Middle School Science Teacher Uses Graphic Novel to Inspire Students

Middle School Science Teacher Raises Funds for Students to Meet Authors of Graphic Novel

Eighth-grade science teacher Ben Adler of Downtown Charter Academy in East Oakland recently went above and beyond to provide his students with a unique learning experience. After discovering the graphic novel “Tales of the Urban Wild: A Puma’s Journey” by local author Tiffany Yap at Cape & Cowl Comics, Adler was determined to have his entire 8th-grade class read it.

To make this happen, Adler reached out to Yap and illustrator Meital Smith, who agreed to speak with his students. However, with limited funding available, Adler took matters into his own hands and launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $800 for the books. Thanks to the generosity of his personal network, the goal was quickly met, and each student received a copy of the book to keep.

Yap and Smith then visited the school to give a presentation to the students, showcasing the real-life research and illustrating process behind the book. The interactive session included drawing lessons and discussions on California’s native plants and animals, engaging the students in a unique blend of art and science.

The students were captivated by the presentation, with many expressing their excitement about the book and its content. Yap, who had always hoped her book would inspire young readers, was thrilled to see the students connect with the material.

Adler, impressed by the students’ enthusiasm, has since pushed to include the book on next year’s summer reading list for incoming 8th graders. Yap hopes that educators will see the value of using graphic novels to make science education more accessible and engaging for students.

Overall, the collaboration between Adler, Yap, and Smith exemplifies the power of creative teaching methods in inspiring students to learn and explore new ideas.