Celebrating 25 Years of the Living Lab
- Bishop O'Dowd High School
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
From Quarry to Classroom, Students Have Transformed O’Dowd’s Landscape and Its Legacy
For a quarter of a century, O’Dowd’s Living Lab has stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience, and environmental leadership. What began in 2000 as a bold idea from students has flourished into a 4+ acre native plant community, certified wildlife habitat, and sustainable garden that now shapes the lives of every Dragon who steps onto campus.
From Quarry to Kinship with Creation
Two decades ago, the hillside behind O’Dowd was little more than a fenced-off quarry and home to an illegal dump. Students and teachers envisioned something radically different: a place where the community could heal the land, study the natural world, and deepen its commitment to O’Dowd’s charism of kinship with creation.
Armed with shovels, compost, and determination, generations of Dragons transformed that same hillside into renewal. More than 400 trees were planted, trails and outdoor classrooms were built, and thousands of hours of service turned rocky soil into thriving ecosystems.
A Living Classroom
Today, the Living Lab is at the heart of O’Dowd’s academic and spiritual life. Every 9th grader begins their journey here through the Science and the Environment course, learning ecological stewardship alongside scientific skills. Classes across disciplines, from biology to theology, utilize this outdoor classroom to explore connections between environmental science, spirituality, and social justice.
The Center for Environmental Studies (CES), a LEED Platinum–certified building, anchors this work with indoor labs and a covered amphitheater that extends learning seamlessly between classrooms and the Lab. Students also contribute through service: since 2020 alone, O’Dowd students have completed over 13,000 service hours, restoring habitats, composting, planting, and caring for animals.
Leading the Way in Sustainability
The impact of the Living Lab extends far beyond its 4+ acres. A culture of sustainability is seen throughout campus and in the lives of our students.
More than 10,000 students have participated in hands-on environmental education since its founding.
The Lab and cafeteria together have generated over 21,972 pounds of compost, reducing landfill waste and enriching gardens.
O’Dowd’s 425 solar panels have produced 1.63 million kilowatts of clean energy in just three years, cutting the school’s carbon footprint.
Students have grown and donated over 3,100 seedlings to Oakland schools, supporting community gardens across the city.
Inspiring Leaders, Locally and Globally
The Living Lab has become a model for climate literacy and Catholic education. O’Dowd is the only school on the California Catholic Conference of Bishops’ steering committee for sustainability, and partners with the UC and CSU systems to support climate education across California.
On the global stage, O’Dowd contributes to the Vatican’s Laudato Si Action Platform, helping shape environmental education in 54 countries and 1,200 schools worldwide. From hosting summits with student eco-leaders across the U.S. to training thousands of educators through national conferences, Dragons are leading the way.
Looking Ahead
As O’Dowd celebrates 25 years of the Living Lab, the work is far from finished. New generations of Dragons are stepping forward to steward the land, advance sustainability, and carry the vision of kinship with creation into the future.
What began as an abandoned quarry is now a thriving ecosystem and a living testament to student leadership. For the next 25 years and beyond, the Living Lab will continue to grow and inspire as students learn, serve, and lead in shaping a more sustainable world.
Join us as we celebrate 25 years of the Living Lab at the annual Harvest Festival!
Sunday, October 26
1:00-4:00pm
CES Patio and Living Lab
