The DTSD 8th grade Pinata Project. Each year, Spanish teacher Carlos Covarrubias has his 8th grade students create pinatas as a creative project to promote greater understanding and appreciation of Mexican culture. Once the pinatas are finished, each class takes them outside to hang them on the basketball hoop and take turns smashing them open. Students bring in their own candy, so they can enjoy the fruits of their labor. "Pinatas are a fun way to explore Mexican culture," explains Covarrubias. Students are free to design their pinatas as they want and most groups come up with very creative products, ranging from emojis to fast food containers.