STEAM lab in the works at Millennial Tech Middle in Chollas View

The San Diego Unified School District broke ground Wednesday on a project at a Chollas View middle school to create a STEAM lab with an emphasis on climate studies.

The Climate Action Design Lab – as well as a concurrent site modernization project – at Millennial Tech Middle School will feature two lab rooms, an outdoor atrium and support spaces.

Wednesday’s event took place during the 40th annual National Pollution Prevention Week and ahead of World Cleanup Day. It included performances by the Lincoln High School cheer team and band, along with a self-programmed drone demonstration from students in the middle school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics program.

“Both National Pollution Prevention Week and World Cleanup Day remind us of the importance of taking care of our environment,” San Diego Unified Superintendent Dr. Fabi Bagula said. “This Climate Action Design Lab will bring those lessons home, integrating outdoor learning with classroom discovery and empowering students to take action.”

The project also includes a student services facility that will serve as the campus entrance, a gym and multipurpose building, a student-use field, locker rooms, solar panels, security enhancements, a reconfigured parking lot, and landscape and sidewalk replacements, according to a statement from SDUSD.

“Our new campus will inspire them to succeed and pursue futures in science and sustainability even more than they already have,” said Nicola Labas, the middle school’s principal.

The design lab will help continue partnerships between the school and Groundwork San Diego and UC San Diego’s Center on Global Justice.

Along with the middle school, Groundwork partners with six additional schools in the Lincoln Cluster, including Lincoln High School and Johnson, Encanto, Webster, Horton and Chollas Mead elementary schools. 

“This partnership is so crucial to teaching Lincoln Cluster students lifelong skills that can encourage them to become leaders in climate action,” Board of Education Trustee Sharon Whitehurst-Payne said. “Teachers are also benefiting from the partnership because they provide the curriculum with Groundwork, and Groundwork comes up with hands-on projects based on that curriculum. It’s a win-win for education.”

The design lab will be the first dedicated climate action lab in the school district. Funding comes from local bond funds, approved by voters.

Construction on the lab and campus modernization is expected to be completed by late 2027.