• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

McNeal Elementary hosts STEAM Night


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 8:45 a.m. April 19, 2024
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
  • Schools
  • Share

Clayton Medford, a sixth grader at R. Dan Nolan Middle School, stood beside Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary School third grader Jeremy Hoyos and showed him how to use a controller to move a robot. 

Medford, who spent at least 100 hours building his robot, was showcasing it during McNeal Elementary's STEAM Night April 18. The robots were available to promote the school's VEX program. 

Medford said it was a new experience to be able to share his robot with McNeal Elementary students. Medford attended Robert E. Willis Elementary School. 

"It's cool to see these kids trying to have fun with the robot I spent hours building," he said. 

The robotics station was one of several STEAM Night activities, including making paper airplanes, coding, gardening, constructing a container for stuffed animals and measuring heart rates. 

Amber Ward watches as her first grader Grayson Ward tests his paper airplane.
Amber Ward watches as her first grader Grayson Ward tests his paper airplane.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Fourth grader Parker Poplaski and fifth grader Ethan Drackett are hard at work constructing a container that could carry a stuffed animal.
Fourth grader Parker Poplaski and fifth grader Ethan Drackett are hard at work constructing a container that could carry a stuffed animal.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Fifth grader Hannah Wojtkowski says she wanted to make a container that would allow someone to carry a stuffed animal with ease while also being comfortable for the stuffed animal.
Fifth grader Hannah Wojtkowski says she wanted to make a container that would allow someone to carry a stuffed animal with ease while also being comfortable for the stuffed animal.
Photo by Liz Ramos
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
First grader Anna Lum blows a ball through a maze at the wind powered maze activity.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Students' artwork is on display throughout the hallway.
Students' artwork is on display throughout the hallway.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Third grader Jeremy Hoyos listens carefully as R. Dan Nolan Middle Schooler sixth grader explains how to use the controller to move the robot he created.
Third grader Jeremy Hoyos listens carefully as R. Dan Nolan Middle Schooler sixth grader explains how to use the controller to move the robot he created.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Third grader Avril Mordecai loves her new creation.
Third grader Avril Mordecai loves her new creation. "It looks normal when it's not spinning, but when it is spinning, it looks like a 'color-cane,'" she says.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Fourth grader Austin Conner hops along to the music in an African hopscotch.
Fourth grader Austin Conner hops along to the music in an African hopscotch.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Second grader Jase Piercy beams with pride about his artwork.
Second grader Jase Piercy beams with pride about his artwork.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Kindergartner Zyla Jo Piercy shows off her artwork.
Kindergartner Zyla Jo Piercy shows off her artwork.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Second grader Calen Magnant is excited to see his plant grow. He says the plant station was his favorite because he likes dirt.
Second grader Calen Magnant is excited to see his plant grow. He says the plant station was his favorite because he likes dirt.
Photo by Liz Ramos
First grader Halle Huber uses a hula hoop to get her heart rate up so she can measure it as part of a STEAM activity.
First grader Halle Huber uses a hula hoop to get her heart rate up so she can measure it as part of a STEAM activity.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

Latest News

Officer Nick Dominis and Coti worked together since 2014.
  • February 16, 2026
Sarasota will honor memory of longtime police dog
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Students in Manatee schools begin learning cursive in third grade. With House Bill 127, that might change to second grade instead. It would also require fifth graders to be evaluated to prove proficiency.
  • February 11, 2026
Cursive writing requirements would change if proposed legislation passes
The School District of Manatee County's Superintendent Laurie Breslin, Educator of the Year Clifford Dawson and Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services Derek Jensen pose for a photo at the Excellence in Education Awards on Feb. 4.
  • February 9, 2026
Braden River High band director named Educator of the Year
Second graders Jordan Davis, Dominic Michalo and Sloan Middleton wave flags of Puerto Rico, which was the country they were assigned for the Tara Elementary School Olympics.
  • February 7, 2026
Tara Elementary hosts its own Winter Olympics
Myakka City Elementary first graders Delanee Verly and Emma Kelly check out the wide variety of books for sale during the CommUNITY Night.
  • February 1, 2026
Myakka City Elementary hosts Community Night
The School District of Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin, School Board Chair Cindy Spray, Vice Chair Richard Tatem, and School Board Members Heather Felton and Charlie Kennedy were among the group of people to break ground on AAA High School.
  • January 24, 2026
Manatee School District breaks ground for new Lakewood Ranch high school
Tara Elementary Principal Laura Campbell tells fifth grader Melany Ojeda that she is a future leader and can do anything she wants to do as long as she goes after it.
  • January 21, 2026
Tara Elementary principal reminisces before taking on new adventure

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now