By Brittany Bazan
Rialto, CA – August 2024 – In an exciting class led by Mikal Thompson, the MESA (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) teacher at Rialto High School, students were tasked with a unique challenge: to repurpose unused items from their homes into innovative and functional creations. This project not only brought creativity but also encouraged lasting practices among students.
Freshman Ruby Callero, decided to bring in her outdated computer for the project to which she disassembled the device, carefully removing the motherboard and other internal components. Her goal was to create a lighter, more manageable structure for their enclosure. On the other hand, freshmen Jessica Varela and Junior Carla Perez took charge of the designing, sketching, and discussing the overall style and performance of the enclosure.
Initially, the group considered bringing in a real reptile into their project. However, concerns came to Mikal Thompson, who brought up a terrible past experience with reptiles, although the group joked about it. “It would have been cool to bring in a real reptile,” Ruby shared, “but we definitely didn’t want to take any risks.” Instead, the students chose to create a lifelike model snake out of clay, which would serve as a centerpiece in their design.
The construction of the enclosure was a collaborative effort that led the group to use plywood for the sides, bottom, and background, ensuring durability and a solid foundation. For the front of the enclosure, they selected plexiglass, a transparent material that allows for visibility while providing a secure environment for the reptile. This thoughtful selection not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal towards the project but also understanding the importance of creating a safe habitat towards the reptile and not wanting to harm it with glass.
“I think it was very great. I believe we did an amazing job, and if we were to put a reptile inside, it would survive,” Jessica commented excitedly, reflecting on the group's dedication and teamwork. Her positive outlook was reflected by Ruby, who expressed her hope for an even better outcome: “I feel like we could have done better; I hope it looks good, and let’s hope it goes smoothly.” Carla Perez, a junior, remained positive about their hard work: “I think it would work because we were working really hard on it. And when you work really hard on something, it always works.”
The project provided valuable lessons beyond technical skills. Students learned about teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, skills that are essential in both academic and real-world settings, which can be found in a MESA student.
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