Kids Use Innovative Thinking With New STEM Program

RIVERHEAD, NY — Learning is fun at the Riley Avenue Elementary School as kids use new "Breakout Boxes" to hone science, technology, engineering and math skills.

According to the Riverhead Central School District, the STEM pilot, a PTA-sponsored program, involves students in Beth Menis’ class that have been working in teams to gain access to their lockboxes by solving a series of problems.

Each box comes equipped with 5 different locks; to obtain the codes, the students need to think critically and employ collaboration, creativity and communication, the district said, adding that all of the problems are based on units of study covered in class.

“At times, the students have been able to break the codes faster than the adults in the room,” said Menis. “But whether their group comes in first or last, they are loving the learning experience.”

Photo courtesy of the Riverhead Central School District.