Science experiements are "fun" and "cool," said the third- and fourth-grade students in a new afterschool program.

They studied earthworms and then the soil those worms live in. They tested various liquids for their pH to see if they were more acidic or basic. Later they will learn about fossils, first-hand, said instructor Jennifer Grooms.

The students meet twice each week for the Help Yourself Academy, a new program at Casper College. The program aims to introduce college to students in grades 3-6 through hands-on math and science activities. The program is run by a teacher, an assistant and 12 students from Casper College and the University of Wyoming who act as mentors for the students.

Read more in Friday's Star-Tribune and at Trib.com