Queens Chronicle: Elmhurst students’ summer of science
As published in the Queens Chronicle, August 20, 2026
Link to article.
Elmhurst students’ summer of science
Kids living in shelter hone STEM skills in Samaritan Daytop Village program
by Stephanie G. Meditz, Editor
Children’s learning loss over the summer is an age-old concern for parents. To combat it, plenty enroll their youngsters in summer programs to keep the gears turning.
That can be a challenge for anyone, but especially families living in shelters. In Elmhurst this past summer, Samaritan Daytop Village worked to close the gap.
As part of the nonprofit’s first-ever summer learning program, launched at the Boulevard Family Residence, students from grades 3 to 8 teamed up with high school mentors to develop a project rooted in science, technology, engineering and math. Participants presented their projects, including models of volcanoes and the solar system, on Aug. 12.
“We felt that all children, regardless of their housing barrier, should be able to have a free summer program, as all other students do in New York City,” Samaritan Education Coordinator Antoine Johnson said.
The program seeks to motivate participants, boost their confidence and improve their socialization skills. Johnson added that it aims to help students living in shelters stay ahead of the curve academically.
Nichola Hammond of the city Department of Homeless Services said such programs also help break the cycle of poverty.
“The city supports anything that enriches the lives of families and children in shelter,” Hammond said.
Some projects studied the bodies of various animals. Yaseen, 8, created a dog out of clay.
Athena, 9, made oobleck, a mix of cornstarch and water that has both solid and liquid properties, depending on the force applied.
“It was a really cool and eye-opening experience to work with people that I never met, didn’t have the same experiences as me,” said Rubina, Athena’s tutor and a rising junior at Queens High School for the Sciences.
Samaritan Daytop Village’s services range from mental health care to housing solutions to veterans programs.
