Explore Ballona! – Sparking Science Interest in Students

K-12 STEAM education

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit) LAUSD (select only if you have a district-wide partnership) City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Science is a new accountability indicator in the most recent California School Dashboard, which tracks the performance of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). District students are 17.9 points below standard, and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are 20.2 points below standard. These shortfalls indicate a continual need for engaging science learning so that students can succeed in the STEAM disciplines.
But at the heart of these statistics are the individuals -- each and every student in the LAUSD. If you ask a student what they learned in science class, do their eyes light up? Too many teachers report disinterested students and, even within our own staff’s experience, there is the familiar story of being a kid who lacked access to nature and had no interest in science. But what is actually lacking is opportunity. Just one opportunity can spark change for a student. And when thousands of students experience that positive change, it can transform Los Angeles.

Explore Ballona! ® utilizes the Ballona Wetlands as a local learning lab for students to grow as scientists and environmental stewards. Expert staff lead grade-specific, standards-based, bilingual curriculum during field trips and in classrooms before and after each field trip. Buses to and from the Wetlands are fully funded, offsetting Title 1 schools’ financial constraints.
The innovative aspect is our Partner School approach. In Partner Schools, at least three grade levels participate, each benefiting from a curriculum written specifically for their grade and for the standards associated with that grade. The continuity of programming allows students to grow their science knowledge with a consistent ecological touchpoint. For three years, we have piloted this program at two Title 1 schools where we serve all grade levels (K-5), and we have seen success in student comprehension, teacher feedback, and the excitement from students who see our staff on campus and shout, “When are we going to Ballona Wetlands again!?”
We recognize student improvements in STEAM will be through the schoolyear efforts of teachers, but this program can provide the needed spark. As Ms. Flores, a Partner School 5th grade teacher reports, “I have enjoyed seeing some students who are typically uninterested in schoolwork come out and talk engagingly both during the lessons and field trip. It also sparked a lot of conversations about college and wanting to work in an environmental field!”

With this grant, we will expand our Partner School model to create the spark Title 1 students need in order to be more engaged in the classroom. While learning about science, they will become more interested in the natural places in their neighborhood, and they will be prepared for L.A.’s future challenges. As we maintain existing Partner Schools and expand to two new Title 1 schools already identified, we will increase our service numbers, providing 1,680 Title 1 student with our immersive curriculum.
With Partner Schools, we commit to providing our program year after year, and that is what makes our work unique. By the end of our Title 1 students’ elementary schooling, Los Angeles will have more science- and environmentally-literate young people who are excited by the prospect of a STEAM career and who are engaged in the welfare of our local green spaces. This impact grows as they share their knowledge and enthusiasm with their parents, abuelos, and community.