Hosting Organization: Marion P Thomas Charter Schools
County: Essex
Excitement filled the halls of Marion P. Thomas Charter School during the school’s 3rd Annual Community Night, as families, students, and community members gathered for an evening of exploration and connection. This year’s theme, Full S.T.R.E.A.M. Ahead, expanded the traditional STEAM focus to include Literacy, creating an engaging and immersive evening of hands-on learning and creativity across all disciplines.
From the moment guests arrived, they were immersed in discovery. Bricks 4 Kidz encouraged students to engineer their own structures, while others explored science through blood typing and plant propagation. In the school’s state-of-the-art kitchen, aspiring young chefs joined the Culinary Team to craft their own personalized pizza pies.
STEM activities were front and center, with students designing robotic hands using straws and string, launching balloon-powered cars, and experimenting with baking soda and vinegar reactions to inflate balloons. Tech-savvy students explored the world of coding with Scratch, designing and playing their own games. And one of the biggest hits of the night? The always-popular slime station, drawing excitement from students of all ages—from PreK to high school.
Community partners added meaningful depth to the evening. Students 2 Science hosted an informative table with giveaways, introducing high schoolers to exciting STEM opportunities. Dr. Mazzola, a pediatric neurosurgeon representing MDFAME (Medical Doctors Fostering Awareness in Medical Education), shared important safety tips about helmet use for biking and scootering. Meanwhile, Learning Ally worked with PreK–3rd grade parents, offering effective read-aloud strategies and rewarding participants with a chance to win a $50 gift card. Even a local laundromat stepped in to support the community by donating additional gift cards.
From building and experimenting to cooking and connecting, the evening was more than just an event—it was a joyful celebration of learning, curiosity, and community spirit. Marion P. Thomas Charter School looks forward to making next year’s STREAM night even more memorable.