Susquenita Elementary School  is proud to announce the addition of a STEAM makerspace, a classroom available to all Susquenita Elementary teachers which encourages students to explore their world and learn valuable lessons about science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) through project-based learning.  

The makerspace is the idea of Ms. Sarah Baer, elementary school STEM specialist, who wanted to create a community space within Susquenita Elementary that is accessible to all  teachers.  The idea is that teachers will reserve the makerspace and bring their classes there to work on STEAM-focused and project-based lessons.  The space is filled with the materials necessary for experimentation, exploration, building and creating.  Teachers bring the lessons, and students bring their curiosity.  “I’m so glad to see this vision come to life. Students learn best in environments where they can explore, invent, make, play, and grow through hands-on learning experiences. The makerspace is a dedicated classroom for all of that and more. I can’t wait to see what incredible things our Blackhawks and teachers learn and create in this space.”

The classroom is filled with the tools necessary to learn, and the bright, colorful space encourages creativity, collaboration and innovation.  Students can visit the book nook and read books about coding, engineering, and STEAM-related jobs.  At the creation station, students can build a marble run, or try their hand at architecture with magnetic building tiles and KEVA planks.  The largest installation is the Wonder Window, where students can take turns writing STEM-focused questions of what they are wondering on the windows, and other students can research the questions and write their answers on the window in reply.  The makerspace also has an auxiliary room with a green screen for video creation and production.  

An instant hit with one student was the Lego building wall.  Built by two Susquenita High School tech ed students, the Lego wall provides a vertical space for building, different from the horizontal building space students might have at home.  “The Lego wall was my favorite part.  I like building and showing my creativity,” said third grade student Autumn Hoffman.  

The makerspace may have been the idea of Ms. Baer, but it came to life thanks to school and community support.  The project was made possible by the Susquenita Blackhawk Foundation, Susquenita Elementary families, Susquenita Elementary PTO, Mrs. Emily Book, Susquenita Gifted Teacher and Innovation Coach, Mrs. Michele Comp, Susquenita Elementary Principal, Drew Deaven and Drew Gibney, Class of 2024, Mrs. Jodi Fruhwirth, Susquenita Elementary  Computer Teacher and Technology Coach, and Mr. Blake Moore, Susquenita High School Technology Education Teacher.  

Click the link below to see a list of 3rd and 4th grade students who achieved honor roll and distinguished honor roll for Marking Period 2.  Congrats to our amazing students.  Go Blackhawks!

SES Honor Roll List - Marking Period 2

As part of this year’s Day of Caring, United Way held a “Stuff the Bus” signature project to collect health and school supplies for local children.

On Friday, September 9 community members dropped off supplies at collection sites in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties. More than 44,393 items were collected and $3,005 in cash and gift cards were also donated.

The supplies will be given to school districts participating in Ready for School, Ready to Succeed, a community initiative to help prepare children for kindergarten. School districts include Central Dauphin, Cumberland Valley, East Pennsboro, Greenwood, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg Area, Newport, Steelton-Highspire, Susquehanna Township, Susquenita and West Perry.

Susquenita Elementary's educational liaison, Ms. Bridget Gasper, brought approximately 3,000 items including glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils, crayons, backpacks, notebooks and paper, pencil boxes, tissue boxes, hand sanitizer, wipes and more to Susquenita Elementary School.  These items will go directly into the hands of our students, for both our Ready for School, Ready to Succeed early childhood program as well as our students in grades K-4. 

Of the program, Ms. Gasper said, “It was incredible to be a part of such an amazing day.  Our donation location was Heller’s Hardware in Newport, who received triple the amount of donations this year.  We are grateful to the community for their support.  It felt very impactful to let the donors know their generosity would have a direct positive impact on the students of Susquenita Elementary.” 

Thank you to everyone who donated! Special thanks to the United Way's Day of Caring sponsor Highmark Blue Shield.