IN THE CLASSROOM:

A group of first-graders at Paularino Elementary have been working on spy gear in the afternoons, bringing home tools to get a closer look at the world around them.

As part of Science Adventures, an after-school program at Paularino, students explore one facet of science at a time from a fun perspective. These first-graders are working on a program called “Spy Tek,” which will have them making microscopes, flashlights and other instruments to enhance the senses.

“We try to rotate through all the grades,” said Teresa Wickett, school administrative assistant. “The kids love it.”

Instructor Omar Abuzaineh, who teaches programs like this one, told his class how to slip a couple of lenses into a plastic tube, adding in a cardboard tube to block outside light and a small eyepiece to look through.

“I got it,” Ashley Perez, 6, told the other kids at her table. “It’s easy. You just put this thing here.”

A couple of slightly confused classmates took Ashley up on her offer of help.

Then Abuzaineh spread out black plates and poured salt, sand, pepper, multicolored feathers and other substances onto them, letting the crowd of kids look at each in turn.

“You’ve made your microscopes, but you can only look at things you put up really close,” he said. “It’s not like a telescope. You have to put things right up against it.”

Some were indeed looking through the 6-inch microscope at each other, saying, “It doesn’t work!” or “You look upside down.”

Exploring isn’t such a bad thing, Abuzaineh said.

“Go home and explore with your microscope,” he said. “Take a look at things really small and learn about them. Don’t go around burning ants or anything.”

“How do you burn ants?” a couple of students piped up.

“No, respect the ant!” Abuzaineh said.

KIDS TALK BACK

What was your favorite thing to look at under a microscope?

“The sand was the best, because when you look at it, it seemed super big.”

Ryan Juncker

6, Costa Mesa

“The salt, because it looks like sand but it’s white.”

Luigi Palumbo

7, Costa Mesa

“The salt, because it looks like salt up close too.”

Ashley Perez

6, Costa Mesa

“The salt, because it looks like the sand.”

Terry Cowley

6, Costa Mesa

“The salt, because I could see it really close.”

Ifeoma Simmer

7, Costa Mesa

MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at [email protected].