NEW $300K STEAM Science Center Opens on the Grounds at Park Shore
Extreme STEAM Science Center Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting & Renaming of Science Camp Program
Friday, July 24, 2015
Ribbon Cutting: 10:00am
At the July 7th House-side briefing on Informal STEM learning centers, the Science Academy at Park Shore’s director, Julian Aptowitz, was pleased to confirm that the Science Academy program at Park Shore meets all the qualifications of a “Productive STEM program in an Out-of-School Setting.” In the report released by the National Research Council on June 25, 2015, the characteristics of a Productive STEM program must include learning experiences that are Engaging, Responsive, and Makes Connections. “We definitely engage students in sustained STEM practices,” said Mr. Aptowitz. “We make STEM learning socially meaningful and culturally relevant. Our students work in teams and learn to take leadership positions on those teams. Our program has partnered with the Heckscher Museum in Huntington, with The Waterfront Center in Oyster Bay, and the Cradle of Aviation Museum to connect our students learning experiences across a variety of settings, as well as with local Physician, Dr. Ben Schwartz and the Da Vinci Surgical robot, in an effort to connect our student’s learning to real-world experiences,” Mr. Aptowitz continued. The report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. Michael Feder, principal investigator for the National Research Council, speaking at the House briefing, described the need to identify and support these Productive Informal STEM programs, noting, “For every child in the US with access to a program, there were 2 additional children going unserved.”
In an effort to remedy this unfortunate situation, the Science Academy at Park Shore is changing its name to Extreme STEAM Science Kids, and setting up programs this summer in the Florida Keys at the Pigeon Key Foundation’s Marine Science Research station, as well as in Great Neck this fall at the Gold Coast Arts Center, with plans to expand into Manhattan, Tampa, and North Carolina. Bob Budah, co-owner of Park Shore Country Day Camp and School, is a principal partner in this new venture. “I recognized the need to support STEM (now STEAM) programs several years ago. Park Shore supported the Half Hollow Hills High School Robotics team with donations totaling $52,500.00 over the past three years. While we were pleased to help high school students engage in a stimulating and exciting STEM experience, we recognized the lack of available programs for elementary aged students,” said Mr. Budah. “We created the Science Academy at Park Shore three summers ago to meet the local need. We now are changing our name to Extreme STEAM Science Kids, to expand our engaging STEM experiences into other facilities around the country, and to add Art (the A in STEAM). We believe adding the Art component increases a student’s creativity, and their appreciation for the aesthetic values in Engineering design,” Mr. Budah continued.
On July 24th, 2015, The Science Academy at Park Shore “officially” becomes Extreme STEAM Science Kids at a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new, permanent facility on the campus at Park Shore. “We’ve invested over $300,000.00 to build a State-of-the-Art STEAM facility like no other on Long Island.” Mr. Budah said. “We’ve created a unique learning environment, equipped with the latest educational technology.” Mr. Aptowitz, a veteran science teacher, also holds a Master’s Degree in Educational technology. “Mr. Aptowitz attends all the major Edtech conferences and has brought that technology to our Program,” said Mr. Budah. “We are using robots that have yet to hit the wider market. We’re using Einstein Tablet computers equipped with electronic probes for students to see data collected in real time. We’re teaching coding, computer-based stop-motion animation, building roller coasters, boats, the list goes on and on.” On July 24th, students will once again be given the chance to operate the Da Vinci surgical robot, in addition to the Renaissance surgical robot and parents will attend to see their children’s projects, including the Kinetic Sculpture the students created in conjunction with art educators from the Heckscher Museum. “The students have spent two weeks addressing the concept of “balance” in art,” said Heckscher’s Director of STEAM education, Joy Weiner. “Their final creations, a Calder-esque Circus, will demonstrate many of the concepts the student’s learned in their time with us.”
Extreme STEAM Science Kids will be hosting several local political leaders, as well as members of the surrounding School District’s Administrative teams for the 10:00 AM ribbon cutting. “Our goal,” said Mr. Aptowitz, “is to build a STEAM learning ecosystem, in partnership with schools, museums, nature and marine centers, with a central focus on the student learners. Getting students to move from a position of “I like to do this” to “I want to do this. It’s important to me” will bring the transformation necessary to create a 21st Century workforce for Long Island and the US.”
Events of the Day:
- Ribbon Cutting
- Tours of The Science Center
- Scientific Demonstrations
- Camper Demonstrations of Two Surgical Robots
- Introduction of Staff
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