The Pine Bush STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Academy this summer was three weeks packed with enrichment, collaboration and hands-on learning. Students worked on exciting projects including coding, robotics, engineering design and scientific experiments. Some also teamed together to weld a special project.
The graduation from the academy Thursday drew family members and administrators, congratulating the students on all they had accomplished.
“You chose to come to summer school,” said outgoing Pine Bush High School principal Aaron Hopmayer. “That sets you apart from others.”
That’s for sure. These students had experiences others just don’t have, thanks to the Haas Innovation Center at Pine Bush High School.
“During these past three weeks, you’ve challenged yourselves through science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Superintendent Joe Lenz. “More importantly, you’ve learned how creativity and critical thinking work together to shape the future.”
The academy broke into teams for the always fun boat races. With just cardboard and duct tape, each team designed and built their boats for speed and to stay afloat. They created paddles and oars to help them glide across the high school pool in hopes of earning the coveted boat race trophy.
The STEM Academy, run by Ellen Friel and Eric Johnson with student assistants Nevan Stelmaszyk and Christopher Turcotte-O’Dell, is made up mostly of incoming ninth graders, with an eighth grader and a handful of incoming sophomores rounding out the class. Some of the sophomores had an extra project in the works. They created a fire pit, welding all the separately designed metal pieces into one incredible work of art.
“Whether you one day become an engineer, scientist, programmer, inventor or pursue another passion entirely, the skills you’ve developed here will stay with you,” said Mr. Lenz. “Congratulations on completing the STEM Academy. We are incredibly proud of each of you!”
STEM Academy Graduates
- Willow Corkey
- Junissa Delille
- Ruben Gonzalez
- John Haelen
- Ryan Howard
- Evan Jean
- Jameson Kilgore
- Alexander Kouloumbis
- Eden Latorre
- Etienne Manigault
- Ryan Mayen
- Trent Meberg
- Thomas Monahan
- Johnathan Morgan
- Dominic Nelson
- Thiri Nway
- Gianni Ockille
- Aaron Pabon
- Avery Pierre-Louis
- Andrew Polbox
- Lisbell Rios
- Callie Steinard
- Hunter Talleyrand
- Paul Taylor
- Janiya Thomas
- Finnegan West