Mojave Environmental Education Consortium

10/27/2026

Don't wait until the last minute - the deadline to apply for our EE Mini Grant and School Garden Lab Grants is November 1.

10/19/2026

🚨 Today is the LAST DAY to register for MWA’s Problem Solvers Competition! 💧

Middle and high schools within Mojave Water Agency’s service area still have time to sign up for this year’s competition! Students will work in teams to tackle a water-related challenge and compete for scholarships and grants.

💰 1st Place: $3,000
💰 2nd Place: $2,000
💰 3rd Place: $1,000

📅 Don’t miss your chance! Register your school by the end of today using the QR code or by visiting the Outreach page on our website using the link in bio!

10/19/2026

The Mojave Desert is home to an incredible variety of spiders! From tarantulas to wolf spiders and tiny jumping spiders, these eight-legged creatures play an important role in our desert ecosystem.

Why are spiders important?
They help control insect populations.
They are an important part of the desert food web.
They contribute to a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

Spiders may look a little spooky, but they are fascinating creatures that have amazing adaptations to help them survive in our harsh desert environment.

Can you find a spider in your neighborhood or local outdoor space? Observe it from a safe distance and see if you can identify its unique features!

💬What kinds of spiders have you spotted in the High Desert?

10/16/2026

10/14/2026

MEET OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD: BRAD POIRIEZ! 🌎

This week, we’re highlighting Brad Poiriez, a member of MEEC’s Executive Board who is passionate about environmental education and helping students connect with STEM!

Representing the Mojave Desert AQMD, Brad has been a member of the MEEC Board since 2018. The MDAQMD has supported MEEC for more than 20 years and is currently a Black Diamond Sponsor.

🌟 Get to know Brad!

🏞️ Favorite outdoor spot in the High Desert: Spring Valley Lake

🌎 His message to students: "Our environment is precious, and we can all play a part in protecting it, no matter how small our efforts may seem."

🔬 Environmental fun fact: The Los Angeles Air Pollution Control District was established in 1947, becoming the first air pollution control agency of its kind in the United States.

🌍 Dream nature adventure: Exploring Africa or the Amazon to experience their diverse ecosystems.

🎒 Favorite MEEC program: EnviroBus Bucks (EBB) Grants! Brad appreciates how these grants help students get out of the classroom and experience hands-on learning through field trips they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy.

💚 Why MEEC matters: Helping young children participate in STEM activities and understand the importance of protecting our environment.

When he’s not supporting environmental education, Brad enjoys exploring new places and relaxing with family and friends.

Thank you, Brad, for your service on MEEC’s Executive Board and your commitment to environmental education! 🌱

👇 If you could explore any ecosystem in the world, where would you go?

10/13/2026

Get into the Halloween spirit by making these paper circuit light-up cards!

Make paper circuit light-up cards for Halloween. Tutorial includes a Free ebook containing 19 PDF project templates. STEM education

10/08/2026

📣 REMINDER: MEEC GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! 🌱🔬

Looking for funding to bring environmental education and hands-on STEM learning to your students? Now is the time to apply!

MEEC has two grant opportunities available for local schools:

🌎 EE Mini-Grants – Support projects that bring environmental education and STEM learning to life in your classroom.

🌱 School Garden Grants – Help grow hands-on learning opportunities through school gardens, water conservation, and environmental science.

📅 Application Deadline: November 1, 2026!

Don't miss this opportunity to bring new learning experiences to your students. We encourage eligible schools and educators to apply!

👉 Visit https://meeconline.com/for-teachers/scholarships-and-grants/ for grant guidelines and application details.

Student Environmental Visionary Awards MEEC is proud to announce its annual Student Environmental Visionary Awards. MEEC will recognize students for their outstanding contributions to environmental stewardship and awareness on Read More »

10/05/2026

MEET THE MEEC BOARD!

Today, we’re getting to know Erik Gruber, who joined the MEEC team in 2026 from Mitsubishi Cement Corporation.

Here are a few fun facts about him! 👇

🏞️ Favorite High Desert outdoor spot:
The River Walk through Mojave Narrows Regional Park

🌎 Something every student should know about the environment:
Every living organism in nature is in an interconnected web of life. All of life is dependent on other life and resources such as water, sunlight, etc.

🦉 Favorite environmental fact:
Burrowing owls largely do not dig their own burrows!

🗺️ Dream nature adventure:
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky

📚 Favorite school subject:
English and story writing

🚁 A hobby you might not expect:
3D design/printing + FPV drones! His two hobbies have merged into one creative pursuit.

🚲 Favorite way to spend a weekend:
Bike rides, exploring, shopping, and spending time with family.

🔧 MEEC program that caught his attention:
The Maker Space!

💚 Why he loves working with MEEC:
“I know that the organization has a positive impact on kids’ environmental education.”

We’re excited to have Erik involved with MEEC and look forward to seeing how his interests and expertise help inspire the next generation of environmental and STEM learners!

10/01/2026

👻 CREEPY MOJAVE CREATURES! 🦂🕷️🐍

Think the Mojave Desert is just rocks, sand, and sunshine? Think again! 🌵

When the sun goes down, some of the desert's creepiest crawlers come out to hunt, hide, and survive.

🦂 Scorpions – These nighttime predators glow a spooky green under a UV/black light!

🕷️ Tarantulas – They may look terrifying, but these giant hairy spiders are generally shy and aren't considered dangerous to humans. Fall is a great time to spot males wandering around in search of a mate.

😱 Tarantula Hawks – This isn't your average wasp! These large wasps can sting and paralyze a tarantula, then use it to provide food for their young. Nature can be WILD!

👀 Centipedes & Other Creepy Crawlers – The Mojave is home to an incredible variety of insects, spiders, centipedes, and other arthropods, many of which are most active after dark.

The next time you're outside in the desert at night, remember: you're probably not alone! 👀🌙

And while they might look scary, every creature has an important role to play in the Mojave ecosystem. 🌵💚

Which Mojave creature gives you the biggest case of the heebie-jeebies? 👇