Gazing into a glowing plasma ball, a young student watches in fascination as purple lightning bolts dance toward his fingertips with every touch. This moment of discovery was one of many at Farmingdale High School on April 16, 2026, during the 7th Annual Elementary STEAM Night. Hundreds of community members gathered to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through hands-on play.
The high school commons and cafeteria featured over fifty interactive stations. Families moved from table to table, engaging in activities designed to spark curiosity and solve problems. Highlights included:
- Experimental demonstrations like A Shocking Development and The Science of the Electric Guitar
- Creative stations such as Whirly Swirly Pipe Making Sounds and Make Your Ice Cream
- Engineering tasks like the Slinky Fall, Fold, and Fly
Rather than just watching, participants became scientists and engineers. They asked questions, conducted experiments, and analyzed data in real-time.
The collaboration of student leaders and district staff powered the event. Members of the Robotics, Science Research Club, and Wi-STEM worked alongside teacher volunteers from the district’s six schools. High school students served as mentors, showing younger children that passion for STEAM can lead to exciting future opportunities.
This event required extensive planning from dedicated leaders. Dr. Kristen Cummings, the Director of Science, coordinated the evening with National Science Honor Society members, advisors Sara Whitaker and Mike Boyd, and STEAM Night coordinators Tatiana Hakimian and Nick Marino.
By bridging the gap between elementary curiosity and high school expertise, the district continues to build a robust foundation for the next generation of innovators. This celebration ensures a bright future for science in Farmingdale as the community looks forward to the 2026-2027 school year.
