The library is more like a workshop for 7 Graders Manuel and Aaron. On any given break or moment out of class, you’ll find them surrounded by cardboard, tape, sketches, and half-tested prototypes as they imagine, design, and build increasingly complex structures. A passion for cars has grown into three generations of hand-built paper cars, each sturdier—and more ambitious—than the last.

 

“We just finished building our other car,” Manuel says, describing their newest SUV model with pride. Aaron adds that this one has “an actual structure,” a major improvement after earlier versions literally fell apart mid-ride. “Since I was a kid, I always loved building stuff… especially cars,” Manuel explains. Aaron is driven by curiosity: “I find that it’s actually really fun to learn… engineering in general.” Together, they spend hours experimenting, problem-solving, and testing ideas—much of it self-taught through intuition and YouTube tutorials.

 

Like their cars, creativity and imagination have played a big role in building their friendship. Aaron admires Manuel’s determination: “When he does a project, he will keep going at it for however long,” while Manuel says Aaron brings a fresh perspective: “He helps me a lot with thinking. Whenever there is a challenge, he doesn’t hesitate—he just does it.” Their complementary strengths make every project possible—from cardboard taxis that drive them to the Middle School social, to fantasy worlds like “AFK Land,” complete with presidents, motorcades, and storylines woven into their builds. “We co-designed a car specifically for a country we made up… our president is a fish,” Manuel says. “We wanted to do a presidential motorcade for him where our mission was to cross a highway.” Apparently, the mission was a success.

 

At ASH, Manuel and Aaron’s work is just one of the many passion projects that fill our learning spaces. It makes us proud to see students so deeply invested in their interests—collaborating, imagining, and bringing big ideas to life. And with their next goal—adding an electric motor to their latest car—these two aren’t slowing down anytime soon.