Fourth graders at Mills Pond Elementary School worked together in small groups to design a vehicle with a restraint system that would keep an egg safe during impact.

As part of a Project Lead the Way lesson, and in conjunction with their energy and collisions unit, the students were tasked keeping their egg protected during an impact. Using their vex kits, the students first created a vehicle. They were given a list of components they could use to keep their egg safe, including bubble wrap, aluminum foil, cotton, pipe cleaners, rubber bands, plastic wrap and pipe cleaners. They could use any or all of the materials in the kit to protect their eggs during impact. The eggs also had to be easily removed from the vehicle.

After testing their engineering and design skills with a plastic egg, the students used ramps and put their designs to the test to see if they indeed could keep their real eggs safe.

Fifth graders in Diane Lanze’s class at Mills Pond Elementary School created Valentines for Veterans to be sent to the veterans hospital in Northport. The cards shared some love and kindness in time for the special day.

Mills Pond Elementary School recently conducted its annual Soup-er Bowl collection, facilitated by the fourth grade members of the school’s Cares Club. The Cares Club members collected cans during the last few weeks from the school community. The school competed grade level versus grade level and, in total, collected 1,247 cans for the those in need. All nonperishable items will be donated to Long Island Cares.

During a recent Project Lead the Way lesson, second graders in Barbara Haining’s class at Mills Pond Elementary School had to design different structures using just popsicle sticks. Using the grooved sticks, the students created rural and urban structures. The lesson was part of an English language arts and social studies unit on the three community types: rural, urban and suburban.

Fifth graders at Mills Pond Elementary School spread joy in their community this holiday season. The students created cards and crafts for seniors at the St. James Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center across the street from their school. The students walked to the center to sing carols. They also created cards for servicemen and women in local hospitals.

Members of the Cares Club at Mills Pond Elementary School organized a giving tree for a collection of hats, gloves, scarves and face masks for those in need in their local community. In addition, the club raised close to $900 for the Make a Change fundraiser. Each grade level competed by bringing in spare change to benefit the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Students in Mrs. Haining and Mrs. Patel’s class at Mills Pond Elementary School spent the month of December growing the Grinch’s heart by showing random acts of kindness and displaying their acts on hearts for their wall. On Grinch Day, they participated in different English language arts, math and word study activities related to the character. The class also had a special visit from Frosty the Snowman. All hearts grew at Mills Pond Elementary School this holiday season.