Hands-on Environmental & Cultural Studies

K-12 STEAM education

San Fernando Valley

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Rising temperatures, wild fires, heat emergencies, diminished household budgets for healthy foods, underserved communities, racism, discrimination, disconnection, divisiveness, teen suicide, gender uncertainty & negative impacts of social media are among the many issues faced by our youth today. It is our view that by providing a hands-on and practical approach, the environmental and cultural studies center we plan to build, and its rich natural environment, will provide educators, inspired by the opportunity to work outside of the classroom, with new tools to help their students re-imagine a more positive future; and believe that they can be part of the solution. In addition to the other opportunities that will be available, observing up close and possibly participating in the restoration of a degraded LA River tributary and its habitat, led by Julia Samaniego - a Native American native plant expert, will help students believe that they can create a future of hope and inclusiveness.

Our proposed climate, environmental & cultural studies center, native plant nursery & foraging garden, habitat & watershed restoration, food laboratory and model Native American village will provide hands-on courses to be included in Environmental Sciences and Social Sciences curriculums - providing study of nature's role in the evolution of culture & science, indigenous ways of life as a model of modern sustainability and sustainable building technologies.
Here's how LAUSD Superintendent Carvalho, describes our plans. They:
"Offer and enroll students in a wide array of courses and experiences that support a well-rounded education, such as STEAM courses and Ethnic Studies, during the school day and after school.
Create opportunities for students in all grade levels to engage in extracurricular activities, including student interest clubs, volunteerism, and civic engagement.
As proposed, the Lake Balboa Park Project will further support Los Angeles Unified's effort by providing the opportunity for students to apply the science and engineering practices they learn in their science classroom in a local environmental context. Students will develop an authentic environmental stewardship and practice the role of environmentalists using critical thinking to find healthy solutions for their community for cleaner water, air, and/or energy, and a deeper understanding of the life of Indigenous communities.
It is with enthusiasm that the Division of Instruction supports this project.”

Some schools in LA County have working gardens, and a small handful have farms. The 2000 acre Sepulveda Basin is a unique resource for the County where children will be able to learn about sustainable food production as just one element of their study. Also, while we're planning parking for school buses, the center will be a 3-5 minute walk from the nearest public transit on the Orange Line busway. Around twenty schools are within walking distance to the Orange Line, which like other Metro services offers free rides to LAUSD students. We believe, and the staffs of City Council, County, State and Federal representatives agree, that the range of study as outlined will play a significant role in nurturing future generations of informed community leaders, and support a significant number of students from underserved communities.