Pfeiffer-Burleigh's STEAM Nights

Siobhan Peterson-Walsh

Pfeiffer-Burleigh children take part in a Jackson Pollock-inspired activity at the most recent STEAM night.

Thursday, Mar. 19

Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School is due to host their third STEAM Family Engagement Night of the year. These nights, held twice a year, are made possible after the Crayola Creativity Alive grant was awarded to three Pfeiffer Burleigh teachers. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) teacher Siobhan Peterson-Walsh, art teacher Laura Hirsh, and community school director Meghan Easter collectively represent one of just 20 schools awarded this grant nationwide. 

In an event specifically for Pfeiffer-Burleigh families, the vision of these nights is to engage a stronger bond between both their home and school lives. This in turn leads to a stronger community and provides the chance for families to be exposed to quality STEAM based experiences. It is important that families have the opportunities to make everlasting memories by spending quality time together, the hosts of these nights feel. They also believe that families having access to the enriching learning experiences that STEAM can provide is essential. 

These early evening engagements see the work of a famous featured artist introduced (following a family dinner) while families rotate through three hands-on STEAM activities. Not only do the families get to have the fun but community volunteers do as well, thanks to the United Way of Erie County, Erie Insurance, ServErie, Family Services of NWPA, local colleges and universities, and various other community-based and non-profit organizations. 

Previous events have featured the work of artists Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. Activity stations have included things like painting on huge sheets of paper using pom-pom catapults and different shaped pendulums, creating short stop motion animation videos with Crayola Model Magic clay and iPads, and much more. 

There are only two remaining STEAM nights that are a part of the grant. The third will explore mechanisms and optical illusions while the fourth will focus on architecture and build challenges. So get the family packed into the car and pull up on a great family and community bonding experience. — Symoné Crockett

4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. // Pfeiffer-Burleigh Community School, 235 E. 11th St. // Free for Pfeiffer-Burleigh families // All ages // eriesd.org