Mount Madonna School · Watsonville, CA

Inspiring students to become global citizens

Jessica Cambell is an award-winning 5th grade teacher and elementary science specialist whose student-led environmental projects have earned national recognition — including four Presidential Environmental Youth Awards.

4×
Presidential Awards
20
Years Teaching
10+
Species Projects
1
GEELA Award
Est. 1979 · 380 Acres · Overlooking Monterey Bay
The Educator

Empowering young voices to protect
the world they inherit

Jessica Cambell teaches 5th grade and elementary science at Mount Madonna School, a private school nestled on 380 acres of redwood-covered hills between Watsonville and Gilroy, overlooking Monterey Bay. Her classroom extends far beyond four walls — into the tide pools of Elkhorn Slough, the beaches of Pajaro Dunes, and the halls of Congress.

In 2007, Jessica and her mentor teacher, the late Sri Gyan James McCaughan, noticed their students felt the world was simply "happening to them." That observation sparked the Fifth-Grade Environmental Project — an evolving, student-led curriculum where each class chooses a threatened or endangered species and spends the year researching, filming, writing, and advocating on its behalf.

The results speak for themselves: student-produced documentaries, petitions to local and federal officials, presentations at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, collaborations with organizations like NOAA and Save Our Shores, and national awards from the White House to the Governor's office in Sacramento.

In 2007, my co-teacher and I noticed that students felt increasingly like the world was 'happening to them,' as if they had no ability to affect positive change. This led to the inspiration which has become the Fifth-Grade Environmental Project.

— Jessica Cambell, writing for Edutopia
🎓
5th Grade & Science Specialist
Teaching 5th grade while also serving as elementary science specialist for grades 1–3, incorporating garden-based nutrition, life and physical science.
🌿
Project-Based Learning Pioneer
Created an environmental curriculum model where students' passions drive learning across core subjects — writing, science, civics, technology, and film.
🎬
Student-Produced Films
Each year, students write, direct, act in, film, and edit educational movies about their chosen species — shared with schools and communities statewide.
🤝
Civic Engagement
Students exercise their First Amendment rights by petitioning elected officials, writing to Congress, and presenting at city councils — real civic action.
The Projects

One class. One species. One year
to make a difference.

Each year, a new class of 5th graders selects a threatened or endangered species, then builds a comprehensive campaign of research, advocacy, film production, and community education. Here are some of the species they've championed.

2019–20
Great White Sharks
"SOS: Save Our Sharks — A Fintastic Tale"
Students collaborated with Shark Stewards, Shark Allies, and NOAA to advocate for shark fin trade bans and reduce single-use plastics in local restaurants. They conducted water testing and beach cleanups in Santa Cruz.
🏆 President's Environmental Youth Award
2017–18
Humpback Whales
Whale Conservation Project
Students studied threats facing humpback whales in the Monterey Bay region and built public awareness campaigns about the impacts of ocean pollution, vessel strikes, and entanglement on whale populations.
🏆 President's Environmental Youth Award
2015–16
Western Snowy Plover
"Shore Wars"
Concerned by declining numbers of this tiny, threatened shorebird, students collected trash at the Pajaro River mouth, studied plastic pollution and sand mining impacts, and presented at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on World Ocean Day.
🏆 President's Environmental Youth Award
2013–14
Sea Turtles
Sea Turtle Conservation Campaign
Students created educational films, hosted Earth Day booths, tested biodegradability of bioplastics with 9th-grade mentors, and educated the public about how everyday choices impact marine life. Referenced by NOAA's Marine Debris Program.
🏆 President's Environmental Youth Award
🦉 2011–12
Burrowing Owl
"Give a Hoot: It's Foul to Hurt the Burrowing Owl"
Students created a film featuring a magical time-traveling pickle hero, planted native grasses at Harkins Slough to restore habitat, and advocated for a species not seen locally for over a decade. Debuted at the Fitz Wetlands Education Center.
🌊 2009–10
Marine Debris
"Our Big Blue Landfill and What We Can Do About It"
Students produced an educational DVD, a coloring book, petitioned the City Council to ban single-use plastic bags, and wrote to members of Congress. Won first place in the Siemens Challenge and Disney Planet Challenge.
🏆 Siemens & Disney National Winner
Student Films

Watch our students in action

Each year, students write, direct, film, edit, and produce educational movies about their chosen species. These films are shared with schools and communities to spread awareness and inspire action.

