Kids light up my world!

If you had been withThe "A" Team today, you would have had a blast! "Why do you say that?" you might ask. Well, I'll tell you why. We met with some of the kids that will be coming to our Metro State Science Day, from Smedley Elementary school and others, for Project #3, the CH2MHill Dreamers Math and Science Challenge. They are sixth graders and they are incredibly smart and energetic! If you show them a camera, they are simply thrilled to get in front of the screen.
 

You encourage them to do their homework, and sure, just like every other sixth grader they will talk about everything else in the world before even looking at their homework, but you persistently encourage them and they will eventually get it done. And when they are working they do work with a fairly good focus, given that they are 6th graders. I was honestly surprised that they were able on getting things done, even with us there.

You bring up anything about sports teams and many of them are not just excited, but are overflowing with opinion about their favorite team and facts about that team's current position in the season. You tell them that we're going to be practicing for their upcoming Basketball game against the 5280 Closers' team on Wednesday the 19^th, and they will sure as heck try to get their homework done. There were about 22 kids that showed up today for Erin Larrabee's (Colorado I Have a Dream Foundation Project Coordinator) after school program, including some that hadn't been for awhile, and we had a great time working on currency conversions from US dollars to Chinese Yuan and reading a short "Scenario" about the water shortages in India.

 

Then there was the physical activity for the afternoon (but more like the physical activity for the first time this year for me). We went to the gym and began playing basketball with those who wanted to play next Wednesday, and the others went out to do other activities, including Hula-hooping and soccer. We definitely have some skilled players and all I can say is that, Peter and the Closers better watch out because this game is going to be one easy sweep for our kids. They are awesome! :D
 

On a side note, one thing that I was disappointed about is that Erin informed us that with the recent decision from the City of Denver, Smedley Elementary will be closed after the finish of this semester in May. It is really too bad, because the building has been around since 1902 and it is gorgeous! The structure is beautiful (see picture at top of this post) and really deserves to be preserved and maintained, so I hope that the City will keep it for future generations, maybe at least make it a museum or something. I don't know, just a suggestion.
 

Well, I look forward to getting to talk more about this project! We have lots of GREAT stuff planned for the kids, so I can't wait to expound more on all of that! Until then, Saludos!

Benjamín