Bay Shore, NY - October 22, 2013 - Suffolk County Legislator Tom Barraga (R-West Islip), Senator Phil Boyle (R- Babylon), Bay Shore School Superintendent Dr. Karen B. Salmon, representatives of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, faculty and students of Gardiner Manor Elementary School recently attended an assembly at the Gardiner Manor Elementary School in Bay Shore.
The assembly was called to congratulate four of their students who recently participated in a contest; the renaming of the new show at the planetarium located at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.
In March of last year the planetarium, which is located at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport, N.Y. reopened its doors after a $4 million dollar renovation.
Historically it has been a popular location for school field trips and laser light shows for all age levels. In keeping with their wonderful reputation for educational programs, the planetarium decided to run a contest whereby students who visited would have the opportunity to write about their experience and submit a new name for the school program they attended.
Last year third grade students from Gardiner Manor Elementary School were learning about how “writing has power” and were encouraged by their teachers to enter the contest after they took a school field trip to see the program titled “Introduction to the Solar System”.
Oliver Shellenberg, now a fourth grader submitted “Take a Wild Ride Through the Solar System” and was the winner of the contest.
Suggestions submitted by Lauren Moran, Jayde Nielsen and Tabitha Rivera, also fourth graders were recognized at the assembly.
Congratulations to the students and to Gardiner Manor Elementary School.
For more information about upcoming events at the planetarium and the Vanderbilt Museum please contact (631) 854-5579, (631) 854-5539 or vanderbiltmuseum.org.