Educator Grants now open. Apply Now.

Fort Bragg

Zen Lab: Student Wellness Garden

Grant Amount

$13,000

Year Awarded

2026-2027

Project Coordinator

Eric Forrester

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Fort Bragg District Teachers Association

Focus Area

Garden and Outdoor Learning

About the Project

Williamland Elementary serves more than 500 students in a Title I school community where many children have limited access to hands-on STEAM learning opportunities. To expand equitable access, this project will establish the Williamland STEAM Lab, a schoolwide learning space for Pre-K through middle grades that supports hands-on exploration in 3D printing, robotics, engineering, and design. Students will engage in project-based learning that builds creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and confidence. Teachers will receive professional development to integrate STEAM into daily instruction, helping ensure the lab becomes a sustainable part of the school program. The project will also connect students and families with real-world STEAM experiences through mentorship from retired engineers, family STEAM nights, student showcases, and partnerships with before- and after-school programs. By creating a structured, inclusive, and future-focused STEAM hub, Williamland will give students meaningful opportunities to explore, create, and see themselves as innovators.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Eric Forrester

Eric Forrester has spent the past 11 years working in Alternative Education, committed to building meaningful, student-centered learning experiences for young people who don’t always thrive in traditional settings. Based in Fort Bragg, he was part of the team that helped transform the alternative schools into one Big Picture Learning site, deepening its focus on real-world learning, relationships, and student voice. After five years advising 9th–12th graders, Eric made the intentional shift to the alternative middle school, recognizing that strong high school programs are built on solid foundations. He now works with grades 6–8, helping align the student experience across the entire 6–12 site by supporting a more cohesive, purpose-driven pathway for learners. Eric brings a practical, honest perspective grounded in the daily realities of alternative education.

See more brilliant projects from California teachers.

See All IFT Grantees
Scroll to Top