By making original, small figures out of clay, Lesher Middle School sixth-graders will learn about oxidation, reduction, melting points and how these factors affect various glazes on their creations.

“This lets them see art from a different perspective,” said Cathi Jacobs, Lesher science teacher.

About 60 sixth-graders at Lesher Middle School, an International Baccalaureate Middle School, are learning about the chemistry behind art from Loren Jones, lead night custodian at Lesher. Jones, a local potter, volunteered to teach the students about ceramics during their Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) class.  ELO classes provide enrichment opportunities for students and are scheduled into the school day.

Jones, who has taught ceramic classes for a number of years, hopes students will enjoy being creative while making their own artwork, which will be glazed and fired in a kiln. In the process, he also hopes they will learn science principles like oxidation, reduction, flocculation and deflocculation.

“My favorite part is watching the kids play with clay. Playing with clay has been my hobby, profession and passion since I was three-years-old and playing with Play dough,” said Jones. “Maybe it will become their lifelong passion.”