Valley Stream 24 Challenge Program Students Use 21ST-Century Skills to Design and Build IKEA Furnit

Students in grades four through six in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program have been immersed in advanced coding and robotics by using 3D printing to design and create their own robots. Most recently, they applied their 21st-century skills, including coding, 3D printing, and architectural design, to build and design IKEA furniture, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving abilities.

“Our Challenge Program students had a unique and exciting opportunity to enhance their 21st-century skills by assembling their own IKEA furniture,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas. “This hands-on experience exemplifies our Vision 2030 initiative in action, fostering technological literacy and preparing students for the future by encouraging them to apply their skills to real-world projects.”

Students read blueprints to build and design desks, cabinets and other pieces of furniture. Challenge Program Teacher Risa Miller developed the idea after a recent Vision 2030 planning session, during which district staff came together to create innovative Vision 2030 pilot projects.

Such programs align with the cornerstones of Vision 2030 by emphasizing technological skills, collaboration, real-world experience, social and emotional health and adaptive leadership.

The district is excited to launch Vision 2030 pilot programs in the upcoming year, aiming to equip students with advanced skills essential for future success.

For more information about Valley Stream 24, please visit the District’s website at https://valleystreamschooldistrict24.org and ‘like’ our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/VS24SchoolDistrict #MakeTheConnection #VS24

Valley Stream 24 Challenge Program Students Explore Culture and History at the Nassau County Museum

Sixth-grade students in the Valley Stream 24 School District’s Challenge Program recently embarked on an enriching field trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn, during which they explored and analyzed the culture and history on display.

“Visiting the Nassau County Museum of Art offered our students meaningful opportunities to engage with and analyze artwork through a multidisciplinary lens,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Unal Karakas. “This enriching experience will inspire and motivate our students as they prepare to create their own artwork for the Olympics of Visual Arts competition later this year.”

Students explored the creations of a diverse array of artists, styles, time periods and geographies during an inspiring field trip with their art teachers and Challenge Program Teacher Risa Miller. Throughout the experience, they learned to reflect on their own unique life experiences, strengthen observation skills and develop visual literacy, communication skills, critical thinking, self-expression and tolerance.

One museum exhibit, titled “Seeing Red,” guided students through the world of color theory and explained how colors affect perception, elicit different emotions and signify various symbolic qualities that impact the meaning of the artwork.

Students also had the special opportunity to meet with and interview renowned artist Louise Sloane, who has several works on display at the museum. Hearing from the acclaimed abstract artist impacted the students' attitudes toward learning and creativity as she described her creative perspective and approach to her craft. For example, when she repaints or makes changes in her artwork, she does not view these as mistakes but as a part of the process that make the work stronger.

“This experience inspired the students, who later reflected that they would try to remember Ms. Sloane's perspective when they struggled to reach a goal or when they felt they had made mistakes,” said Ms. Miller. “Additionally, Sloane revealed that she expresses deeply personal feelings through her artwork and she gets very emotional as she paints. I believe this will encourage students to embrace vulnerability and creativity, motivating them to find their unique voices in their art.”

This Spring, Challenge Program students will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and artistic abilities during the New York State Art Teachers Association’s Olympics of the Visual Arts.