Half Hollow Hills Robotics Team Works With Pre-K Classes

Members of the Half Hollow Hills FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 3624 from both High Schools East and West have been visiting the district’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) classes to help expose the youngest students to the world of robotics. The members of the team achieve this by displaying visuals of the robotics team in action to the pre-school students, and by engaging them in an interactive science experiment that introduces them to circuits.

“We were searching for ways to get young students more involved in STEM, to help increase participation and innovation when they get to the secondary level,” said Gianna Vessey, a senior at Hills East and the Director of PR and Outreach for FRC Team 3624.

Using colorful moldable clay, the students are shown how to roll the dough into balls and use a battery and wires to make a lightbulb light up. Then the UPK students paired off to do the activity on their own, as the high school students circulated around the room to support them.

“The activity is easy to understand, while still exciting for the kids to learn,” added Vessey. “It is enjoyable, and the teachers are amazed at what their students are able to do!”

At the end of the activity, the 4 year-olds are given a scratch-off activity in the shape of a robot to bring home to share with their parents, so the STEM conversation can continue there.

The Half Hollow Hills Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program recently extended their deadline to submit an application to May 1, 2019. Parents with children who will be 4 years old on or before December 31, 2019, are not eligible for kindergarten, and reside within the boundaries of the district are eligible to apply using the application found at www.hhh.k12.ny.us/district/upk.

Resident children who turn five by December 31, 2019, are eligible for Kindergarten in 2019. Their parents or guardians should contact the Half Hollow Hills Central School District at 631-592-3000.

The Half Hollow Hills UPK program is fully state-funded, with no cost to the local tax payer, and is currently delivered to approximately 180 children during the 2018-19 school year. Each class is taught by a New York State Certified Teacher, an instructional assistant, and may have a maximum of only 18 students. The program implements an age-appropriate comprehensive curriculum that integrates all subject areas, and is aligned with the New York State Pre-K Learning Standards.

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of almost 8,000 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.