05/21/2026
First Annual Pollinator Pathway Palooza Blooms Across Adams 12 STEM Schools
On May 13, 2026, students, families, educators, city leaders, and community organizations gathered at STEM Launch for the first-ever Pollinator Pathway Palooza, the culminating celebration of the yearlong Problem-Based Learning unit, “Pathways for Pollinators: Blooming Together.”
The initiative united students from STEM Launch and STEM Lab with conservation organizations, local cities, and community experts to address a real-world environmental challenge: the loss of safe habitats for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
The project began in January with a collaborative planning process involving educators, students, and community partners including the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and Denver Botanic Gardens, along with the cities of Thornton, Northglenn, Westminster, and Federal Heights. Together, they developed a shared vision of creating connected pollinator-friendly spaces across school campuses and into surrounding neighborhoods.
Students explored the importance of biodiversity, habitat loss, sustainability, and environmental stewardship through hands-on STEM learning experiences. Throughout the spring, they designed gardens, built growing systems, collected ecological data, and learned directly from community experts.
At STEM Launch, first grade teachers Ms. Weimer and Ms. Werkele guided students through foundational lessons about pollinators and native plants. Students planted flowers, observed pollinator behavior, and learned how ecosystems depend on pollinating species.
“I learned that bees help grow fruits and vegetables,” shared one first grader. “Now I want to help bees at home too.”
Sixth grade engineering students in Mr. Rupert’s classes designed and constructed planter boxes that expanded pollinator-friendly growing spaces across campus. Students applied engineering and measurement skills while building structures designed to support long-term habitat growth.
“Our students realized engineering can solve environmental problems,” said Mr. Rupert. “They were proud knowing their work would continue helping pollinators long after the event.”
The school’s STEM Ambassadors, led by Ms. Evans, engineered bucket gardens and successfully grew wildflowers hydroponically using EDRack systems. Students redesigned and tested growing methods while learning about sustainable agriculture, hydroponics, and environmental innovation.
“It was exciting to see flowers grow without soil,” said one STEM Ambassador. “We kept redesigning our systems until they worked better.”
Students from STEM Lab’s second grade classes also participated by contributing pollinator-focused learning activities and habitat education projects that highlighted the importance of creating welcoming environments for wildlife and insects.
A major component of the project involved citizen science and community participation through the iNaturalist Pollinator Pathway initiative. Students and families documented pollinators, plants, and biodiversity observations to help build a growing database of ecological information across Adams 12 communities.
Community members can continue contributing observations to the project here:
Adams 12 Five Star Schools Pollinator Pathway Project on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/adams-12-five-star-schools-pollinator-pathway
Throughout the project, students also connected with local experts and organizations including the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, local beekeepers, composting organizations, and city leaders working to expand sustainability initiatives across the region.
The Pollinator Pathway Palooza featured student presentations, garden displays, hydroponic systems, pollinator education booths, and opportunities for families to learn how to create pollinator-friendly habitats at home. The event highlighted the power of authentic Problem-Based Learning by connecting classroom learning directly to community impact.
“Pollinator Pathway Palooza represents what STEM education should be,” said Ms. Evans, STEM Coordinator at STEM Launch. “Students collaborated across grade levels, worked alongside community experts, and used their learning to make a meaningful environmental impact in our schools and neighborhoods.”
From engineered planter boxes and hydroponic wildflowers to pollinator observations and community gardens, the first annual Pollinator Pathway Palooza demonstrated how students can become powerful environmental leaders when given authentic opportunities to solve real-world problems together.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance City of Thornton, Colorado GovernmentButterfly PavilionSTEM Lab School
