Cole Elementary School kindergartener Colt Trader was smiling ear to ear, his hands immersed in a bright green glob of slime as he stretched it between his fingers. “It’s so sticky,” says Colt to his two McCutcheon High School science buddies.

Creating slime was one of the hands-on activities students enjoyed during Build It Day, the culminating event of a project funded by a grant from the Public Schools Foundation and Primient. Throughout the year, high school physics students designed and shared STEM lessons with their kindergarten buddies virtually, building toward an in-person day of discovery, creativity and fun.

Students and their buddies moved from table to table inside the Cole gym, exploring a variety of activities including creating lava lamps and designing paper airplanes.

“The best part was making paper airplanes because I could launch it and try to make it go far,” says kindergartner Zach Evans. “I also liked playing outside with my buddies.”

“I am having so much fun,” says McCutcheon High School junior Chloe Ledman, who helped her buddy Rosie add food coloring to her slime mixture. “I think the high schoolers are learning how to better work with different age groups, how to teach them and be patient. They are learning how to have fun in science, follow instructions and make new friends.”

The day left a lasting impression on many students, including Colt. “I want to learn more because science is fun,” he says.