Recognition

A legacy of national and state honors

From the White House to Sacramento, Jessica's students have been recognized at the highest levels for their environmental advocacy.

2021

President's Environmental Youth Award — Great White Sharks

Fourth PEYA awarded to Mount Madonna 5th graders for the "SOS: Save Our Sharks" project. Students were honored by the EPA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

🇺🇸 White House · EPA
2019

President's Environmental Youth Award — Humpback Whales

Third PEYA awarded for the 2017–18 class project protecting humpback whales in the Monterey Bay ecosystem.

🇺🇸 White House · EPA
2017

President's Environmental Youth Award — Western Snowy Plover

Among 15 national winners. Students were invited to Washington, D.C. and recognized by Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

🇺🇸 White House · EPA
2016

California Governor's Environmental & Economic Leadership Award (GEELA)

Jessica and Mount Madonna School were the only school among 12 California organizations recognized. Presented by CalEPA at a ceremony in Sacramento, with an additional certificate from the California Assembly by Assemblyman Mark Stone.

🏛️ State of California
2015

President's Environmental Youth Award — Sea Turtles

First PEYA for the 2013–14 sea turtle project. Class work was cited by NOAA's Marine Debris Program for bringing home lessons on plastic marine debris.

🇺🇸 White House · EPA
2010

Siemens "We Can Change the World" Challenge — National Winner

First place in the elementary division. Awarded $5,000, an on-site video shoot, a Discovery network feature, and a JumboTron spot in Times Square.

🏢 Siemens
2010

Disney Planet Challenge — 1st in California

Tied for top state prize with schools in Sonoma and South Lake Tahoe. Awarded $1,000 and gift packs for each 5th grader.

🏰 Disney
2008

Disney Environmentality Challenge — California Semifinalist

Among the top 10 projects in California for "5th Grade Will Change the World – Waste Reduction." The project reached over 6,000 community members through presentations and online education.

🏰 Disney
Teaching Philosophy

The roots of the Fifth-Grade
Environmental Project

The project is built on a framework Jessica calls "roots" — required elements that ground each year's work while leaving room for student creativity, passion, and voice. Every project blends real research with authentic civic action.

Student-Led Research

Each class selects their own species, driving months of deep research into habitat, threats, conservation status, and the intersection of human behavior with wildlife survival. Students build genuine expertise and emotional connection to their cause.

Creative Expression

Students write, direct, film, edit, and distribute educational movies. They design coloring books, PSA posters, and awareness campaigns. The creative work integrates technology, writing, and art into authentic, purpose-driven projects.

Civic Engagement

Students contact elected officials, petition city councils, write to members of Congress, and present their work publicly — exercising their First Amendment rights and learning that their voices carry real power in the democratic process.

Community Partnerships

Collaborations with organizations like NOAA, Save Our Shores, Shark Stewards, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the Lonely Whale Foundation connect students with professional scientists and conservationists doing the work they're learning about.

In the News

Featured coverage & publications

Edutopia
Service Learning: Growing Action From the Roots of Passion
Jessica authored a feature piece for the George Lucas Educational Foundation on the philosophy and methods behind the Fifth-Grade Environmental Project.
Santa Cruz Sentinel
Marine Debris Project Draws National Attention
Coverage of the 2009–10 class project that won the Siemens Challenge, Disney Planet Challenge, and multiple local first-place honors.
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Students Win President's Environmental Youth Award
Official recognition of the Snowy Plover project, with the congressman noting students proved "you are never too young to be a steward of our environment."
Santa Cruz Sentinel
Leading to the Top of the Mountain
Coverage of Jessica and Mount Madonna receiving the GEELA Award — the only school among 12 organizations recognized statewide.
NOAA Marine Debris Program
California Teachers Bring Home Lessons on Plastic Marine Debris
Federal reference to the 2013–14 sea turtle project as an example of effective environmental education reaching communities nationwide.
Mount Madonna School
Students Receive PEYA for Shark Conservation
Coverage of the fourth Presidential Award, honoring the "SOS: Save Our Sharks" campaign and its collaboration with multiple marine conservation organizations.
Get in Touch

Learn more about the
Fifth-Grade Environmental Project

Interested in learning more about the Fifth-Grade Environmental Project, service learning curricula, or inviting Jessica to speak? Reach out through Mount Madonna School.

Visit Mount Madonna School →