JoAnn Belferder’s classroom was filled with energy for a lesson on that scientific concept on Nov. 20 at Newbridge Road Elementary School. Working in groups, students made rubber band racers that helped them understand the difference between potential and kinetic energy. 

The young scientists followed instructions to build the racers from two clear plastic cups and tops, along with paperclips, a pony bead, rubber band, straw and tape. They also need a pencil to help stretch the rubber band through two cups. When complete, they spun the straw to twist the rubber band, then put the racer on the floor and watched it move. 

After the contraptions were complete, the class came together to share the observations. They learned that potential energy was represented by the twisted rubber band, which became kinetic energy once the racer was free to move. Students also understood how it was essentially a simplistic version of a car engine. 

The science project fostered numerous skills including collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving. While every student in each group was assigned a specific role, their racer build wouldn’t be successful without teamwork and efficient communication. 

Click here to view the Swift Scientists Explore Energy at Newbridge Road slideshow.

 

Date Added: 12/4/2025

 

Integers, rational numbers and the coordinate plane may seem like advanced math concepts, but sixth graders at Saw Mill Road Elementary School are mastering the topics with ease thanks to a creative project.  

Students had to plot positive and negative numbers on a coordinate grid. Then, they connected the dots to reveal a mystery, fall-themed image. The pictures included acorns, footballs, ghosts, leaves, pumpkins and turkeys. The sixth graders then colored in their images to create lively mathematical creations.  

 

Date Added: 12/2/2025

The future is now at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School, where fifth graders are immersed in robotics.  

Computer science teacher Catherine Schlaich introduced students to Lego SPIKE kits to build and program carnival games. Working in teams, the young engineers had six options, such as bowling, hockey and mini-golf. They had to following the building instructions, install a battery, motor and sensors, then program movements in the SPIKE app on iPads. 

Students worked with Blockly, a visual programming editor, to write the code using drag-and-drop blocks. She said it builds upon their knowledge of Scratch coding, which they learned in fourth grade. After getting the movements to work, students had to modify and enhance their code.   

In the Avoid the Edge carnival game, students included a motor and color sensor, and had to program a bat to hit a ball, but not so hard that it went over the edge of the Lego base. The mini-golf game required programming a club to hit a ball and a light to go on when it reached the hole. A-Maze-Ing used a gyro sensor to tilt the entire base so a ball worked its way through a maze.  

As a culminating project, students will then create their own carnival games, which must use at least two electronic components. They won’t have instructions to follow then, so they must use their creativity while also following the engineering design process. The success will come from collaboration.  

“They have to work as a team in order for their robots to work,” Ms. Schlaich said. “Everybody’s got to be participating and helping each other out.”

 

Click here to view the Brick by Brick, Dinkelmeyer Students Build Bots slideshow.

 

Date Added: 11/25/2025

The generosity of Newbridge Road School students will benefit local families for Thanksgiving. The student council partnered with the PTA for a food drive, which resulted in the donation of hundreds of nonperishable goods.

Each grade was assigned specific items to donate, to ensure a variety of food was collected, including canned vegetables, cookies, juice, pasta and soup. Student council members checked the expiration dates on items, then sorted the food and packed bags to be distributed to local families before Thanksgiving. Extra donations will go to the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District’s Community Cupboard.  

Date Added: 11/21/2025

As they circled the back field at Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Nov. 3, students experienced how easy it is to get some exercise. The annual Gobble Run was hosted by the physical education department to promote health and fitness.

Physical education teachers Alyssa Parker and Anthony Novello set up cones around the field, and every five laps equaled one mile. Students and teachers could run, jog or walk, and some hearty youngsters exceeded 20 laps during their 40-minute sessions. The teachers marked their index cards at the completion of each lap.

Each grade level had a chance to partake in the Gobble Run, which served as a launching point for a cardiovascular fitness unit in physical education classes. Ms. Parker and Mr. Novello said they want students to create lifelong habits that promote health and fitness by seeing that activity can be as simple as taking a walk around the neighborhood.

The annual event occurs between Halloween and Thanksgiving, and students had a partly cloudy but dry fall day to enjoy the time outdoors. For their participation, children were encouraged to donate candy at a donation box in the lobby. The candy will be given to the Bellmore Lions Club for its Polar Express holiday event in December.

Click here to view the Saw Mill Students Enjoy Fitness and Friendship 2 slideshow.