A group of 11 middle school students from California’s Central Valley spent a week exploring the science behind water systems and agricultural technology at the University of California, Merced.
Held from July 14–18, 2025, the Super Soaker Water Academy (SSWA) marked its third consecutive year. Organized by Secure Water Future and CalTeach, the program offered a combination of classroom instruction and field-based activities that introduced students to pressing regional water issues and real-world applications in ag-tech.
Throughout the week, students constructed soil moisture sensors to study evaporation, transpiration, and evapotranspiration. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with Ethan Vu, an AgTech Design Innovation Intern, and supported by Adrian Buitron Boada, VISTA & F3 Inclusive Innovation Specialist, who also gave a presentation on robotics in the water and agriculture sectors.
Students took kayaks onto Lake Yosemite to gather water samples, later analyzing them under microscopes in CalTeach labs. They used augmented reality sandboxes to model streamflow across topographies and learned to fly and program drones with support from CITRIS staff at the Gallo Gym.
The academy also featured activities like building soil profile models to examine groundwater contamination and creating contour maps using real regional data.
For many participants, this was their first experience with scientific tools and methods of this kind. In addition to hands-on learning, the program provided insight into potential careers in science, engineering, and environmental research—opening doors to STEM pathways that may shape their future.