The Sagehen Outdoor Education Program (SOEP) brings the science of the Sierra Nevada to life for local 5th grade students through immersive, hands-on learning at Sagehen Creek Field Station. Founded in 2007 by Tahoe Truckee Unified School District teachers, the Berkeley Natural History Museums, and Sagehen, SOEP now serves 350+ students annually from schools across the Truckee-Tahoe Unified School District.
What Students Experience
Each fall and spring, 5th grade classes visit Sagehen for single-day, outdoor field programs designed to spark curiosity and build ecological literacy. Students explore real scientific topics right in their own backyard while learning how to work collaboratively in nature.
Highlights include:
- Team-building activities in the field
- Flora and fauna identification using real science tools
- Hands-on lessons in local ecology, water quality, and macroinvertebrate sampling
- Peer-led mentoring, where 5th graders from Truckee Elementary return in spring to teach 1st graders during a special “student-led” field day
SOEP provides students with an introduction to the natural sciences, leadership, and a sense of place—all while building respect for their local ecosystems and each other.
Who Makes It Possible
SOEP is a collaborative effort powered by:
- Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP)
- Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS)
- Parent volunteers and classroom teachers
- And a growing network of UC undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs, who serve as UC Science Ambassadors—role models and mentors helping to bridge classroom learning and real-world science.
Lasting Impact
Since its launch, SOEP has helped increase science test scores in participating classrooms by up to 20%, and strengthened the local community’s connection to Sagehen and the broader landscape. By investing in early outdoor education, Sagehen fosters a lifelong appreciation for science, stewardship, and the Sierra Nevada.
Check out photos of SOEP in action below!
