How does a penguin stay warm and dry in the freezing cold conditions? The second graders at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School tested their knowledge during a STEM penguin day experiment on Feb. 25. Dressed in their penguin colors and matching masks, the students colored penguins using a waxy crayon. They then put droplets of water on their creations and noticed how the water repelled from the paper, the same way the oils on a penguin’s feathers repel water to keep them dry.

In celebration of Black History Month, the kindergarten students at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School learned how to paint like artist Alma Woodsey Thomas, who started her painting career at the age of 70. She was the first African American artist to have her work displayed in the Whitney Museum in Manhattan.

Fourth graders at Susan E. Wiley Elementary School in Ms. Dunn and Ms. Basso’s class recently combined their math, art and critical thinking skills to make origami hearts for Valentine’s Day. The students were tasked with following the directions step by step to create their own hearts using the folding technique.

In celebration of Black History Month, Great Neck Road Elementary School created a Black History Month museum in its gymnasium. Each class picked an influential figure in black history to research as a class during the last few weeks. Students in each class in every grade level researched important facts, dates and accomplishments about their chosen figure. Some notable figures included Jackie Robinson, Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Simone Biles, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and even Princess Tiana.

In Mrs. Mullins’ fourth grade class, the students researched and presented on Ruby Bridges. They learned about her story and her work as a civil activist. Each student created a Google Slide presentation, using WebQuest and videos to gather information. Each presentation contained images as well as three important accomplishments.

Upon completion of the Black History Month research, the museum was set up on Feb. 25 and 26. Each class displayed a poster of their figure featuring all the gathered research. Classes took turns visiting the museum and doing a poster walk to learn about each person.