Fourth graders showcase science projects; superintendent highlights grants, events and student achievements

A group of fourth graders described classroom design‑challenge projects and work they will display at the Nipmuc Science Symposium next week, and Superintendent Dr. Cohen reviewed recent district events, awards and grant activity during the meeting.

Students introduced themselves by name and described group projects built from recyclable materials using the design process. Fourth grader Liam said, “Hi. My name is Liam, and we're here tonight representing Miss Balinski's fourth grade class. We have been invited to present at Nipmuc Science Symposium on April 1 during the school day.” Classmate Lucy described a self‑watering seed holder and explained part of the construction process: “My project is about a self watering seed holder... I used a cupcake holder… we poke some holes… we put a water bottle… then we poured water in… we put tape around it and pack. Then it worked, and then you planted seeds.” Other students described a crafting table, a water filter project and teamwork roles within groups. Presenters said the class used recyclable materials and followed the design steps: ask, explore, model, evaluate and explain.

Superintendent Dr. Cohen gave district updates following the student comments. He listed recent service and fundraising activities, noted the jazz ensemble earned a gold medal at the Massachusetts Association for Jazz Education state finals and said the district received two Project Lead The Way expansion grants from the 1 8 Foundation totaling $13,000. He also said the district received a Mass Cultural Council grant to support a multicultural night in May and reminded the committee that the district newsletter and website would publish event and capital project information. Dr. Cohen highlighted a number of school events, community partnerships and applied‑learning initiatives that he said are returning since the pandemic, including an elementary literacy and STEM night, a drone team demonstration and mentorship programming supported partly with federal Title II‑A funds.

Students and staff said they hope the symposium experience will expand participation in future years; presenters noted Jim Gorman’s grant helped fund elementary participation this year. The superintendent asked the committee and community to serve as judges at the symposium and signaled outreach materials would go out through the district newsletter.

The student remarks were given during the public student comments portion of the agenda; the superintendent’s updates followed as part of the administrator report.