Students from the Enterprise enrichment program at Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue elementary schools celebrated the end of the school year with a special presentation for families and guests in Centre Avenue's STEM lab. Fifth and sixth graders presented on June 10, followed by third and fourth graders on June 11.

The Enterprise program serves elementary students in East Rockaway who have demonstrated high academic achievement and intellectual capability. Although the program is housed at Centre Avenue, Rhame Avenue students travel there weekly. Teacher Michelle Healy leads the program, which focuses on developing skills in independent study, research, creative thinking, and critical evaluation.

This year's third and fourth grade students immersed themselves in the topic of conservation. Their end-of-year presentation was run entirely by the students, who managed the slideshow as they guided guests through the year's highlights. Activities included writing business letters to conservation organizations, reading related literature, taking a boat ride at Captree State Park to study local marine life, and visiting the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center. Three students also delivered a detailed presentation on a project-based learning initiative in which they developed a proposal for a conservation club they hope to launch in the elementary schools next year.

Beyond conservation, students shared their experiences learning to debate, competing in the Math Olympiads tournament at Adelphi University and their collective enthusiasm for sudoku. They closed the afternoon by leading guests in an interactive animal trivia game and sending everyone home with a sudoku puzzle.

It was a memorable afternoon and a testament to the curiosity, confidence and growth these young scholars brought to every corner of the Enterprise program this year.