Jerry Seabaugh, from Woodworkers of Central Ohio, explains cutting and measuring to McVay students.
Approximately 1,600 community members gathered at Westerville North High School on Sunday afternoon, April 23, to enjoy the fifth annual Starry Night event, geared towards students in preschool through 8th grade and their families. Westerville Partners for Education (WPE) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital hosted the free festival, which highlighted the connection between arts and science through dozens of hands-on activities. This year’s program took on a “Maker” theme – Yesterday’s Tools – Tomorrow’s Technology – focusing on student projects built from the school district’s expanding Maker Space program.
Participants got to visit zones dedicated to medicine, astronomy, machines, arts and crafts and science and math. Student projects were also showcased, plus 650 free books were given away through WPE’s Book Bonanza program. Among many new features this year was a Tiny House that was on display, thanks to the Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center.
WPE cultivates relationships with organizations, businesses and individuals to help enrich and enhance learning in the Westerville City Schools. The group links volunteers, organizations and corporations with schools to promote innovative learning experiences, pursue grant and corporate funding on behalf of academic programs, and build networks of support for education across the community.