SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CITY OF SAN DIEGO ORGANIZATIONS

Solana Center's science-based school programs inspire and empower students to live sustainably, to reduce and rethink waste, and to become change-makers on their campuses and in their communities. This program is sponsored by the City of San Diego providing FREE presentations for all San Diego City schools.

Get in Touch

Front view of Solana Center building with open door, potted plants, and a sunny sky.

Contact Sarah for more information: sarah.vanhorn@solanacenter.org about scheduling or details (760) 436-7986 ex. 709

This program is sponsored by the City of San Diego providing FREE presentations for all San Diego City schools.

Group of children and adults smiling, wearing blue aprons with a sunflower logo, standing outdoors with some people kneeling in front. This appears to be a community service or volunteer event.

School Eco-Literacy Program Offerings

Our school presentations in the City of San Diego focus on preventing food waste and responsibly composting what you can't eat. The curriculum offers lessons and solutions applicable both at school and at home through the City of San Diego's organics recycling program.

These presentations are suitable for grades K-12, and are aligned with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards).

  • The goal of our waste diversion school program is to work with school district stakeholders to create a lunch waste sorting program in order to significantly reduce the amount of waste being taken to the landfill.

    California legislation (AB 1826) has made diverting organic waste from the landfills mandatory for schools. By utilizing our waste diversion program, your students will already have the training and experience to meet diversion goals.

  • Solana Center works with school staff to develop lunch waste sorting stations appropriate to your current lunch waste streams.

  • Training is provided for cafeteria and administrative staff to guide waste prevention and diversion from food services.

  • Custom education presentation will be created to support the program covering the 4 Rs (reuse, reduce, recycle, and rot), vermicomposting, and an introduction to your new sorting station. Students learn the importance of properly sorting their waste.

  • Waste audits will be performed before and after education to allow a metric for determining lunch waste sorting success.

Schedule a Presentation

Two young girls in colorful summer clothes standing in front of a bright blue, gray, and yellow wall, laughing and playing with mud.

Contact Sarah for more information: sarah.vanhorn@solanacenter.org about scheduling or details (760) 436-7986 ex. 709

This program is sponsored by the City of San Diego providing FREE presentations for all San Diego City schools.

Case Study:

After our education and outreach, one school in the San Ysidro School District achieved 96% accuracy in lunch waste sorting, enabling more of their waste stream to be recycled and composted!

Watch the following video to learn more about our school waste sorting program!

More Resources for Kids: Family Fun Activities!

Environmental protection and conservation is an important goal that the whole family can take action towards. Take a look at the family fun resources for young environmental stewards with more coming soon!

“My students loved the chance to explore and examine the soil with worms. Thank you for being so organized and keeping the lesson engaging for students.”

— Teacher

Contact Sarah for more information: sarah.vanhorn@solanacenter.org about scheduling or details (760) 436-7986 ex. 709

This program is sponsored by the City of San Diego providing FREE presentations for all San Diego City schools.