With only a few weeks left till summer, another school year is sadly coming to a close. But before it’s over, we would like to tell you about a group of rock star elementary school students: the kids in LSC's "Scientist In Me" program!

LSC launched "Scientist In Me" during the 2015/2016 school year. For this program, LSC visited each kindergarten through second grade class at the Hudson School in Union City once per month to deliver activities designed to help kids develop their inner scientist. In addition to co-teaching during these visits, LSC provided professional development to improve the daily science teaching at these schools.

Last year, this program reached approximately 240 students.

Based on an overwhelmingly positive response, LSC expanded the "Scientist in Me" program for the 2016/17 school year in Union City going from pre-K through third grade. We also added Jersey City PS 24 K-3 students, and the Step-By-Step after school program in Hoboken.

In total, we reached 655 students this year, and we have even more interest for the 2017/18 school year.

Check out some of our favorite photos from the brilliant students in the "Science In Me" program this year:

In this photo, second graders from PS 24 are working with a 3D modeling program called Morphi to develop their own unique biomimetic designs. Here, the two students show off their concept for a pair of eyeglasses inspired by an eagle’s eyes. They identified many situations in which having the advanced vision that birds have would be a great benefit to human beings.

Later, these students would see their design come to life as a 3D-printed model in LSC’s MakerLab.

Third graders from Union City were tasked with designing a vehicle that could safely transport an egg from point to another in their classroom. Using common household materials such as plates and mylar balloons (photographed above), the students came up with their unique design and then crash tested their creation.

First graders from PS 24 in Jersey City received a year-long lesson in hydroponics as they grew basil from seeds. The lesson started indoors in January and continued through the winter with lots of discussion on what living things need in order to grow and survive. As a culminating activity, the students and their teachers transplanted their basil plants to an outdoor garden that would serve as a science project and school beautification project in one.

Thanks to all the students for a terrific school year! We can't wait for the program to start up again.