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H.S. student learns how to fight injustice and a clear focus on five core goals: wonder, explore, inquire, create and reflect. District Superintendent More than 100 Uniondale elementary students took part Monique Darrisaw-Akil and in three days of hands-on State Sen. Siela Bynoe attendlearning at the Long Island ed the museum visit on July Children’s Museum, as part of 15. Bynoe secured $22,500 for the districts Passport to Inno- the Uniondale district in the 2025 state budget vation summer for opportunities program, which like this. Both blends innovation, assistant princiliteracy and crepals agreed that ativity. Bynoe’s atten“This is our dance showed how first year running much she supthe program, so we ports students in revamped it a little the community. to do more of the At the museum, innovation,” Calistudents rotated fornia Avenue through interacSchool Assistant tive stations that Principal Natasha sparked their Garret said. curiosity and creAfter 13 years as ativity, including a program, the ele- APRIl FRAnCISbuilding with mentary summer TAYloR Keva planks — initiative was simple wooden renamed Summer Passport to Innovation four blocks for creating structures years ago to better reflect its u s i n g o n l y b a l a n c e a n d focus on creativity and discov- design — exploring a communication station, making ery. California Avenue Assis- giant bubbles and learning tant Principals Michelle Min- about pollinators at the Feast nelli and Garret led the pro- for Bees exhibit. To keep groups small, gram as first-time co-coordinators, bringing fresh energy
By STACY DRIKS
sdriks@liherald.com
Holden Leeds/Herald photos
Sixteen students were selected from the HempsteadWorks Summer Youth Employment Program for a six-week drone program focused on operation, construction and business development. They graduated on Aug 14 at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.
L.I. teens earn their drone licenses At Cradle of Aviation, a unique STEM experience By STACY DRIKS sdriks@liherald.com
Two Uniondale High School students, another from Hempstead High School and 14 others from across Long Island earned Federal Aviation Administration drone licenses last week at the Drone Aviators of Tomorrow graduation. The ceremony took place Aug. 14 at the Engineering the Future Exhibit at the Cradle of Aviation Museum, where the new graduates were surrounded by a variety of drones hanging from the ceiling as well as three drone simulators that allow visitors to try their hand at flying a virtual drone. Samuel Aristhide, 18, of Uniondale, reached two significant milestones this summer: graduating from Uniondale High and completing the drone program, which gives students ages 16 to 20 the opportunity to earn a license in six weeks.
“I didn’t think I would make it this far,” Aristhide said. “I just finished high school — now let’s go through another schooling process to get this license. “Honestly, the program was pretty good, and Thomas is a great teacher,” Aristhide added, referring to Thomas Hogg, the museums public programs coordinator. “I got my part 107” — the aviation world’s term for a drone license — “so that’s proof how far I can go in the program.” Next month Aristhide will start work on an electrical engineering degree at the New York Institute of Technology. Hogg helped run the ground school and gave the students hands-on experience with flying drones. “The wonderful thing (about) the drone license is just the entire ground school that you need for getting your Cessna (general aircraft) pilot’s license,” Hoggs said. “It’s the same work that a pilot does for the ground school without the fun part of ConTinuEd on PAgE 10
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art of Abygayle’s interview, she talked about wanting to be an advocate and having her voice uplifted.
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