Little Harbor School picks up “STEAM” with New Heights

On Tuesday, March 21, hundreds of kids at Little Harbour School enjoyed a full day of activities at the inaugural STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Day.

Serving more than 1,000 youth annually and offering numerous STEAM programming options, New Heights helped kick off the day’s festivities with its NAO Humanoid Robot leading the entire school in a dance. Throughout the day, seven members from New Heights’ and Portsmouth High School’s Wire Clippers robotics team helped facilitate various hands-on activities, including Scratch coding, robot demonstrations, LEGO robotics workshops and more.

For Interim Assistant Principal Stacey Weeks, working with New Heights and the Portsmouth High School Wire Clippers was “a highlight of the day.”

“The high school students were excellent role models and our students saw them as experts,” she said. “Our day wouldn't have been the same without them. We look forward to working with them more in the future.”

In summing up students’ reaction to STEAM Day, she said they loved it.

“I saw engagement, problem solving, questioning, cooperation, creativity, collaboration, curiosity and among many other things smiles and excitement throughout our day,” she said.

For Wayne Moulton, who coordinates STEAM activities at New Heights, the day provided an “incredible opportunity” to work directly with younger students.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity to work with Little Harbor School and create a memorable day for students and staff,” he said. “It was amazing to see members of the Wire Clippers robotics team passing along their excitement for STEM. We are so proud of this group.”

Noting she plans to host similar events like STEAM Day in the future, Weeks credited the math committee in developing the concept, which “took on a life of its own.”

“The positive energy that it created for staff and students could be felt throughout the halls and classrooms,” she said. “According to parents, [STEAM Day] was the topic of many dinner conversations that night.”

In explaining why she thought the day’s activities were so popular amongst students, Weeks said students are naturally drawn to elements of STEAM.

“In addition to hands-on experiential learning, its collaborative nature and problem solving aspects, STEAM provides opportunities for students to be creative,” she said. “They are also drawn to the inquiry based learning and cross-curricular topics that are embedded in it. Many teachers have recognized its value and are working to incorporate STEAM into their curriculum more regularly.”

Celebrating its 30th year in operation, New Heights recently opened registration for its Summer Program, which provides youth with opportunities to explore everything from technology to art and science. New Heights charges program fees, but offers need-based scholarships and all the equipment necessary to participate.

To register or learn more about New Heights’ Summer Program, visit www.newheightsonline.org, or call (603) 422-8235.