Hello STEM enthusiasts! Get ready to explore the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in our very first district-wide STEM Newsletter! This fall has been buzzing with innovation and discovery, and we're thrilled to share some of the amazing STEM happenings from across our schools. From captivating experiments in our elementary classrooms to cutting-edge projects at the high school level, get ready to be inspired by the ingenuity of our students.

Inside, you'll find spotlights on incredible achievements in our Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, a glimpse into the exciting careers of some of our STEM alumni, and a fun "Try it at Home" activity that the whole family can enjoy!

Want to get your hands on some STEM fun? Register through the link in the "Try it at Home" section to receive a FREE STEM kit to take home! And don't forget to snap some pictures or videos of your STEM adventures – you might just see them featured in our Spring edition!

Want to turn your kitchen into a science lab or your living room into an engineering design studio? This month's "Try it at Home" is all about hands-on STEM fun for the whole family!

We've got two exciting ways for you to explore the world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math:

1. Dive into Online Discoveries: Explore a treasure trove of exciting STEM activities using everyday household materials! Check out the Science Bob website for a huge selection of experiments perfect for all ages, from budding biologists to future physicists. Get ready to build, create, and discover together! For this edition let’s do the Blobs in a Bottle experiment where you can make your own lava lamp!

2. Grab a STEM Kit! Want a pre-packaged adventure? We've put together fantastic STEM kits filled with everything you need for a super-charged learning experience. These kits are available for FREE, but you'll need to register to reserve yours! Just fill out the quick form linked below and let us know which school you'd like to pick it up from. Please fill out the form by Sunday March 16th: https://forms.office.com/r/DbkfWamb8u

Share Your Discoveries! We want to see your STEM adventures in action! Email us pictures and videos of your students (with parent/guardian permission, of course!) trying out these activities. We'll feature some of our favorite submissions in the next edition of the newsletter! Let's inspire each other with our scientific explorations! Email submissions to mikenangle@wpcsd.k12.ny.us

So, whether you're using items from around the house or grabbing a ready-made kit, get ready for some seriously fun STEM learning experiences! Let's explore the world together!

We did it! Kindergarteners at George Washington celebrate this special day by creating projects that incorporate 100 objects. Click here to view photos from the exhibit!

Science 21 is in full swing in our elementary schools! At MAS kindergarten students are learning about Forces. They have conducted experiments to show applied equal force and the magnitude of force in relation to distance. They built models to share their learning and connected their learning to real world experiences.

Church Street kindergarteners investigated the impact of the sun on various surfaces and objects. In one investigation, they were tasked with creating a structure to protect an ice cube from the sun. These young scientists enjoyed demonstrating their engineering skills.

Ridgeway second graders sorting photos of quick/slow events that change the Earth. Learning about natural events encourages our students to think critically about the environment, science, and the interconnections between natural systems. Exploring cause-and-effect relationships helps them make sense of complex processes.

The district introduced the use of Math and Movement mats in our K-2 classrooms this school year. These interactive, colorful learning mats are designed to help young students engage with math concepts. The mats support skills like number recognition, counting, addition and subtraction. Ideal for hands-on learning the mats encourage students to practice math in a playful and dynamic way, enhancing both their understanding and interest in math.

In STEM Enrichment, fifth graders design, build and test disaster relief robots that use color sensors to find danger zones. They operate remote controls to navigate through the pathways, simulating how engineers use robots to help humans in disaster areas without putting more people at risk.

Which store has the better deal on pet food? How many boxes of truffles will Muffles sell today at his chocolate shop? Students work together in Math Enrichment to grapple with mathematical questions that arise from stories about everyday life.

Girls4Tech is a club at Eastview Middle School led by Ms. DeLorto, Ms. Berrios, and Ms. Torres. It partners with Mastercard in Purchase, NY, to expose female students to STEM and STEM careers. In the first session, the girls travel to Mastercard to learn about cryptology, artificial intelligence, algorithms, big data, fraud detection, and other digital topics.

In the following sessions, Girls4Tech members dive deeper into programming concepts like variables, conditionals, events, and functions through projects inspired by influential women who shaped technology, such as Annie Easley and Margaret Hamilton. For years, the girls created interactive projects using Scratch, an open-source, block-based programming language. However, as more White Plains students gain experience with block-based programming in elementary school through BootUp and Project Lead the Way, Girls4Tech shifted its focus to text-based programming.

