Boosting student interest in science

Hewlett High School is well known for its award-winning science research program, robotics teams, and wide offering of science-oriented Advanced Placement courses.
Seniors Chenab Khakh and Remi Golden, and junior Alec Fischthal were semifinalists in this year’s Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology. In addition, seniors have been working with Dr. Patricia Nardi on their submissions to the Intel Science Talent Search.
To help continue this success, the Hewlett-Woodmere School District hosted Science Technology Engineering Art and Math (STEAM) Nights at the Franklin Early Childhood Center (FECC) and the elementary schools earlier this month.
By exposing students to STEAM at a young age, the district is hoping to encourage more students to explore their interests as they progress through their school careers. STEAM is commonly referred to as STEM (without art), but Hewlett decided to include art to show students the importance of creativity within the other fields. Artistic aspects can improve technology, while science and math is often used to enhance art. The STEAM night was organized by the Science Department Chair, Dr. Brian Terry and Mathematics Department Chair Mr. Anthony Murray. With the help of the school’s administrators and some teachers, students could participate and have fun without even realizing the extent of information they were learning.
Students and their parents went to different stations to do projects or listen to guest speakers, including a presentation from Mad Science. In addition, high school students from the Robotics Club helped at the event. FECC students loved the ability to drive the club’s test robot with a simple controller, similar to an Xbox controller. In the hallways between stations, interacting with the robot was a popular activity. Showing off the test bot to the children was a valuable experience for the high school students as well.

“I loved seeing the younger students reactions to the robot,” Khakh, a senior on Team Roboboogie, said. “I hope that they see how cool robotics can be, and as a result they will be eager to study STEAM areas in high school, especially for girls.”
Nationally a dramatically smaller participation of girls take part in STEM courses and activities compared to boys. However, efforts like STEAM nights are working to break stereotypes and help increase the number of girls who pursue interests in STEM fields. Hewlett High has three FIRST FTC robotics teams: Roboboogie, Innovo, and Bionica, an all-girls team. Evidently, girls in Hewlett are at no loss of opportunity for following a passion for science.
STEM is an increasingly vital part of education, and the school district is working to ensure students have all opportunities to excel in STEM fields. Projects such as building an aqueduct out of foam tubing, scissors and tape, could help children explore science, and perhaps find a new passion.