Some students from the Bronx Design and Construction Academy teamed up with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to develop more energy-efficient solar panels.

The students in the Melrose section of the Bronx are measuring how temperature affects solar panels.

"It's kind of amazing because I had the opportunity to get to learn things that other people in the community don't get to know," said ninth grader Ray Figueroa.

"The ASME program is really important for us because it gives our students real-world access to engineers," said Matt Williams of the Bronx Design and Construction Academy.

To find hands-on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities in your community, visit connectamillionminds.com.