Our rising “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) 5th graders at Sunrise Elementary in Boyle Heights began preparing for college this summer!

The Boyle Heights Program 19 Dreamers just completed fourth grade and will begin fifth grade in the fall.

As their final project for the summer, the Program 19 class was divided into four teams, and each team chose a college that all members were interested in. The teams researched the college’s history, academic programs, admissions requirements, mascots, and sports. They also built models of their college’s campus using arts and crafts supplies. The teams then presented their research and models to the rest of the class and competed for the titles of “Most Creative,” “Best Presentation,” “Best Team Effort,” and “Best Research.”

In the following video, the student Dreamers share their dream careers, which they wrote on their graduation caps:

In the following video, one of the Boyle Heights Dreamer teams presents what they have learned about Pasadena City College.

Models from two of the other Boyle Heights Dreamer teams:

Our annual summer program helps our Dreamers transition into the upcoming school year. The program lasts four weeks, and this year it consisted of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum and enrichment activities. During the first two weeks, the Dreamers reviewed their school work from the previous school year, and during the last two weeks they prepared for their upcoming fifth grade curriculum.

In addition to participating in math and English classes, respectively taught by Mr. Pachano and Ms. Bonilla, the Dreamers were able to participate in enrichment activities, such as swimming at the local YMCA, and science projects facilitated by Ms. Glo. We were fortunate to have Ms. Glo back this year to help the Dreamers with some fun science projects.

The Boyle Heights Dreamers Participated in Two Field Trips During this Year’s Summer Program

The program ended with of a couple of fun field trips – a Sierra Club Hiking Trip to Eaton Canyon Falls and a trip to Knott’s Soak City!

The Dreamers are sporting tie-died shirts they made in their summer program art class.

The IHADLA Summer Enrichment Program in Boyle Heights Included a STEM Kite Making and Flying Science Project

The Summer Enrichment Program in Boyle Heights Included a STEM Building Project

STEM Science Project: Mapping the Planets

Swimming at the Boyle Heights YMCA was Part of Summer Enrichment Program for the Boyle Heights Dreamers

Thank you to the Boyle Heights YMCA for allowing us to use their pool.