Baldwin School District Hosts Family S.T.E.A.M. Night at the Cradle of Aviation Museum

STEAM Night by Colleen Zammit

Hundreds Attend Exclusive Learning Opportunity for Baldwin Families

For the second annual S.T.E.A.M. Night, Baldwin Union Free School District decided to take the hands-on learning experience to the next level. Through a unique partnership with the Cradle of Aviation, the district hosted an unforgettable evening at the museum. The educational experience, designed to foster a love for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, was open exclusively to Baldwin families. Drawing hundreds of attendees, "Baldwin Family S.T.E.A.M. Night" served as an opportunity to engage in thought-provoking activities, while exploring the wonders of S.T.E.A.M. in a dynamic and interactive environment.

“The evening not only made learning fun but also allowed students to see the practical applications of what they are learning in the classroom in real-world settings,” explained Lynette O’Brien, Elementary S.T.E.A.M. teacher and Family S.T.E.A.M. Night Coordinator. Under the direction of Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, Mr. Anthony Mignella, Ms. O'Brien organized the event with the help of her ‘S.T.E.A.M. Dream Team,’ which encompassed Baldwin teachers, Michele Kourie, Tricia Wilder and Emily Clark. “Families could participate in experiments, build projects, and even interact with museum exhibits in a fun and memorable setting.” 

Upon arrival, Baldwin families were greeted by the enthusiastic Baldwin staff members, setting the stage for an evening of excitement and exploration. The Cradle of Aviation Museum showcases the historical and modern marvels of aviation and astronomy. Featuring seventy-five air and spacecraft in eight galleries, the museum chronicles one hundred years of space exploration, including Baldwin’s very own astronaut, Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli’s contributions to the field. Families were invited to navigate the exhibits through a scavenger hunt to help create a much richer learning experience.

S.T.E.A.M. Night also featured a variety of educational stations, each tailored to stimulate curiosity and learning. For instance, students could craft a plant life cycle or design their own solar system. In addition, families had the option of watching "Junior Jetsetters" and "Cities of the Future" in the Cradle’s very own planetarium. 

"It was great to see the community come together and see the excitement on the children’s faces throughout the various activities,” said a Baldwin parent. “As a parent whose career is within the utility industry, I personally enjoyed ‘Cities of the Future’ as it educated us on where we are headed when it comes to clean energy. I hope this event will continue yearly. Great job to the staff on a well-organized, inclusive and informative event."

The evening was a hit among Baldwin families, which can be largely attributed to the dedication of district administrators and faculty members.

“Baldwin Family S.T.E.A.M. Night was a remarkable success thanks to the collaborative efforts of all involved,” said Ms. O’Brien. “It was truly inspiring to see everyone come together to celebrate and nurture our students’ curiosity and love of learning.”

"The Baldwin Family S.T.E.A.M. Night was a celebration of community and collaborative learning,” said Dr. Shari L. Camhi, superintendent of schools. “Seeing hundreds of our families actively engaged with their children truly emphasized the magnitude of family involvement in education and how our students receive a much more impactful learning experience as a result of this. Our teachers and administrators are very much dedicated to providing deeper learning experiences for our students. This event accentuated the district’s mission to offer relevant and rigorous real-world learning opportunities for all. It was clear from this celebration that our community is involved with and supportive of our efforts. I would like to thank our teachers and especially Ms. Lynette O’Brien, our Baldwin S.T.E.A.M. teacher, and our administrators for making this innovative educational opportunity at the Cradle of Aviation Museum possible.” 

Stay tuned for more fun and exciting educational experiences for both students and their families, alike.