Parents and students gather inside a replica of Yankee Stadium during the opening of the annual science fair at P.S. 119-X on Pugsley Avenue in the Unionport section of the Bronx. -Photo by David Greene
By David Greene
Bronx Voice
March 25, 2023
BRONX - The youngsters at P.S. 119-X were acknowledged in a letter by the New York Yankees for creating a replica of the famous stadium during their annual science fair, this year titled, "The Beautiful Bronx P.S. 119-X Science Fair.”
Students at the school had been busy for about 8 weeks working on their individual science fair projects as well as each grade creating replicas of Bronx landmarks.
Kindergarten students created a project dedicated to Wave Hill, first Grade created a Bronx Museum display, second grade had a display on The New York Botanical Gardens, third grade students did a project on "Little Italy" and Arthur Avenue. The 4th grade made a project on the Bronx Zoo and the 5th grade created the replica of Yankee Stadium.
Teachers of P.S. 119-X gather during the opening of The Beautiful Bronx P.S. 119-X Science Fair. -Photo by David Greene
At a sneak preview held at the school, located at 1075 Pugsley Avenue in the Unionport section, students were told of the letter from the Bronx Bombers, that read in part, "We would like to express our gratitude to the fifth grade at P.S. 119-X for choosing Yankee Stadium as the landmark of highlight at this year's P.S. 119-X Science Fair." The letter continued, "The student’s commitment to wonderful work and dedication epitomizes the Yankee spirit and we would like to congratulate P.S. 119-X on its science fair.”
The first in-person science fair since the pandemic, teacher Marie Alexander told the Bronx Voice, "As a team of about seven or eight of us collaborated on a theme and we had decided for the theme to be The Beautiful Bronx, with the idea that science is everywhere so any theme can connect." They then selected the different local landmarks that would be featured. In all, students created nearly 150 individual projects that were featured at the science fair.
A replica of a suspension bridge created out of Legos by students of P.S. 119-X during their annual science fair held at the Pugsley Avenue school in Unionport. -Photo by David Greene
Principal Kim Nohavicka said of the science fair, "It's magical. Our kids are so excited about being here.”
The school has stepped up to the plate as it has taken in at least 24 kids who were bussed from border states to New York and have made their way to Unionport.
Nohavicka explained, "We have one of the largest groups of migrant kids in the community, so we have lots of Spanish speaking parents... and they've been amazing, and they love it here and we love having them.”
Guidance counselor Carmen Morerro said of the migrant children, many coming from Columbia, recalled, "The kids came at the end of October, and it was a shock to all of us, like what do we do now? We asked how we can help them and a moment passed and we all got together and clothes came in and food came in and we started doing resource workshops offering resources from the community.”
Morerro added, "It has been wonderful, and they come here every day. The children love it.”
Visitors to the science fair were given a "Passport" upon entry and it included a map detailing where the different Bronx landmarks were inside the school's gymnasium.
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