Middle Gate Elementary School fourth grade students moved from station to station on Friday, February 26, during the school's annual Diversity Day.

School parent Jen Chaudhary welcomed students near the start of the event, explaining how they would move in groups to visit each station.

The event is an annual one at the school, held to highlight and teach students about differences people may have. At one station students maneuvered around cones while in a wheelchair, at another students used a cane while blindfolded to walk around objects, and another had students working out messages in brail.

Principal Chris Geissler said Ms Chaudhary, fourth grade teacher Linda Baron, guidance counselor Melissa Arsenault, and school psychologist Heather Lucian were the "major forces" behind this year's Diversity Day.

"The Diversity Day program is one of my favorite occasions of the year," said Mr Geissler after the event. "Our children really put themselves in 'other people's shoes' by engaging in the hands-on activities. We include a reflection and home-school component which adds to the learning experience."

EverWonder Children's Museum also helped with stations for the day, along with a number of parent volunteers. In one corner of the school's gymnasium students felt inside boxes at an EverWonder station to guess what was inside.

At a fine motor skills station students wore bulky gloves while trying to complete tasks, like threading and tying shoelaces.

Differences Day, Ms Baron said, while students around her worked at stations, teaches students that everyone has the same wants and desires regardless of the challenges they may face.

"There are children who have mental or physical challenges. Some are visible to the eye, while others cannot be seen," Ms Baron wrote in a school newsletter about the event. "Our fourth graders participated in activities spread throughout our gymnasium with different interactive learning stations. Each station focused on a particular challenge a student may have."

In a classroom fourth graders also heard a presentation by Soundbridge Early Learning Center of Wethersfield teacher Carl DeStefanis. Mr DeStefanis shared his experience growing up with a hearing impairment and explained how his cochlear implant works and helps him.

Mr DeStefanis also shared techniques students can use to better communicate with students who may have a hearing loss.