Fourth graders at Ada Givens Elementary in Merced enjoyed hands-on science lessons with the support of students from Yosemite High School on Friday, September 28.
The teenage mentors helped the children build and test solar cars. They also conducted experiments using snow cones and an infrared camera. The activities were tied to lessons about the difference between renewable energy and non-renewable energy as well as the principles of heat transfer.
Ada Givens teacher Elisa Boykin says, “This was a great way for our students to enhance their understanding of how humans impact Earth, which is part of the Next Generation Science Standards.”
The class visit was also a great opportunity for the Yosemite High School students as part of their Career Technical Education program. The students are focusing on green technology and energy conservation, and those who meet all requirements have the opportunity to receive industry certifications that will help them enter the workforce.
Their teacher, Kahri Boykin, says mentoring younger students not only adds to the high schoolers’ resumes but also helps them build valuable skills. He adds, “They’re learning more about teamwork and leadership while incorporating environmental literacy into education.”
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These images were taken by an infrared camera as students learned how eating a snow cone or holding a cold water bottle impacts their body temperature during a lesson on heat transfer.