On Thursday, April 4, Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) has planned an opportunity for students to exercise their creativity. The third annual STEAM Flight Night will be held at Paradise Elementary School, 20 Belmont Road, Paradise, from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited. The STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) event will give visitors the opportunity to experience firsthand how students learn about those subjects in PVSD.

"The main gist of the event is a combination of what was our science fair and art show," said teacher Mallory VanLeer. "We have added to that night with STEM-related activities, so it's a chance for kids to see the art show and some science projects and do some interactive STEAM activities and have a good time."

The arts segment of the evening will include an art showcase featuring works by students in kindergarten through grade 12. "We display what they have been working on throughout the year," said VanLeer, who noted that art on display from all four PVSD schools will include two- and three-dimensional pieces, mixed- media creations, paintings, watercolors, drawings, and sculptures. The 2023 STEAM Flight Night included an interactive space where participating students could create drawings attached to a bigger mural space. "They had all kinds of tools with which to create a mini artwork to become part of the larger mural," said VanLeer, who added that an interactive art-making space will offer a variation of that project this year.

Teacher Rob Webb will talk about the eclipse due to occur on Monday, April 8, and offer a student activity connected to his discussion. Science projects made by students in kindergarten through sixth grade will be on display. "Our tech education team will hold a tallest tower competition, along with a showcase of robots constructed by learners," said VanLeer. In addition, a hand-built hydraulic claw machine made by students will be on display. Logo designs for the event T-shirts were created by students in the Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) CORE program.

"We will also have the makers market," shared VanLeer, who explained that the market gives any child in PVSD a place to offer wares for sale. "If you have a sixth-grader making friendship bracelets, they can sell them there," said VanLeer.

Music during the event will be provided by the Pequea Valley Intermediate School Brave Sounds and the PVHS jazz band.

PVHS National Honor Society students will serve as volunteers.

Readers who would like to know more about the district may visit http://www.pequeavalley.org.