“This year, 2018-19, Dunkirk City School District was awarded the Math and Science Partnership, so we work in correlation with SUNY Fredonia in implementing STEM in the elementary and middle schools,” kindergarten math and districtwide Elementary STEM coach Amanda Kulig explained. “This year we were very fortunate because our assistant superintendent blocked out, before the school year started, a STEM portion of time. So now, in every elementary schedule, they have a STEM block.”

The passion and excitement was contagious as kids, ages 4 to 11, sprinted through the school’s gymnasium, eager to share their creatively designed projects with visitors.

“We challenged them that they had to take recyclables and create something beautiful,” Kulig added. “The point is to get the family to spend time with one another. That’s why I think we have had such a great turnout today.”

Several children were excited to share their projects with the OBSERVER.

OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward Anna Marie Andrews and Yexeria Hernandez, kindergarteners.

“We were going to do a watering can with a milk carton,” third-grader Kaitlyn Coon explained. “But the milk didn’t empty out quick enough, so we did a bird feeder with a cat litter jug instead.”

“I made a Ferris wheel. You can move the seats! The fair gave me the idea,” Yaniel Sanchez, a fourth-grade student shared. When asked if it’s his favorite ride he responded that he “hasn’t ridden on the Ferris wheel in years, but I thought it’d be a creative idea.”

Other creative endeavors included a stylish hat made from a plastic bag by second-grader Clara Lack; a piggy bank made out of an animal cracker container by Dominik Csont, a first-grader; a Kleenex box alien by Yexeria Hernandez a kindergartener; potted flowers made from cream cheese boxes by another kindergartener, Anna Marie Andrews; an elaborate robot costume by fourth-grader Brayden Jaquith and a robot time machine by first grader Yami Rivera-Soto.

As each person entered the gym they were given a ticket to vote for their favorite project at the event. The standout winner, was a large cardboard Cinderella castle, complete with flags and a drawbridge created by second grader Yanangeliz Rios Ramos. Her prize was a gift basket filled with coloring books and games.

“The most important thing is the kids spending time with their families creating these projects,” Kulig stated. “They’re so into it because they’re spending so much time with their families; the turnout is just phenomenal. I’m so grateful for the support of our staff here at School 3, our community here in Dunkirk and all the districts throughout the whole city, because I work with all of them.”

OBSERVER Photo by Jo Ward Yaniel Sanchez, fourth-grader, shares his cleverly designed Ferris wheel.

Kulig would also like to remind the public that the Dunkirk elementary and middle schools are having a recycling challenge at the moment in the form of a can and bottle drive. Currently, whichever building raises the most money will be awarded a celebration party. After the drive is completed, the proceeds that the buildings take in will be donated to a charitable cause of that building’s choice.

People can drop off bags of cans and bottles to either King Cans, who donated the bins for collection, with a note of what building they’d like to donate to, or in the lobby of whichever building they wish to support.