An American Academy of Innovation interdisciplinary project, “The Ripple Effect of Warmth,” tied materials from science and English/language arts into lessons of empathy and service. The culmination of their studies resulted in lantern art, which shined light on awareness and hope around the issue of domestic violence.

Studies meet service

In the classroom, students studied heat transfer—conduction, convection and radiation—and how insultation can act as a physical barrier. But they didn’t stop at physical science. They expanded the idea of “barriers” to social issues, particularly those explored in “The Lions of Little Rock,” a novel about segregation and a friendship in 1950s Arkansas.

“We're talking about thermal energy and heat transfer, but also how things like these lanterns spread warmth into people's lives in a different kind of way,” AAI teacher Landon Leak said.

Students were challenged to think about how both physical and social barriers can prevent warmth, literally and figuratively. They discussed how these divides can prevent human connection and how people overcome challenges through kindness and empathy.

 “We’re trying to build a kind community here,” Leak said. “We can’t always see the hidden battles, but we can always choose kindness.”

“Lanterns of Light” with “Messages of Hope”

Students transformed clear 2-liter plastic bottles into “Lanterns of Light.” They creatively decorated the lanterns with tissue paper and wrote “Messages of Hope,” connecting their art to the themes of the project.

For the “Walk of Hope” event, AAI students create lanterns, which tied into their science and English curriculum. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

These 80 lanterns were displayed at the “Walk for Hope” event on Oct. 2 at Vineyard Grove Park in Vineyard, Utah.

The event, held in partnership with The Refuge, a Utah County domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center, featured a candlelight walk, music, guest speakers and domestic violence resources. There also was slated a “Light up the Night” walk in September on Utah Valley University campus.

Students also made beaded bracelets in different shades of purple, each symbolizing a different relationship to domestic violence: survivors, supporters, friends and family, and those lost, which were distributed at the walk.

In addition to the sixth-graders, AAI high school students could participate in the project.

Students share their voices

The students not only created the lanterns, but they made connections with them.

Sixth-grader Tia Dionne used pastel colors because they “make me happy.” She added, “I love to help people and I enjoy art; it’s fun.”

Classmate Kayden Kocherhans drew inspiration from Professor Dumbledore in the “Harry Potter” series, “He said something like, ‘The light shone in the darkness even in the darkest time’ so I used dark blue to white tissue paper to give inspiration.”

The lanterns AAI students created were hung during the “Walk of Hope” event providing hope and awareness on domestic violence. (Landon Leak/American Academy of Innovation)

Sixth-grader Clara Benson created a camouflage lantern.

“Some people wear camo because they don’t want to be seen, but I want everyone to be seen and feel loved,” she said.

Classmate Kal Troester added: “This is a unique experience. I want them to believe in themselves, to not give up. The lanterns bring warmth to our hearts.”

Sixth-graders Kennedy Arellano and Amya Redmiles tied the lesson to the book.

“The book is about Marlee and how Liz helped her; I want people to have hope and offer to help,” Kennedy said. Amya added: “I want them to know they can do hard things as we learned from the book.”

Several students titled their lanterns, which were hung by a wire through the plastic.

Sixth-grader Landry Asburn’s lantern was entitled, “Joy;” “I hope people feel loved when they go through a bad time. It’s good to be nice and encourage somebody with kindness.”

Classmate Ivy Keddington called her lantern “Hope;” “I want them to feel a new beginning. Sometimes it takes time to get through stuff, but I know they have the power to make it.”

Sixth-grader Bronson Cramer said, “helping others makes a difference and makes me feel good; it may not be a big difference, but it is a difference.”

That is what Leak hopes this project does, more than educate. He hopes it will help students find meaning. 

“I started helping people through service, and it led me to become a teacher,” he shared. “There’s a saying—if you’re lost, lose yourself helping others. You’ll find yourself.”