Families and administrators came to Woonsocket HS cafeteria for a wonderful potluck and science night where students were the teachers of activities they had done in their clubs. SMILE Executive Director, Carol Englander welcomed Connecting for Children and Family staff, School Superintendent Dr. McGee, principals, teachers, URI engineering staff part of a Department of Defense grant, and over 250 family members plus 12 SMILE students. After a delicious potluck, families and administrators participated in all the activities. Elementary students involved families in the science of making Ice cream, making marble runs with paper towel and toilet paper rolls, the science behind finger printing, and building strongest geometric structures using toothpicks and gumdrops.

Middle school SMILE activities included making thread spool racers, designing a better bandaid, making the strongest pasta towers, and mento fountains. High school SMILE students had parents testing a cotton ball launcher, balloon powered cars, a medical device to pick up small parts, and explained their field trip to URI East Farm where they learned about pollinators and picked apples for the local food banks and their own families. There was a raffle at the end of the evening and many families went home with science “toys”. Good food and fun was had by all. Parents felt by attending this event where their children were the teachers had a positive impact on their children going to college

Families and administrators came to Claiborne Pell Elementary School cafeteria for a delcious potluck and science night where students got to teach their parents about the projects they had done in their clubs. SMILE Executive Director, Carol Englander welcomed teachers, URI engineering staff part of a Department of Defense grant, and over 150 family members plus 120 SMILE students. Families and administrators participated in all the activities.

First was a delicious potluck, followed by the students exhibiting their activities. The activities at Newport were the same as at Woonsocket, with Elementary students showing the science of making marble runs with paper towel and toilet paper rolls, finger printing, building tetrahedral kites, and building the sturdiest geometric structures using toothpicks and gumdrops. Middle school SMILE activities included making thread spool racers, designing better bandaids, designing the strongest pasta towers, and more. High school SMILE parents tested a cotton ball launcher, balloon powered cars, and a medical device to pick up small parts. URI engineering staff had families learning how to make submarines dive and resurface using special water bottles and a water tank. Everyone had fun teaching and participating in the activities. Parents were happy to see the positive impact that SMILE and its teachers has on their children.

Quotes:
“Owen loves the different projects and he is quite good at retelling the steps. We think it is a fantastic program and a great way to engage the kids with science and math.”

“We appreciate the enrichment it provides beyond the standard STEM curriculum. Our daughter loves the program!”

“Ethan has been in SMILE since 4 th grade and enjoys the weekly meetings, often talking excitingly about projects, challenges and field trips.”

Thompson Middle School, in conjunction with Rogers High School, visited Roger Williams Zoo on November 17th. On one of the warmest days of the fall season, students had the opportunity to visit animals from across the globe. Due to the good weather, students were able to observe most of the animals out and about. They were challenged with completing an animal scavenger hunt, which required them to locate specific animals, their habitats, diet and adaptations.  Most students found all required species as the animals were particularly active on this day.  Overall, students had an amazing experience learning about various animal species and what we can do to ensure they continue to roam our planet.

On the 29th, Westerley High School students travelled to Norman Bird Sanctuary. It was a new experience for some of the students, and a few were unsure about travelling deeper down the trail through the forest. But they eventually found their way to a spectacular view. Their guides, Elijah and Emma, drescribed the geology of Rhode Island’s coasts as the eastern coastlines are much different from that of Westerly’s. They also learned about a unique rock formation called Puddingstone, which comes out of the Norman Bird Sanctuary forest. They explained how it was formed and exposed by glaciers. They learned about food for overwintering birds that want to settle in warmer climates during the winter season. Although students were not able to see many birds, it was agreed that another trip in the spring should be made in order to see more of them as well as how the landscape changes from season to season. Many students were also excited to come back with their families next time to show them all that the sanctuary has to offer.