Refuge Living Labs

Funds under this award are to be used to conduct Refuge Living Lab programs to use the Refuge and trails as an outdoor classroom and to emphasize hands-on activities by students in the field. The LCDC will provide the Refuge Living Lab programs to 76 3rd - 6th grade classes from communities surrounding San Diego Bay NWR and will engage over 2,000 students and over 380 teachers and parent chaperones. The Refuge Living Labs are designed to teach the elementary school children about the wildlife and habitats found on the Sweetwater Marsh, breadth and importance of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and positive actions that they can take to protect the environment. The curriculum meets Next Generation Science Standards and as part of the program, teachers will attend a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) training and orientation session to prepare them for the field trip to the Refuge.