Hendrick Hudson’s STEAM Innovation Day Shines in Fourth Year

For the fourth year in a row, the Hendrick Hudson School District’s annual STEAM Innovation  Day brought energy, creativity, and community together — but this time, it glowed even brighter. Held in the evening for the first time, the 2026 event transformed Hendrick Hudson High School into a lively showcase of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, drawing an impressive crowd of families, students, and community members.

The event was once again sponsored by the Hendrick Hudson Community Educational Foundation (HHCEF).

This year’s organizer, Nicki Fischetti, the district’s K-12 Instructional Technology Facilitator, said a special focus was to ensure the event was student-centered. Tables representing high school clubs and elective courses filled the Expo with interactive exhibits and displays that explained their purpose. Younger students explored hands-on activities and experiments alongside peers, who demonstrated what they’ve learned in our STEAM classes.

“We really wanted to leverage our students this year,” Ms. Fischetti said. “I worked very closely with a group of students at the high school because I wanted them to come and represent their clubs and our elective courses. I wanted to give them an opportunity to come and brag a little bit about the wonderful things they’re doing in these clubs and these classes and demonstrate to other students that these are opportunities they can have in high school.”

While the Expo was held in the cafeteria, there were also a variety of challenges held in nearby classrooms. These challenges — arranged into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math locations — were once again a highlight, with students stepping into leadership roles to help facilitate problem-solving sessions. Their enthusiasm and expertise turned each challenge into a dynamic learning experience for participants of all ages.

“Every challenge focused very heavily on students, what they are doing, and the lessons that are igniting creativity and critical thinking for them,” Ms. Fischetti said. “This event gives them an opportunity to come and experience that with their parents. And we had amazing student volunteers, from third graders all the way up to seniors.”

The move to an evening schedule helped increase attendance, giving busy families a chance to join in the fun and see firsthand what students have been imagining and building throughout the school year. As one of the district’s most anticipated traditions, STEAM Innovation Day continues to reflect the Hendrick Hudson community’s commitment to fostering creativity, curiosity, and collaboration in our schools.

“Thank you to our community members for joining us,” said Vineetha Joy, the district’s Executive Director of Technology & Innovation. “Your enthusiasm, creativity, and support helped make the evening an inspiring celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics for our students. We loved seeing families learning and innovating together!”