Farmingdale's 5th Annual Elementary STEAM Night, held on March 21st, was a fantastic night of hands-on learning. Teachers and student volunteers helped guide families through a fun-filled evening celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math in a carnival-like atmosphere filled with games, puzzles, and activities.

“STEAM Night is my favorite night of the year,” said Director of Science Dr. Kristen Cummings. “As soon as you arrive, you can feel a positive energy. The most amazing part is that it is a true community effort that brings the entire district together.”

Farmingdale’s Elementary STEAM Night, attended by more than 600 people, had over 100 volunteers manning dozens of engaging stations. Some of the more popular demonstrations were: A Shocking Development, Make your Flashlight, The Science of the Electric Guitar, Whirly Swirly Pipe Making Sounds, Make Your Ice Cream, Doodle Bots, Slinky Fall, Football Fizzicks, Fold and Fly, Anatomy Assembly, Mini Metric Olympics, Quivervision, Slippery Slime, Penny Boats, and Mix with Minions.

Several Farmingdale High School clubs played a massive part in the night’s success—Robotics, Science Olympiad, Women In STEM, Science Research Club, Real Harmony, Health Science Club, and Theatre students. Teacher volunteers from the district’s six buildings were also on hand to help the event run smoothly.

A big thank you to the Farmingdale Teacher Center (FTC), who helped support the preparation for the night, and to the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers (FFT) for donating the STEAM Night string bags that were given to all the guests.

An event as grand as STEAM Night doesn’t happen without countless hours of planning and re-planning. Farmingdale School District’s Director of Science, Dr. Kristen Cummings, National Science Honor Society Members, their advisors Sara Whitaker, Mike Boyd, and STEAM Night Coordinators Tatiana Hakimian and Julie Bonventere can rest assured that STEAM Night was a hit with families. The Daler community can not wait for next year’s event!

The Atelier at Flowerfield hosted its Second Annual Art Student Invitational. The exhibition encourages the work of Middle and High School student artists in all visual arts (except photography and video). Works created by advanced placement Farmingdale High School art students Amya Johnson and Kira Moscoso were honored with several awards. Art teacher Cara Martin attended the exhibit with her talented students to show support.

“Kira is highly motivated; she is skilled in a variety of media and even enjoys painting outside of class,” said Farmingdale High School art teacher Cara Martin. “Amya enjoys oil painting and collage and is always eager to explore new materials. She will be pursuing art in college.”

Junior Kira Moscoso had two oil on canvas paintings selected for the exhibition. Amazed was chosen as a staff choice and was awarded first place. The Tools for Expression was used on several pieces of the Atelier’s event media. Senior Amya Johnson also had two oil on canvas paintings featured at the exhibition. Freeze and her staff choice piece What’s Our Worth. Congratulations to both Daler artists and their teacher on this incredible achievement.

The Middle and High School Student Artists Juried Show is on display through March 30 at The Altelier’s 2,000-square-foot gallery at 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, in St. James. The gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the exhibit is free to attend.

A record seven Farmingdale High School band students participated in the New York State Band Directors Association (NYSBDA) Symposium in Syracuse, NY in early March.

Fiona Andrew, Grace Stabile, Luke Aldieri, Shea Hiotidis, Chris Cruciata, Nick Suwalski, and Chris Ruotolo, were selected from hundreds of applicants from all grades across NY state after being nominated by Farmingdale High School teacher, Mr. David Abrams. The Symposium offered engaging seminars on leadership and musicality in between rehearsals. The event concluded with the High School Honor Band concert.

Fed up with a world of insurance salesmen and petty problems, two miscreants flee to the kingdom of the birds for a simpler life—their only obstacle—the wrath of the gods. Farmingdale Playcrafters presented The Birds on March 16th. A hilarious and satirical look at politics, religion, and the foolishness of humanity that revives and revamps Aristophanes’ classic comedy.

“The Birds provides a great acting opportunity since most characters are birds,” said director Mr. Glen Beck. “Students had to research their birds and adapt the physical attributes and mannerisms of the creature into their acting.”

The cast includes Eemonn McLoughlin (Pithetaerus), Devin Williams (Eulipides), Rebecca Kenjesky (Hawk), Trinity Babino (Epops), Thomas Haggerty (Procne), Gil Bitsimis (Red-Footed Boobie), Lucia Assalone (Blue-Footed Boobie), Gabriella Stein (Hummingbird), Joseph Magazzo (Flamingo), Bella McDonald (Passenger Pigeon), Victoria Morra (Dodo), Lily Scalfani (Kiwi), Skylar Studdert (Parrot), Isabella Winter (Crow), Angelina Pascutto (Bat), Ryan Marbit (Ostrich), Ava Lanot (Lark), Allison Banz (Penguin), Kaylin Cleere (Mockingbird/Swing), Christian Gordon (Seagull/Swing), Clay Bany (Investment Banker/Poseidon), Addison Moller (Lawyer/Siberian Crane), Alex Cosentino (Hercules/Parakeet), Madelyn Jimenez (Activist/Iris), Carly Pain (Insurance Agent/Mgrachuchuk), Emily Gaba (Internet Spammer/Dove), and Victor Dreher (Prometheus/Owl).

The Birds marks the Playcrafter’s return to theater in the round since their 2019 performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the round is a form of staging in which the audience surrounds the acting area. The close proximity between the audience and the actors is believed to lead to a more immersive experience.

“The cast enjoyed performing in the round,” said director Mr. Glen Beck. “It’s a different experience and teaches them to interact with an audience ”

There will be three additional performances of Farmingdale Playcrafters’ presentation of The Birds: Friday, March 17, at 7 pm and Saturday, March 18, at 1 pm and 7 pm.