For the first time, the 2024–2025 Girls4Tech members are learning JavaScript, the language that makes websites interactive. The club runs from October to May and culminates in a graduation event where groups present coded projects about famous women in STEM on the stage at Mastercard. After graduation, Girls4Tech members are encouraged to return as volunteers for the program and to apply for internships at Mastercard, continuing their journey in STEM.

Students in Mr. King’s and Mr. Hauser’s classes spent Quarter 2 exploring truss bridge design through a real-world challenge: recommending a modern truss bridge replacement for an aging structure. Working in teams, they researched, built, and tested model truss bridges. After testing, students refined their designs, making iterative improvements to enhance performance.

In the spirit of friendly competition, teams calculated both individual and class average efficiency scores to identify the strongest designs. The winning design, created by Anthony Calderon Cruz, achieved an astounding efficiency score of 3,950—meaning it held 3,950 times its own weight! For perspective, Anthony would need to lift 40 elephants to match the relative strength of his bridge. This remarkable achievement highlights how engineering empowers students to apply creativity and innovation to solve challenges and achieve extraordinary results.

Students in Ms. Thorntons’ class are learning about self-portraits, color theory, and textile-inspired digital art through the work of contemporary local artist Bisa Butler. Known for her vibrant quilted portraits, Bisa Butler merges traditional quilting with powerful storytelling, inspiring students to explore their own identities through digital art.

Using Adobe Photoshop 2024 on MacBook Pro laptops, students create digital "portrait quilts" that reflect their personal experiences and character traits. Technology enables them to layer, manipulate, and edit images with precision, allowing for creative techniques such as posterizing self-portraits, applying textures and patterns, and simulating stitching and appliqués.

In this project, students apply design thinking by researching Bisa Butler’s art, reflecting on their identities, and selecting digital "fabrics" that symbolize their traits. They experiment with color, texture, and composition, refine their designs through digital editing, and incorporate feedback to improve their work.

This unique project allows students to blend technology with traditional art forms, honoring the history of quilting while expanding its possibilities. Through their choices of color, texture, and pattern, students create deeply personal artworks, exploring their emotions and identity while celebrating the artistry of a phenomenal African-American artist.

Students are developing fine and gross motor skills, manual dexterity, and basic measurement techniques by constructing towers and other structures. The most exciting part? Watching the towers come crashing down! This engaging, hands-on activity makes learning both fun and memorable.

Teachers at Highlands are using AI to make learning more engaging and interactive. Click on the PDF article below to see how different educators are bringing technology into their classrooms to enhance student participation and support learning.

Mrs. Fleming's Science Research Students are practicing using sensors to measure water quality variables such as temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. In March the students will be attending a field trip to Rye Nature Center where they will be using the sensors to collect data about the health of their waterways. The purchase of the sensors was made possible through grants awarded by the Friends of White Plains Public Schools and the White Plains High School PTA.

The Introduction to Engineering Design class at White Plains High School (A Project Lead the Way course geared toward Freshman) faced a unique challenge: safely transporting "radioactive" golf balls without touching them! Students were tasked with designing and building a device using the Design Process they've been learning in class. The classroom buzzed with excitement as students brainstormed ideas, built prototypes, and tested their creations. Through trial and error, students learned the importance of iteration and the value of teamwork in overcoming challenges. The result? A series of ingenious contraptions and a whole lot of fun! Read the article in the PDF located below for more.

High school students with a passion for STEM will find a wealth of exciting courses! Explore subjects like Anatomy & Physiology, Engineering, Forensics, Horticulture, Marine Science, and Science Research. Plus, many of these courses offer the chance to earn college credit through dual enrollment! Discover the full range of STEM courses in the attached pdf or on the website: https://hs.whiteplainspublicschools.org/guidance1/wphs-course-catalog-2022-2023

Want to know what it takes to build a remarkable robot? Dive into this exclusive Q&A with Mr. Allen and Ms. Sarmiento, the Robotics Club advisors, and club member Siddhant Sawant, current Senior at WPHS. Learn about the club's exciting journey, from overcoming challenges and celebrating victories to developing essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. Get inspired and discover how you can get involved in this thrilling world of robotics! Read the article in the PDF located below for more.

