Franklin STEM News

The top three places in the recently concluded LAUSD's Earth Day Minecraft Competition went to three of Mr. Villamil's Environmental Technology students. First place went to Adam Dimas, 2nd place to Nolan Aragones, and 3rd place to Jorge Medina.

Earthwatch’s Girls in Science fellowship empowers teens to expand their interest in science and technology and to build confidence through hands-on environmental research. Since launching the program in 2016, Earthwatch has awarded 70 high school girls the fully funded opportunity to perform scientific research alongside female experts in the field.

Using high-tech equipment and careful observation, these young women help collect crucial data in the search for solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

This year, 10th grader Mikaela Flores is named Earthwatch's Girls in Science Fellow with the project title,"Restoring Meadows in the Sierra Nevada Mountains".

Over the course of 30 years, Earthwatch and the Durfee Foundation have sent nearly 2,000 students from over 270 high schools on 300 fully-funded research expeditions. Those student fellows—more than half of whom went on to major in science in college—have contributed approximately 136,000 hours on hand-on field research that has directly advanced scientific knowledge and environmental conservation.

Senior student Jahir Lopez is one of these Earthwatch student fellows.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) participant Allan Gomez has been very active in the program since joining back in March 2021. Allan earned his short term certifications in OSHA10 and Confined Safety Space, he also completed his 120 hour paid internship.

Franklin students who are part of the Boyle Heights Tech Center Internship and WIOA internship programs have successfully completed their certifications and career pathway workshops. Interns worked on these certifications and workshops between the months of March and April. Participants have earned an OSHA 10, Confined Space and Safety, and post-COVID-19 awareness certifications.