17吃瓜网

By Nicholas Sigler

Rio Lindo Adventist Academy transformed its campus into a world of secret missions and scientific discovery during its “Spy” Academy STEM Camp, the first since 2018.

Middle school 鈥渁gents-in-training鈥� from six 17吃瓜网 schools spent two days diving into hands-on activities that blended creativity, curiosity, and real-world science. As Emma, an eighth grader from Feather River, shared, 鈥淚t was a great opportunity to meet other schools and make new friends. The teachers were friendly and helpful. I learned that lasers show up better in the dark and fog, and the light bounces off mirrors.鈥�

Students began their mission by constructing their own laser mazes. Using geometry and spatial reasoning, they positioned mirrors to guide a laser beam through a complex path, learning how light reflects and how real security systems operate. Agents then moved into the cryptography lab, where they created ciphers and used mathematical patterns to crack secret messages. By applying logic and number sequences, they decoded clues that revealed new 鈥渋ntel鈥� throughout the camp.

Next, participants experimented with invisible ink, testing everyday substances鈥攆rom lemon juice to baking soda to cabbage-based indicators鈥攖o discover which solutions could hide or reveal messages using heat or chemical reactions. Campers finished their training by engineering LED magnetic trackers, wiring small circuits with lights and magnets to create devices that could flash or stick to metal surfaces, mimicking tools used in real investigations.

Through experiences like “Spy” STEM Camp, Rio Lindo isn鈥檛 just making science fun for students in the 17吃瓜网鈥攊t鈥檚 helping them imagine their futures. By blending teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on engineering with a mission to make science exciting, accessible, and unforgettable, the camp equips young people for advanced coursework, technical careers, and real-world challenges.

Featured in Northern Lights, December 25, 2025
#nccsda

#riolindoadventistacademy #STEMatRio #learnservelead #norcalboardingschool
#spyacademy #ncceducation

Even gray skies couldn鈥檛 dim the energy on Monday, September 29, as more than 190 students from 11 Northern California Conference schools聽converged on the campus of聽Rio Lindo Adventist Academy聽for its annual Sports Camp.

The event, which has averaged 142 participants over the past decade, celebrated its largest turnout in years鈥攁 sign of growing enthusiasm for this much-anticipated day of athletics and fellowship. The schools that sent their enthusiastic students included: Clearlake, Echo Ridge, Feather River, Hilltop, Middletown, Napa, Redding, Redwood, Tracy, Ukiah, and Westlake.

The morning began in Rio鈥檚 gymnasium, where students joined together for a spirited worship and orientation. Afterward, they were divided by grade and gender into groups led by聽Rio Ambassadors, student leaders who guided their squads throughout the day and offered encouragement at every station.

Participants rotated through a series of athletic challenges including basketball, volleyball, flag football, and soccer. Each session鈥攆acilitated by volunteer coaches and Rio staff鈥攆ocused on skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship before wrapping up with scrimmages.

For many students, especially those from smaller schools, Sports Camp offered a unique opportunity to connect and grow alongside a wider community of peers. 鈥淚t was so much fun to play with new people,鈥� said聽Simon Sigler聽from Redwood Adventist Academy. 鈥淚 got to learn a lot!鈥�

By mid-afternoon, the clouds that had hovered all day finally opened up, drenching the fields in a sudden downpour. But rather than dampen spirits, the rain only added to the memories. Laughter echoed through the campus as students dashed for shelter, soaked but smiling.

The day concluded with an awards assembly recognizing outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork in each athletic session. As everyone departed and the rain continued to fall, students left Rio tired but happy鈥攁lready talking about next year鈥檚 Sports Camp.