Future engineers train in Valley Stream

Twenty years from now, some of the nation’s top engineers could be talking about how they got their start in Valley Stream.

This summer, the Community Center at Hendrickson Park is hosting Engineering for Kids, a program that teaches children science, technology, engineering and math skills. Children ages 4 to 14 could sign up for one week, or the entire summer.

Preye Backer, the program’s director, said it is offered throughout the United States and in some other countries as well, but this was the first time Engineering for Kids has made its ways to Nassau County. But it likely won’t be the last. Backer said there are plans to launch an after-school program in the area.

In June, Backer said she learned that Valley Stream officials were looking to host more programs at the Community Center, which re-opened last year after extensive renovations. She contacted SallyAnn Esposito, who runs the center, and a summer camp was born.

Attendance each week was typically 10 to 12 children, which Backer said was good for the first year, especially since the decision to bring the summer program to Valley Stream was made so late. The kids got to try their hands at chemical, mechanical, environmental and aerospace engineering.

“It’s all hands-on,” Backer said. “The kids are building everything themselves.”

In the morning, children would spend time on the computers developing video games or working with Lego robotics. The afternoon was time for children to get their hands a little dirty, building bridges, egg drop devices and catapults. When they studied environmental engineering, the children simulated an oil spill and learned what would be necessary to clean it up. As for chemical engineering, they got to make ice cream. “They really enjoyed that,” Backer said.

She noted that the children enjoyed designing video games and creating their own characters. After they completed a game, they were able to put it on a flash drive so they could play it at home.

“A lot of kids, they enjoy video games,” Backer said, “but they don’t know how it works.” She added that computer programming is a skill that can give children a leg up in the future.

Antonio Bosotina, 9, of East Meadow, came to the program every week this summer. He said his mother heard about the camp and signed him up. “I like being here because I make some friends,” he said, “and I just like building.”

He said he has learned a lot this summer about engineering and the different types of engineers there are. Antonio said his favorite activity was building egg drop devices. The key, he said, is to make the inside soft and to design a bottom that allows for a smooth landing so the egg stays in tact. “I haven’t broken too many,” he said.

Neil Ramasray, 11, of Valley Stream, attended the camp for two weeks, once in July and again in August. He said he particularly liked “Wreck-it Week” where he got to destroy what he built.

In the future, Neil said he might want to become an engineer, but since he will only be in seventh-grade at Memorial Junior High in the fall, he has time to decide.

Backer explained that although there was an instructor present at all times, the children learned a lot on their own. Before building, they were encouraged to put their design ideas on paper first, much like how an engineer draws up blue prints. They were also taught to learn from their mistakes. “The most important thing we teach them is to test their designs,” she said. “They can see what works well, what doesn’t work well.”

Esposito said she has heard positive feedback from parents about the program, which ends on Aug. 30, and hopes it returns next summer. “The kids seem to be having a ball,” she said. “They’re having fun and they’re learning at the same time.”