This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
At my STEM Magnet, our 2nd through 3rd grade students are preparing to launch a hands-on, student-led citizen science project focused on the health of Pasadena’s urban forest. This initiative centers on monitoring and identifying Oak Bore Beetles, including the invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer, in the 91103 and 91104 neighborhoods. Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and our school’s environmental magnet theme, the project gives students a meaningful role in authentic scientific investigation.
Using sticky and funnel traps placed in local parks, community gardens, and other approved sites, students will monitor insect populations that impact native tree species such as oaks and sycamores.
With guidance from local arborists and entomologists, students will regularly check the traps, identify insects, and record their observations using digital journals and field notes. The goal is to determine both the spread of invasive species and the presence of beneficial or native insect varieties that support ecosystem balance.
Our students will analyze and share their findings with community partners, including Pasadena City College’s Natural Sciences Department, the City of Pasadena’s Urban Forestry Program, and the Theodore Payne Foundation. The project will culminate in a student-hosted science fair where they will present their data and recommendations. This experience will foster scientific thinking, deepen environmental awareness, and build partnerships between our school and the broader community—all while empowering students to protect the trees that support our shared urban habitat.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Mickelson and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
