For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zone for Imagination, Innovation and Inspiration (Zi3) held an in-person family night!
The Zi3 hosted a “Together Again!” STEAM Night on March 24 at the Upper Elementary School. The event was free and open to students in grades Pre-K-8 and their parents/guardians. 
For the event, each family completed one of three guided STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities. The activities were:
Activity 1 – Howling Wolf Painting
This activity was facilitated by Mr. Lampert and Mr. Perrault. Students learned step-by-step how to paint a wolf howling at a full moon. Students received a laser cut stencil of a wolf that they were able to trace and then paint onto a canvas.
Activity 2 – Fairy/Dragon Light Up Lantern
This activity was facilitated by Mrs. VanDreason, Mrs. Potenski, Mr. Owens, Mrs. Parzych and Mrs. Robinson. Students were given a choice to create a fairy or dragon lantern using a laser cut stencil, mason jars, glitter and fairy lights.
Activity 3 – Dancing Llama
This activity was facilitated by Mr. Boisen. Students learned how to make a circuit with a motor to animate their own craft llama. Llamas were made from corks, plastic lids, cups, feathers and pipe cleaners.
“We were so thrilled to be able to host our STEAM night in person again,” Mrs. Davis, Zi3 coordinator said. “During the pandemic, we continued to connect with our students through virtual family nights, but there is a different energy when you are able to be with people in the same room…creating, laughing and sharing in a wonderful experience together.”
In addition to the three activities, there were also “free form sessions” for everyone to enjoy. With the help of volunteer teachers Mrs. Noto, Mrs. DeMichele, Mrs. Nugent and Ms. Kent, every participant also had the chance to make a binary coded bracelet or racing balloon rocket, as well as play on an imagination augmented reality station.
The Zi3 is holding four camps this summer – “Mythbuster Camp,” “Maker Camp,” “Under the Sea Camp” and “Energy Zone Camp.” Each summer camp will run for one week in July or August. More information will be posted on the district website soon.
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