Reviving the Reef Through Learning, Art, and Action
This January, Da Vinci Connect Core 5 student artwork will be on public display at El Camino College and AltaSea, marking an exciting and meaningful milestone for our middle school students. The exhibitions feature work created during a first-semester interdisciplinary project titled Revive the Reef, in which students transformed their learning into powerful works of art and advocacy to be showcased in a professional gallery setting—amplifying student voice beyond the classroom and into the broader community.
Over the course of the semester, students explored the beauty, importance, and fragility of coral reef ecosystems around the world, examining why reefs matter not only globally but also how their health connects to our own lives here in Southern California. Students studied pressing challenges such as coral bleaching and ocean acidification driven by climate change, as well as the impacts of tourism, overfishing, and coastal development.
The project, led by Core 5 teachers Sascha Lopez and Alex Garnica, emphasized real-world learning and action. Students wrote letters to fast food companies, sunscreen manufacturers, and local government representatives, advocating for changes that could help protect coral reefs. They also heard directly from a marine biologist during a virtual guest presentation, deepening their understanding of marine science and environmental stewardship.
Creativity played a central role in the project. Students created one-pagers outlining actionable solutions and collaborated on a 3D coral reef installation made entirely from recycled materials donated by families, including paper towel rolls, newspapers, and plastic bottles—demonstrating both environmental responsibility and creative problem-solving.
The student exhibition at El Camino College was made possible through the support of Dulce Stein, the grandmother of an 8th grade student and an art curator at El Camino College, who partnered with Da Vinci to help bring student work into a professional gallery space.
The exhibit will be open for public viewing January 6-20 at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506. Gallery hours are Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, or by special appointment (contact: ninetdulce@gmail.com). In addition, similar student work will be showcased at AltaSea in San Pedro, further expanding the reach of this meaningful project. Stay tuned next month for photos from these exciting exhibitions!
Through Revive the Reef, Da Vinci Connect students demonstrated how learning, advocacy, and creativity can come together to inspire real-world impact—reminding us all that protecting our planet starts with informed, engaged young changemakers.
