Albuquerque Public Schools
Office of Innovation Celebrates Weekend of Engagement, Sustainability and Community Pride
Mountain View Spring Fiesta and South Valley Pride Day highlight STEM education and community partnerships.
The Office of Innovation celebrated a weekend of remarkable events showcasing sustainability, STEM education and community partnership.
Through two major initiatives, the Mountain View Spring Fiesta and South Valley Pride Day, the team successfully engaged students, families and the broader community in the spirit of innovation and environmental stewardship.
At the Mountain View Spring Fiesta, the Office of Innovation supported a unique and educational experience by introducing a natural weed mitigation project using goats. Students actively participated in critical thinking, problem-solving and data collection activities as they observed the goats' impact on local vegetation. This hands-on learning opportunity promoted sustainable practices while sparking curiosity and environmental awareness among students.
The event also featured a special collaboration with Shannon Romero from the Indian Education Department, who led a dynamic workshop on the role of pollinators and the creation of reusable beeswax wraps. This partnership further enriched the experience, providing students with tangible skills and knowledge related to sustainability and indigenous perspectives on environmental care.
In addition to being a vibrant educational event, the fiesta served as a recruitment opportunity, with Polk Middle School representatives present to share information about future pathways for students.
Meanwhile, the Sustaining the Future team proudly represented the Office of Innovation at the South Valley Pride Day Parade and Celebration. Staff members engaged families and community members in conversations about the Environmental STEM magnet pathway, an innovative program designed to bring high-quality, theme-based education right to the heart of South Valley schools. Their efforts helped raise awareness of the unique opportunities available to students through this forward-thinking initiative.
"This weekend truly captured the spirit of what our Office of Innovation strives for, which is empowering students through real-world, hands-on learning and building strong partnerships with our community," said Annittra Atler, senior director, Office of Innovation. "It was inspiring to see our students, staff and families come together to celebrate education, sustainability, innovation and pride in our schools."
The Office of Innovation looks forward to building on this momentum as it continues to expand opportunities for all students through groundbreaking programs and community-driven initiatives.