As a sixth grade science teacher at Orem Elementary, Vickie Ahlstrom made an observation. First grade teachers’ hands were full trying to teach their students reading, and their students weren’t getting enough science. Ahlstrom found a solution. 

“I am so passionate about science and I thought, ‘you know what, I have kids who can help with this,’” Ahlstrom said. 

Ahlstrom enlisted the aid of her top sixth grade science students to solve the problem. She created a “Science Demo Team” of volunteer sixth graders to mentor the first graders throughout the year.

After a year at Orem Elementary, Ahlstrom brought her volunteer program with her to her new school, Sego Lily Elementary in Lehi. The program has caught on again, and sixth graders are continuing to make a difference in the lives of first graders.

“They’re great kids who are willing to go the extra mile,” Ahlstrom said. “They have their own little fan club of first graders. This year we’ve donated almost 1,000 volunteer hours to teach 120 first graders all year.” 

Ahlstrom’s team of sixth graders donate about two hours of time every week before and after school to create lesson plans and experiments that go along with the first grade science curriculum.

“It’s volunteer time before or after school so it doesn’t interfere with their school work at all,” Ahlstrom said. “It’s not like they’re getting out of something to do it.” 

To be a member of the Science Demo Team students have to fill out an application, design a sample lesson and maintain good grades, Ahlstrom said.

“My Demo Team plans the lessons; they’ve been in school for six years so they have their favorite experiments and they try a few new ones,” Ahlstrom said. “We try to give the first graders a lot of hands-on science, which is possible when we have one scientist for every four students. We also have them use science tools, such as hand lenses, thermometers, digital scales, pipettes, etc. It helps them develop the background to be able to do more science later on.”

Ahlstrom has seen the success that has come from using students to teach students. Ahlstrom recently presented her idea of “Students Teaching Students” at the National Science Teachers Association Conference. 

Through it all, Ahlstrom has seen the power that young people have when they serve.