Cool Kid Armando Godoy-Velasquez teaches kids how solar panels work

PICO RIVERA, Calif. (KABC) -- This week's ABC7 Cool Kid is Armando Godoy-Velasquez, who teaches middle school students how to work with solar panels in Pico Rivera.

The 17-year-old started a monthly after-school program at Burke Middle School called Solar Club.

"Kids aren't going to get this type of exposure to the solar energy anywhere else," Armando said. "Solar energy is going to be really big and it's really going to change the environment and help it for the better."

About 20 students get hands-on training with solar panels, learning how to wire them together and to household appliances.

The program started over the summer when Armando traveled two hours by bus to attend classes on solar energy at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Inspired by what he learned, Armando decided to teach his peers and asked his professor for some help.

"It wasn't hard to convince me because I am very enthusiastic about this," Adam Colson, professor at Los Angeles Trade Technical College said.

Armando also volunteers by installing solar panels on rooftops. He's part of the Generation 1st Degree Pico Rivera program, which helps high school students get through the college application process.

"I'm learning as I go with them too, so the kids and I, we're getting the same experience at the same time," Armando said.

The high school senior graduates next spring and plans to attend college to become an engineer.

But in the meantime, he hopes to inspire younger students to be involved in the environment and green energy.

Know an amazing young person making a difference in the community? Learn how to nominate them to be an ABC7 Cool Kid at abc7.com/coolkids.