The White Plains High School STEM Club hosted its inaugural Climate Change Symposium and Competition on November 16th. The event showcased innovative climate change solutions presented by WPHS clubs and community groups, engaging environmental awareness activities for children, and hands-on exhibits from the Rye Nature Center's 'Nature Station.' Honorable Mayor Thomas Roach opened the event with a warm address, followed by an inspiring keynote speech from Columbia University climate change activist, Sai Darira. This successful event was made possible by the support of the White Plains City Youth Climate Change Action Fund, with special thanks to the City of White Plains and Mayor Roach!

Meet Leila Tomlin, a senior at White Plains High School, who embodies the spirit of STEM and community service. With a remarkable GPA, she's a true inspiration!

• STEM Leadership: Founder of Girls4Tech and President of Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS).
• Community Impact: President of Key Club, Community Service Liaison for NHS, and founder of the Debate Club, along with extensive volunteer work.

Leila's dedication to service is evident through her involvement with numerous organizations, including the Pink Lady Box Project, My Sister's Place, The Ronald McDonald House, and Lifeline Humanitarian Organization. She has also secured 2 $10,000 grants for her Elementary school, and her high school, and went on a Mission trip to Serbia and raised 30,000 dollars for a new playground.

Want to learn more about Leila's inspiring journey? Read the full interview and dive deeper into her incredible achievements!

Vinn Nguyen's journey into engineering began with childhood Legos and online explorations of incredible inventions. The PLTW program at White Plains High School provided a crucial glimpse into the world of engineering, solidifying his interest. Now at MIT, Vinn is immersed in rigorous coursework and exciting research on fuel cell efficiency. He credits WPHS with instilling values of hard work and dedication, essential for navigating the challenges of a demanding field. Vinn encourages current students to explore their interests and embrace the opportunities that WPHS offers.

Read Vinn's full interview to learn more about his experiences at MIT, his advice for aspiring engineers, and his thoughts on the future of STEM!

White Plains High School class of 2017 graduate, Rachel Herman, earned a BA (2021) and MA (2022) in Urban & Environmental Planning from Tufts University. Her path led her to STEM through an interest in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial analysis, culminating in a master's thesis on climate change risk in Ethiopia and work with the MGGG Redistricting Lab. Now a GIS consultant at CDM Smith in Chicago, she works on projects ranging from lead pipe replacement to flood modeling, developing her programming and data science skills within engineering. Rachel credits the WPHS Science Research program with developing her research analysis and presentation skills, crucial for her current role. Her advice: STEM is broader than it seems. Explore diverse careers and, in college, take courses outside your major.

Read Rachel's full interview for more!

Hannah Malcomson, a 2015 WPHS graduate, pursued her passion for animal science, earning a BS from UVM and an MS from UT. She's now a dual PhD candidate at Clemson, focusing on Animal Science and Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry. Her journey included valuable experience: after her MS, she worked for the FDA/USDA and as a Clemson Extension Specialist. Hannah credits the WPHS Science Research program (ASR), especially Mrs. Fleming, with best preparing her for college. The program fostered a crucial skill – asking questions – which sparked undergraduate research and shaped her academic path. Her advice: Your path will likely have unexpected turns. Embrace new opportunities, cultivate diverse skills (lab work, extracurriculars, networking, volunteering), trust your instincts, and always ask questions. Every successful scientist was once an unsure 18-year-old. They found their way, and so will you.

Read Hannahs' full interview for more!

Have your students create legible single file PDF documents when they scan their work for upload to Schoology. This video shows you how to use the OneDrive app that any student can download from the Self-Service app to make easy to read, manageable files. This will make reviewing student work much easier.

Get ready to meet the newest member of our STEM team, Dr. David Jacob! He's joining us as the Director of Math, Science, and Engineering for grades 7-12, and he's bringing a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the district. In his inaugural STEM Spotlight article, Dr. Jacob dives into the exciting world of updated science standards, explaining how students across the country are learning the same core ideas and developing crucial scientific thinking skills. Get ready to explore the future of STEM education in White Plains! Read the article written by Dr. David Jacob in the PDF located below for more.

Giordano Garcia, Science and Engineering Teacher, WPHS

Susannah Genty-Waksberg, Math Instructional Specialist, GW

Kimberly Fleming, Science Research Teacher, WPHS

Jacqueline Forbes-Machado, Kindergarten Teacher, MAS

Damien King, Technology Ed., Highlands

Al Martinez, Engineering and Technology Teacher, WPHS

Mike Nangle, Physics and Engineering Teacher, WPHS