FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — While one side of Scandinavian Middle school’s library is filled with books and tables, the other is glowing with a brand new ecosystem.
It’s one that’s filled with the sights and sounds of the Amazon.
“So we really wanted to transport whoever came in. We wanted to transport them into the rainforest,” art teacher Selah Valadez said.
Valadez says as soon as students returned from winter break, they got to work.
About 120 students each created two to three hand-drawn animals.
That includes eighth-grade student Gauchee Herz.
“So me, in the advanced class, we worked on the toucans and the frogs that you will see in the cave,” Gauchee said.
Just about every detail you see was crafted and placed by students.
Construction paper stretched to the cafeteria turned into vines.
Pool noodles helped create the cave’s curved shape.
Gauchee says this project helped keep her engaged compared to traditional class work.
“The best part would be like working on the setup, you know, like the vines and the black papers that you’ll use for the walls,” Gauchee said.
The project extended beyond just art students.
Science classes are studying light and use the installation as part of a lesson
English learner development students researched each of the featured animals and created poster boards filled with information that greets you as you enter.
“The students really were excited about this project. They wanted to participate, and a lot of the students were taking their own personal time to come and work on the posters or their art pieces that were displayed inside the Amazon rainforest,” Valadez said.
Now, the entire school is invited to participate in a special contest.
The winner will receive a pizza party inside the rainforest.
Valadez says it’s been great to watch students invest so much time into the project.
“It’s amazing just because the kids take pride in this,” Valadez said. “Just pride of ownership, I guess, of all the things that the hard work that they’ve been doing. So it’s really neat collaboration and working together and just, yeah, being proud of their school.”
Families will get the opportunity to see all of the students’ hard work on Tuesday night at open house.
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