Greenvale students took on the roles of architects and engineers when they designed and built longhouses and wigwams. Fourth graders in Toni Gamils class worked in groups this month to complete the project.

Students first learned how Native Americans constructed their dwellings with sticks, trees and other natural resources before they drew their designs and started building. The class used cardboard, craft sticks, felt and other modern-day materials. 

The project employed STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) techniques throughout the lesson.

After the students built their houses, they evaluated the structures and determined what improvements they could implement.

Twenty-five schools in Westchester County received the award for math and science initiatives this month. "We want to promote math and science,” said Jamal. “If we can provide new books or other items that are needed, that is a great opportunity." 

Jamal oversees three Exxon Mobil stations in the area. This is the second year that Eastchester has received this donation.

On Feb. 12, fifth grade orchestra students from Anne Hutchinson and Greenvale performed at the Lake Isle Senior Nutrition Center and you couldn’t miss the toe-tapping and smiles.

Read the full story here | View the image gallery here