The Bolles Lower School Ponte Vedra Beach Campus excitedly unveiled a cool new addition to its west-facing playground – a sunshade that now offers students in Grades 2-5 a comfortable and shaded space to enjoy their daily outdoor adventures.

The entire campus gathered for the unveiling of the new fixture during the first Flag of the school year on August 22, donning sunglasses to add a playful touch to the morning’s festivities. Ponte Vedra Beach Campus Head Suzanne Carlino shared words of gratitude for the generous families who came together to make the sunshade a reality before wrapping up the celebration with a cheerful group photo under the new structure.

Shortly after the unveiling, Bolles lower school science teacher Carolyn Houston sprang into action with a creative way to connect the new playground feature to classroom learning. She introduced a series of engaging experiments that allowed students to explore the science behind sun protection and heat. Using UV-sensitive beads, students observed how sunlight intensity changes under the shade compared to direct exposure. They also measured temperature differences beneath and outside the sunshade to better understand its cooling effect.

These hands-on investigations not only reinforced key scientific concepts but also highlighted the practical benefits of the new structure in a fun and meaningful way. #BollesPVB