From Arduino-program based thermostat innovations to a camera designed for those with special needs, the current gallery exhibit, STEAM: This Year in Innovation, has it all. On December 4, the Anne Reid ‘72 Art Gallery opening allowed both students and faculty alike to explore their peers’ innovations, almost all of which were interactive. To celebrate the opening, there was even a special performance of Clean Bandit’s song “Rather Be” by Princeton Day Schools’ coed a cappella group, the Madrigals. Junior Zaiya Gandi added, “The Madrigals performance was phenomenal!”

When students were creating their projects, they reflected on the needs and challenges for the end-users. The pieces in the show included all steps of this thought process: drawings, designs, and final products that would help the greater community outside of PDS.

On the more creative side, point perspective, orthographic, isometric, mechanical, exploded view, technical packaging, and color material finish drawing techniques were used to create a series of drawings on display in the show. In addition, students designed eyewear using Adobe vector graphics, emphasizing that one of the most beautiful things about computer science and programming is how they allow people to provide solutions to a wide range of problems or complications. Other examples of these projects included a program that allowed LED lights to brighten or dim, as well as iPad activated models built to withstand earthquakes.

Starting last year, all incoming freshmen were required to take a year-long interactive STEAM class called Steaminar. Through this course, students not only learn basic programming language but also discover how programming can help them in their everyday lives. In one project, students learn how to create an Arduino-based program to water plants. Whether students are joining the PDS Science League or exploring year-long minors such as Intro to Fine Arts, there is always something STEAM-y to enjoy at PDS. Alex DiNovi, a junior and AP Computer Science Principles student, reflected on the gallery, noting: “I saw a lot of fascinating computer projects that I was able to play through and run on tables, which I found cool and interesting.” In short, these personal projects truly expressed PDS’s mission to spread and foster a love for STEAM throughout the community.