Bedford Gets STEM Playground Thanks to Local Eagle Scout

By Kathryn Sheridan October 18, 2016

A local teen designs STEM playground in Bedford as his Eagle Project.

A temple in Bedford is home to a new STEM playground thanks to the Eagle Scout project of a local teen, according to Bedford Daily Voice.

Hudson Millar, a member of Boy Scout Troop 94, came up with the idea for the playground at Temple Shaaray Tefila, which incorporates the idea of educating kids in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The playground features four parts: a water table, music area, bubble wall, and a backhoe for a sand pit. The water table has interactive magnetic tubes at which kids can play with the gravitational direction of water. PVC pipe was cut to create a giant xylophone for use in the music area.

Construction professionals helped Millar finalize the project after he came up with the design. Also assisting Millar were Debra Frankel, the Director of the Early Childhood Center at Temple Shaaray Tefila, friends, and fellow scouts who donated “hundreds of hours” of volunteer work. Wood for the project was donated by Ring Lumber.

Millar, a freshman at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, has been a Boy Scout since first grade. In total he has earned 36 merit badges, 21 more than needed to become an Eagle Scout. He has served in leadership positions during his time as a Scout, including den chief and patrol leader, and will soon be assistant patrol leader.

When he’s not camping in the great outdoors with his troop, Millar is an honor roll student and member of his school's debate and technology clubs. He plans on attending the National Scout Jamboree in 2017.