meaningfully with every opportunity.”
During the festival, students rotated through interactive STEM stations featuring Rover Robots, drones, virtual reality headsets, circuits, Straw-bees, LEGOs and solar-powered cars. These activities encouraged creative and critical thinking about technology and renewable energy applications in urban design and development.
Students also attended a planetarium show titled “Future Cities”, an immersive presentation that explored sustainable urban environments and the role of STEM in shaping future cities.
Participation in the STEM X Festival reflects the district’s commitment to offering enrichment experiences that broaden students’ academic experiences and introduce them to opportunities in science and technology.