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Yesica Barrientos, 16, was one of the students in Deanna Flores' 10th-grade Advancement Via Individual Determination class at Hilton Head Island High School that participated in the project Jan. 27. Yesica said she enjoys collaborative projects such as this one, a method often used in the AVID program. The project's goal was to teach the teens to use critical thinking skills and collaborate with teammates to create the best-performing car in the room.
"We can work as a team and be creative," Yesica said.
Once the cars were finished, each of the four teams took turns testing out their creations on a makeshift race track on the floor, where the wind created from a box fan would blow them down the race strip. The cars were judged on three criteria: distance, speed and uniqueness.
It was a close race, but the "McLaren F1" took first place for distance and speed by traveling 274 centimeters from the start line and by going 45 centimeters per second. "The Pipenator" took second at 239 centimeters and 17 centimeters per second. "Jada" was the winner for most unique car.
The students were rewarded with red, white and blue ribbons. But the real reward came in knowing they worked together to complete a project, something that will come in handy when they are working on projects in college in just a few years.
And that's the motivation behind AVID -- to prepare students for college after high school graduation. The international, grant-based educational program is geared toward fourth- through 12th-grade students in the academic middle who are either underachieving, under-represented or future first-
generation college students. The program is in place at all the high schools in Beaufort County.
"The kids that are chosen are really looked highly upon (by those who refer them)," Flores said. Teachers, guidance counselors and principals refer students to the program if they notice they are highly motivated but could use some extra help with study skills. The students typically are interviewed to see how interested they are in the program. Then they fill out a basic application, and the AVID site team decides which students would most benefit from the program. So far everyone who has applied at Hilton Head Island High has gotten into the program, and Flores said it is becoming more and more popular at the school.
At the middle and high school levels, AVID students are encouraged to enroll in their school's most difficult classes, such as honors and Advanced Placement classes. And as part of the program, they are enrolled in an AVID elective class taught by an AVID-trained teacher, such as Flores.
The AVID elective focuses on helping students improve their study and organizational skills, learn to take notes effectively and use critical thinking skills. It also helps students with career exploration, public speaking and encourages them to volunteer in the community.
The AVID program at Hilton Head Island High has helped some of the students greatly improve their grades. Itzel Martinez, 15, said AVID has helped her a great deal with her classes. She takes advantage of the free tutoring, and her grades have gone up since being in the program. That's part of what Flores enjoys most about AVID, helping good kids meet their potential.
"It's not an at-risk program," Flores emphasized. "And I think sometimes the lines get blurred. ... (The students) are motivated. They might be really trying hard. They just need that extra push."
