An ELECTRIFYING Art Experience
Hundreds of children and adults headed to the Rye Arts Center on January 11 for the first “STEM+Arts” family day.
Hundreds of children and adults headed to the Rye Arts Center on January 11 for the first “STEM+Arts” family day.
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Imagination was the star performer as children and adults took center stage to design, build, create, and make art and music. Interactive demonstrations allowed young and old alike to experiment with new technology designed to integrate STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) + Arts. The focus on STEAM-based programming is a new one at the Arts Center, which is launching a variety of classes at the end of January.
“We are excited to be offering STEAM classes as a way to nurture creativity and innovation,” explained Helen Gates, Executive Director. “The arts are critically important to developing creative thinking skills. Fusing STEM+Arts will broaden our curriculum to meet the needs of 21st-century artists and designers.”
Using an assortment of everyday objects including bananas, boxes, and LEGOs, kids of all ages created music, operated robots, designed pictures and landscapes, and made sculptures and structures. The debut of a 3-D printer, on loan from MakerBot, was a favorite, as computer designs became real objects including miniature guitars, swords, and even a piggy bank. Other featured technology included MaKey MaKey, littleBits, Minecraft, and LEGO/K’NEX.
The day ended on a high note when students in The Music School performed a concert featuring pop tunes by current artists.
Hats off to Con Edison, trustee Gail Harrison Roman, Wallace Fox Foundation, and TD Bank for sponsoring the fabulous free event.
