Getting Dirty: Thoreau Area Technician Gary Crooker is surrounded by a cloud of dust while helping to unload a truckload of new dirt for the Thoreau High School baseball field Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent)

Weird Science: Larry Leyba peeks over Marius Olsen's science project on electro-magnets while he sets it up for an explanation at Indian Hills Elementary School Wednesday afternoon. (Photo by John A. Bowersmith/Independent)

Predicting a Pontiff: Eighth-grade students at Gallup Catholic watch a fellow classmate's PowerPoint presentation Wednesday. The students prepared presentations on Roman Catholic cardinals who were being touted to succeed Pope John Paul II. The class was working on a "mock conclave," not expecting the announcement of newly elected pope Benedict XVI to come as soon as it did. (Photo by Jeremy Schneider/Independent)