AES BUILDS ENGINEERS -- BOOKS & BUDDING BUILDERS!
"Math is boring. This is fun!"
Fourth grade students at Arlington's Barcroft Elementary School -- many clad in their PJs because it was Pajama Day -- had a ball as energy company AES facilitated a wind turbine building project. Following up on its 2023 holiday drive to provide a similar project and STEM-related books at Hoffman-Boston Elementary, the Arlington-based energy company's volunteer staff members showed up in full force on October 15, 2024 to teach kids about energy, where it comes from, and how to generate it. Around the classrooms, children were heard saying, "I never knew solar panels could product energy, and now I do!" and "I learned where energy comes from!" And then they went to work -- applying their new knowledge and their creativity to build mini-turbines AND works of art!
Each child then chose a STEM-related book to take home in an AES-provided book bag. Upon getting a book, one child said, "Reading really is fundamental. It tells you stories. I cannot live without books!" We, at RIF NOVA, totally agree!!! We are very grateful to AES for continuing this active learning project for area students. Special thanks also to Barcroft library assistant Daniela Londono for helping to make this project a success.
Each child then chose a STEM-related book to take home in an AES-provided book bag. Upon getting a book, one child said, "Reading really is fundamental. It tells you stories. I cannot live without books!" We, at RIF NOVA, totally agree!!! We are very grateful to AES for continuing this active learning project for area students. Special thanks also to Barcroft library assistant Daniela Londono for helping to make this project a success.
"This is the best day of my life!"
In December 2023, AES held a holiday book drive to provide STEM-related books for second graders at the county's Hoffman-Boston Elementary School. After explaining what a wind turbine is and does, AES volunteer staff members led the children through a project to build a mini wind turbine of their own. Who knew that building a wind turbine could be so much fun -- using cardboard, cups, string, glue, pipe cleaners, stickers, tape...well, the works! Adding to the fun was picking a new STEM book to take home for the holidays! Said one child, "This is the best day of my life!"
At first, AES staff worked with individual children to explain the concept.
As the children grew more confident, they started building the turbines on their own.
Sharing ideas in teams made the project even more fun!
And then it was time to show off their wares. Oh, the self-confidence of success! Just look at these faces!
Special thanks to AES for providing such great STEM books and for creating a project to make learning so much fun for children in the RIF of NOVA community!
Note: Adults pictured in the 2023 cover photo above (l-r) include Jeanette Cimino, AES Vice President of Global Change Management and at-large NOVA RIF board member, former board president Justina Johnson, and AES volunteers Isabella Guastaferro and Adriana Roccaro.
Note: Adults pictured in the 2023 cover photo above (l-r) include Jeanette Cimino, AES Vice President of Global Change Management and at-large NOVA RIF board member, former board president Justina Johnson, and AES volunteers Isabella Guastaferro and Adriana Roccaro.