The East Islip School Business Partnership recently hosted its annual STEAM events in the East Islip High School gymnasium to prepare students for future careers utilizing skills in science, technology, engineering, art and math. STEAM Night, held on March 5, was open to all students in the district as well as community members, while STEAM Day on March 6 featured all of the district’s second, fourth and eighth graders – from East Islip Middle School, John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Ruth C. Kinney Elementary School visiting the events. On display at this event were hands-on activities and demonstrations to showcase the many classes, clubs and careers related to STEAM.  

Allstate Insurance and Zebra Technology sponsored this year’s STEAM events, with other participating employers including Thomas D. Blore Architect; Cetera Investors; Cradle of Aviation Museum; East Islip Public Library; Stony Brook Medicine; Suffolk County Department of Labor; the Town of Islip historian; and the Town of Islip Planning, Engineering and Human Resource Department.

More than 80 high school students volunteered for the events, including members of Art Honor Society, Math Honor Society, STEAM Club, Robotics Club and robotics classes, cosmetology classes, WFTK Studios and broadcasting classes, Elementary STEAM Educators K-6 and Middle School technology classes, career experience and career exploration classes, as well as those from the School Business Partnership.
For the 2025 STEAM events, a new bonus prize competition was added. Students who attended the evening event on March 5 were able to enter a drawing to name the East Islip High School Robotics Club’s competition robot. The winner was RCK’s Avery Jansen, who was awarded a $50 Amazon gift card for her suggested robot name Gearo the Great.

“This event is a team effort and truly a partnership between businesses, educators and administration,” East Islip School Business Partnership Coordinator Bridget Lopiccolo said. “This event has grown over the past couple of years as employers are eager to get involved. Employers know that getting involved with schools and helping to build programs like this is how they will grow their future workforce. If you remember that STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math, these are key areas that are currently growing exponentially and will be in great need of employees in the future. These students will be the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers as well as people who are able to understand and grow with technology. When you see the students come in to our STEAM events, and their eyes light up with excitement, then you know you are doing the right thing.  We need to get students excited and passionate about their natural talents, helping to grow the abilities which they can use as future careers.”