Fun with science

For the past three weeks, I’ve been volunteering at 826 Valencia. I’ve volunteered there many times as a tutor for afterschool homework help, but this summer they’re doing a special program for English Language Learners (ELL).

ELLs are 2nd through 4th-graders who moved to the US as children, so they can speak English fluently, but have a hard time reading and writing it. It’s basically like an educational summer camp where the kids get to do things like write stories, play games and learn stuff. And I get to help. It’s been fun.

Today, the kids got to learn some science. Basically, we played with a big tub of dry ice, soap and water. The kids were so worked up about the bubbles, they were dancing all over the playground.

In addition to dry ice bubbles and dancing kids, Mission Playground on Valencia is also filled with homeless people. The few bums that we’re comatose or busy collecting garbage actually seemed interested in the experiment. One particularly alcohol-soaked bum was so excited by the dry ice, he joined our circle.

“I know what dry ice is made out of! I know!” He was raising his hand so frantically that the teacher finally called on him.

“Carbon Dioxide!” he announced proudly.

At least he got it right.