Summit STEAM Carnival Features 'Array Of Learning'

SUMMIT, NJ - Over the course of four hours on April 6 students and their families were treated to an array of learning as part of the 4th annual STEAM Carnival, hosted by the Summit Public Schools.

The event took place at Jefferson Elementary School and guests rotated amongst many STEAM activities related to the following: science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.

According to officials, STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses those areas as springboards to inquiry, discussion, and critical thinking. The planning stages began in October, with Assistant Director of Education Michelle Cebula, and her team, organizing the event that is funded by the Summit Educational Foundation. About 500 students, parents, and siblings attended, as well as many Summit teachers and staff.

New this year, the Franklin Institute hosted two presentations. Hot and Cold allowed students to explore the different states of matter while Flight took them on an historical journey from Leonardo da Vinci to the space shuttle. There were hands-on experiments, including a rocket launch.

An activity called STEAM Kits was also a new addition where students did a make and take, creating kits with all the elements to design and do projects at home. Making homemade Slime was a huge hit at the carnival, as were Battle Track Bot Jousting and 3-D Modeling. A DIY building section was a place for students and their families to work together to construct out of wood.

As the day concluded, Flipgrid was a digital forum where students could reflect on their experiences.

Summit Public Schools said thanks was owed to staff who were part of the event in many different ways, including: Michelle Cebula, Jenn McCann, Christine Rizzo, Jackie Arturi, Lauren Banker, Matt Block, Jess Brezniak, Steve Brooks, Mia Bivaletz, Jackie Campagna, Trudy Cohen, Joe Cordero, Jennilee Curran, Lara Donohue, Anna Gomez, Staci Kaplan, Chris Lijoi, Joanne Mendl, Kathleen Murphy, Doug Orr, Angela Paster, Arthur Rodgers, Andrea Rivera, Kara Saley, Matt Santos, Matt Schachtel, Suzanne Shire, Pam Southard, Loreli Stochaj, Janice Tierney, Bonnie Weinstein, and Jess Zerella.

Organizers also thanked Summit High School students Eray Sabuncu, Natalie Peralta, and Claire Guo, as well as custodial team members Bob Kersting, William Malhosky, Paul Henning and Manuel Salguero as well as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Play-Well, My Superfoods, Meat House, Jorge’s Foods Trucks, Franklin Institute, the Summit Public Library, and the Montclair Learning Center.

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