Lynbrook connects technology, art & community service in STEAM project

On Board Online • May 2, 2016

By Eric D. Randall
Editor-in-Chief

When New York's Lynbrook Union Free School District bought a couple of low-end 3-D printers, art teacher Michael Kunz and technology teacher Paul Rotstein had fun experimenting with them. What emerged was a partnership with a local hospital and a project that ended up benefiting children with cerebral palsy and other medical conditions.

In a session at NSBA's Annual Conference in Boston entitled, "Creating an Authentic STEAM Initiative," the teachers described a collaboration in which technology students interviewed children at a hospital, then designed and created toys and adaptive aids for them. Meanwhile, graphic design students created colorful packaging and simple instructions.

Perhaps the most life-changing product developed was a device that enabled a disabled boy to grasp a remote control for the Nintendo Wii, so he could play video games with his siblings.

While teachers found plenty of uses for the low-end 3-D printers, the district purchased one of commercial quality to produce certain prototypes, such as:

• A u-shaped adaptive spoon.
• A stylus with a custom-designed handgrip, enabling a girl to more accurately use an iPad.

When these objects were presented to the children, they came in packages created by graphic design students that were as sophisticated as anything found on the shelf of a mass merchandizer. Each had a brand identity, a color scheme, instructions for use and three-dimensional packaging.

District officials said they would be happy to help districts interested in creating a similar initiative. Contact administrator Vincent Lentini at vlentini@ lynbrook.k12.ny.us .