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Encinitas, CA

Into the Wild: A Living Laboratory for Environmental Education

Grant Amount

$19,421

Year Awarded

2025-2026

Project Coordinator

Miriam Sikking

Grant Type

Team

Local Association

Teachers of Encinitas

Focus Area

Environmental Justice

About the Project

This project is a school-wide environmental science initiative that will engage over 500 TK–6 students in hands-on learning directly tied to the native canyon habitat next to campus. The project includes constructing a dedicated lab space and equipping it with scientific tools to support student-led investigations of local ecosystems. Students will study native and invasive species, conduct soil and water testing, and contribute to real-world citizen science databases. Every grade level will participate in developmentally appropriate environmental research
—from weather tracking in kindergarten to cellular analysis in upper grades—making science accessible for all learners, including multilingual and neurodiverse students.

Meet the Project Coordinator

Miriam Sikking

I am a teacher on special assignment who is the International Baccalaureate Coordinator. I work with all teachers kindergarten through 6th grade on campus to implement the IB program through coaching, classroom observation and analysis of student work. Last year, I was lucky to be part of a teacher cohort led by the San Diego Botanical Garden called the Living Lab Working Group. There we learned about the science of the canyon behind our school and met with experts in biology about various scientific topics. We then created and implemented lessons for students linking outdoor science to the California state standards. I am very excited to continue the work I was part of last year and create an outdoor space for students to explore science through hands-on lessons.

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