A group of second-grade students at Caraway Elementary School raised more than $1,600 during an enrichment cluster to sponsor the Gray Wolf Habitat at the Austin Zoo.

The enrichment cluster, led by Caraway Teacher Kim Gonzales, consisted of 20 second-grade students who chose to learn about endangered species through research and ultimately the service project.

“I’m really big into community service learning and getting our kids out into the community,” Gonzales said. “I want them to feel like even though they’re kids, there’s something they can do to make the world a better place.”

The project expanded beyond the endangered animals focus and became a true interdisciplinary project, Gonzales said. The students learned financial literacy by managing the donation contributions, practiced writing while researching and learned more about science as they researched the habitats and ecosystems of endangered animals.

The group raised more than $1,600 through a raffle to cover teachers with slime as well as the sale of temporary tattoos and buttons. The majority of the funds ultimately came from the slime raffle, which doused 10 teachers and Principal Katrina Bailey in slime.

“The fundraiser for the Gray Wolf Habitat truly brought our campus together for a positive project,” Bailey said. “We are thrilled to have our Caraway name featured at the Austin Zoo where our students’ efforts will help an endangered species throughout this year.”