March 26, 2026
Sulphur Springs Elementary School, Sulphur Springs, TX
Northeast Texas Chapter 416 // Article by Pat Heidelman
Educator Bryan Cole, a past teacher of the year for Northeast Texas Chapter 416, led over 70 – 5th-6th grade girls to learn about how UV rays impact people. This March 26, 2026, event, one of four sponsored by AFA416, was another success.
Cole, leader of GROW (Girls Recognizing Our Worth), created an easy-to-understand presentation for the 5th and 6th grade students, covering UV rays! We all love the sun and sun exposure plays a role in maintaining good health. However, too much of a good thing, suddenly becomes not-so-good. The girls learned just how harmful the sun’s rays can be.
The bracelets the girls assembled were made with UV sensitive beads and string. The beads light up with different colors when exposed to UV-rays and quickly “brought to light” their understanding of the sun’s power. The experiment showed that UV is present outdoors and not indoors. While indoors the bracelets were white, but when they went outside the beads changed color.
By talking about when the colors changed students learned that UV rays are only outdoors. They talked about how even on cloudy days they are present. They also learned that different materials like sunscreen, clothing, and more, can block the rays. A simple experiment that sheds light on an important element of our world and its impact on each of us.
Northeast Texas Chapter 416, Community Based AFA leader in Sulphur Springs, Pat Heidelman, attended the event and shared her photos. “It is wonderful to see how these girls can learn from such easy, yet powerful experiments,” said Heidelman. AFA416 is pleased to support educators like Bryan Cole and Jodi Andoe, Assistant CTE/CCMR Director, in their GROW efforts.
Learn more about GROW (https://sshs.ssisd.net/academics/cte/grow )
Learn more about Northeast Texas Chapter 416 (www.netxafa.org )
