Rice Elementary School received an early Christmas gift this year! Paul, a student at the Cooper Home, presented a bag full of adapted toys to Laura Humrichouse’s class of eager students. Paul is a gifted solderer and has adapted toys with on/off switches to operate
with the simple press of a button. This helps students understand cause and effect: by pushing a button, something fun will happen.
“I love soldering,” shares Paul enthusiastically. By removing the existing switches, he can solder the wires that operate the button on each toy. Paraprofessional Truman Solverud taught Paul how to adapt the toys after learning the process through his coursework at the University of Northern Colorado. “The first one I did took me two hours, Paul gets them done in fifteen minutes.”
Once Paul completes his program at the Cooper Home this semester, he plans to focus his time on his other business of turning soda bottles into mini fish bowls. Tropix Aquaponics combines Paul’s passion of caring for fish and soldering. He
is currently working on patenting his design.
“Cooper Home is a collaborative effort between students, parents and the community to assist students in moving toward natural supports within the community and the work site while fostering independence.” (PSDschools.org).
Integrated Services Poudre School District 