Science was all around the circular-shaped cafeteria on April 11 as Edmund W. Miles Middle School hosted its annual science fair.

Students shared information about their projects with teachers, administrators, board of education trustees, family members and other visitors. Each seventh grader completed an experiment following the scientific method, and had to create a poster board presentation outlining the process and results.

Science Chairwoman Natasha Lim said that the goal was to have students gain an understanding of the different steps of the scientific method through a hands-on project, as well as collect their own data and determine whether it proved or disproved their hypotheses. 

There were a wide variety of topics as students explored scientific concepts such as air flow, electricity, gravity and pressure. Several students completed experiments analyzing food and other household products, while others conducted surveys and performed statistical analysis. No science fair would be complete without a volcano, and there was also a slime-making station.

Students in the STEAM classes, an elective for seventh, eighth and ninth graders that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and math, displayed projects they have been working on throughout the year including boats, bridges, catapults, hydrogen cars and paper rollercoasters. 

Science research students also presented their projects, including their creation of ecosystems for betta splendens and leopard geckos, research on the vaping epidemic is schools and its nanoscribe 3D printing of a scaffold for dentinogenesis. They also showcased their mag lev vehicles which helped them earn first place in Brookhaven National Laboratory’s MAGLEV competition. 

Notable females from the past and present were celebrated at Edmund W. Miles Middle School on March 29. Students and teachers took part in the Women’s History Month celebration that included poems, songs and interviews.

Teacher Latessa Clairborne portrayed Oprah Winfrey and served as the host of the show. Throughout the program, she interviewed students taking on the roles of several famous females including Michelle Obama, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Maya Angelou, Madam C.J. Walker and Malala Yousafzai.

Jonathan Jacas sang and danced along to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” That served as a segue for an interview with female tennis legends Billie Jean King, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. 

Librarian Lynn Cesiro’s dance team accompanied Aaliyah Precil as she sang “That’s My Girl.” They also performed to medley of songs by female artists in a dance through the decades routine. The ninth-grade orchestra also performed under the direction of conductor Bianca Ferrante. 

The program concluded with a historical figures dance, as middle school teachers took on the roles of Pocahontas, Cleopatra, Rosie the Riveter and more. 

There was a strong sense of Warrior pride as the district celebrated its female athletes and coaches during a special ceremony on March 22.

The inaugural Warriors Girls and Women in Sports Day was held in the Amityville Memorial High School cafeteria to coincide with Women’s History Month. All varsity and junior varsity athletes from the three sports seasons were invited to attend, along with their coaches. The program featured guest speakers, dinner and a photo station, and each athlete received an “I am a Warrior” T-shirt.

“This is just a wonderful way for us to honor all of the female athletes and coaches we have in our district and to show them our appreciation,” said Evan Farkas, director of athletics, physical education and health. 

Coach Margot Howard opened the program by speaking about Women’s History Month and noting ways that opportunities have expanded for Amityville’s female athletes, including the introduction of a competitive cheer team and girls lacrosse program. 

Board of Education Second Vice President Laura Pawlewicz and trustee Allie McDonough, who were both Amityville athletes, helped coordinate the event. Ms. Pawlewicz, a four-year varsity soccer player, said they wanted to show the present-day female athletes just how much support they have from their community. She noted that the Amityville Parent Teacher Council and several local businesses helped make the event possible with generous contributions. 

Ms. McDonough said playing soccer and softball were among the best memories of her life. She told all of the girls that there are numerous opportunities for them to continue their athletic pursuits after high school. 

Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly, a volleyball, basketball and softball player in high school, said that Amityville’s female athletes are wonderful competitors who have had great successes in their sports, in addition to demonstrating great sportsmanship, remaining committed to their academics and carrying themselves with pride. 

The keynote speaker was girls varsity basketball coach Cherese Hinckson. She graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1997, and played soccer and basketball. Ms. Hinckson shared stories from her playing days and explained how that gave her a sense of determination. If she had just given up when times got tough, she said she never would have made the second All-Long Island team in basketball, received a college scholarship of been inducted into Amityville’s Sports Hall of Fame. She reminded today’s athletes that they should never let temporary bad moments stand in the way of greatness. 

The athletes participated in an interactive game to get to know each other better by having to find 25 people who met certain descriptions, such as someone who plays multiple sports, is a team captain, plans to play in college or has won a national championship.

Edmund W. Miles Middle School students now have increased access to technology as a learning tool, as the district launched its 1:1 Chromebook initiative.

Students in grades 7-9 and their parents were invited to an informational meeting on Feb. 26. Superintendent Dr. Mary T. Kelly discussed the educational advantages of the Chromebooks, which students will use in school and at home. They will have around-the-clock access to their assignments through Google Classroom. It also increases opportunities to collaborate with classmates, communicate with teachers and become responsible digital citizens.

Dr. Kelly explained that research shows that providing members of this tech-savvy generation with their own devices has a positive effect on academic outcomes because of the corresponding increase in student engagement and research-based best practices in teaching and learning. She added that it also prepares them for the technology-based learning environments at the college level.

“We are preparing our students for success in a world that is dynamic and ever changing,” she said. “The research demonstrates that 1:1 initiatives transform teaching and learning by fostering students’ ownership of their learning, and by providing opportunities for active learning, problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy and citizenship, and collaboration with their teachers and peers.

Ninth-grade social studies teacher Jack Zider and his Advanced Placement Human Geography students demonstrated educational tools such a Quizlet, an interactive platform for content review. Mr. Zider said that he and his fellow teachers are excited about the possibilities for enriched lessons now that all students have their own devices.

Students received their Acer Chromebooks, which come equipped with the G-Suite for Education including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. They were also given protective cases, chargers and ear buds.

In January, all first- through sixth-grade classrooms at Northwest and Park Avenue elementary schools were outfitted with Chromebook carts with enough devices for every child. Middle school students were the first to receive take-home Chromebooks. Next year, the 1:1 initiative will be expanded to the high school. It is being funded through a $125,000 grant from State Sen. John Brooks and money from Amityville’s share of the Smart Schools Bond Act. 

Four students from Amityville had their work selected for the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association’s annual All-County exhibit. Their art was recently displayed at Old Town Hall in Babylon.

The featured student artists included Edmund W. Miles Middle School ninth-grader Ulric Farrier (block printing) and Amityville Memorial High School juniors Brianna Desire (photography) and Astrid Dixon (drawing/mixed media). Additionally, senior Maiya Bryant displayed her artwork within the senior scholarship portion of the SCALA All-County exhibition. 

Students completed their work under the direction of art teachers Jennifer Dibble, Jayne Grasso and Nicole Pappas.