Edison High School students will soon be raising endangered trout in a newly expanded Innovation Lab, gaining hands-on experience in marine science while helping protect a species at risk.
Educators and board members from the Huntington Beach Union High School District celebrated the grand opening of the fully-equipped aquarium lab on Dec. 18, complete with new technology that allows students to study marine biology, aquaculture and environmental science.
Through partnerships with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, students will care for southern steelhead trout rescued from local creeks damaged by drought, wildfires and debris flows. The upgraded space can house up to 650 trout, which will remain in suitable habitats as they recover before being released back into the wild — an approach designed to help the fish retain their natural behaviors.
Through real-world work such as monitoring water quality, maintaining aquatic systems and supporting fish health, students will apply classroom science to ongoing conservation efforts.
As part of Edison’s Marine Aquarium Science and Aquaculture/Aquaponics Program, students can earn college credit for courses while building skills that prepare them for future careers as marine scientists and environmental stewards.
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- From award-winning educators to student changemakers, Orange County’s schools were well represented on the OC Register’s 2025 list of the 125 Most Influential People, including the 2026 OC Teachers of the Year and Newport Harbor student Ryan Honary.
- Sunburst Youth Academy cadets recently took a step toward their future by picking out professional suits, an experience aimed at boosting confidence and preparing each student for life beyond the classroom.
- Orange County’s academic event season will soon be underway with key dates announced for major events that celebrate students’ academic success in subjects like mathematics, the arts and STEM.
- The most recent Conditions of Children in Orange County report found that more than half of the county’s high school graduates have completed their A-G course requirements in order to apply for University of California or California State University schools — surpassing the statewide average.
- Orange County’s top arts educators and advocates will be honored at the 2026 OC Music and Arts Administrator Awards for strengthening student learning and arts education across the region.
- A Los Alamitos High School junior recently introduced the Best Buddies Club to her campus peers, building new connections between general education and special education students with a friendly tournament of bocce ball.
- Students at Laguna Beach High School unveiled a student-led edible garden on campus to provide fresh produce and hands-on learning opportunities for the entire school community.
- EdSource reported that California schools’ efforts to expand career technical education courses are meeting greater student demand, with more than 26 percent of high schoolers completing a career pathway in the 2024-25 academic year.
- The Estancia High School Eagles recently dominated their way to a 2-0 victory against crosstown rivals, the Costa Mesa High Mustangs, in the annual Battle for the Bell girls’ soccer match.
- Amid the increasing use of artificial intelligence across industry sectors, a recent national poll from the Center for Democracy and Technology found that more than 40 percent of surveyed sixth- through 12th-grade teachers used AI detection tools in their grading process.
- The Orange County Register reported that a board trustee in the Brea Olinda Unified School District was arrested Thursday after allegedly sending explicit messages to minors.
- Students studying to earn graduate or advanced degrees in their desired profession could face limits on how much they can borrow in loans — up to $20,500 per year and $100,000 in total for most — based on a newly-issued draft rule by the U.S. Department of Education.
- California community college enrollment is on the rise as students return to school to gain job skills, with some districts reporting double-digit increases compared to last year.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.