We are thrilled to introduce the 2026 Class of STEAM Grant Awardees for the Classroom of the Future Foundation’s (CFF) 23rd Annual “Innovation in Education Awards.”
Each year, CFF invites K–12 public schools, charters, and districts across San Diego County to apply for grants recognizing extraordinary innovation in education. This year, our panel of judges reviewed a remarkable pool of applicants — and the programs selected as winners truly exemplify what is possible when educators think boldly, design purposefully, and put students at the center of learning.
These outstanding programs will be formally honored on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at SeaWorld San Diego, in front of more than 300 education, business, and community leaders. We can’t wait to celebrate them!
🏆 IMPACT AWARD — $10,000
1904 Cadets: Building a K–12 Fire & EMS Pipeline Through Real-World Public Safety Education
School/District: 1904 Cadets (Multiple School Districts)
The Impact Award — CFF’s highest honor — goes to 1904 Cadets, a pioneering K–12 career pathway program that immerses students in hands-on Fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training. The name “1904 Cadets” is itself a nod to San Diego pride: it uses the 19th and 4th letters of the alphabet to represent “SD.”
From leadership development to real-world problem solving, 1904 Cadets connects students to industry-aligned curriculum and community partnerships that bridge the gap between the classroom and life-saving careers. Students don’t just learn about public safety — they practice authentic Fire and EMS skills that prepare them for civic responsibility and meaningful futures.
This program is a powerful reminder that career and technical education, done right, can change the trajectory of a young person’s life.
✨ INSPIRE AWARD — $5,000
Roots of Change: From Garden to Table to Community
School/District: Solana Beach School District
The Inspire Award recognizes programs that spark wonder and a love of learning — and Roots of Change does exactly that. Solana Beach School District has transformed school gardens into living classrooms where students from Pre-K (Jumpstart) through 6th grade grow and harvest food, apply that knowledge through hands-on recipes, practice environmental stewardship through food recovery, and engage with real problems around nutrition and community care.
Learning here is purposeful, student-driven, and visible well beyond the school day. This is interdisciplinary education at its finest: where science, health, and community connect in the most tangible way possible — through the food students grow with their own hands.
✨ INSPIRE — Honorable Mention
Monte Vista Elementary Innovation Lab
School/District: Monte Vista Elementary / Vista Unified School District
The Monte Vista Innovation Lab is an inclusive, hands-on learning environment where students in grades TK–5 explore their interests, strengths, and values through innovation and design. Students build essential skills in design thinking, coding, prototyping, robotics, entrepreneurship, and creative arts — all while nurturing social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
By connecting activities to global goals and empowering young changemakers to find resourceful solutions, the Innovation Lab is cultivating the next generation of creative problem-solvers.
💡 INNOVATE AWARD — $5,000
Flight Path to the Future: The MTM Drone Innovation Program
School/District: Millennial Tech Middle School, San Diego Unified School District
The Innovate Award goes to a program that is literally taking student learning to new heights. The MTM Drone Innovation Program at Millennial Tech Middle School teaches students to code, pilot, and repair drones while applying real STEM skills to monitor the local watershed. Through competitions and student-run drone companies, participants gain hands-on experience with teamwork, leadership, and career-ready skills.
Designed specifically with students historically underrepresented in STEM in mind, this program combines technical rigor with real-world accountability — building confidence, academic growth, and 21st-century skills that will serve students far beyond the classroom.
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💡 INNOVATE — Honorable Mention
The Sound Station
School/District: Chula Vista Elementary School District
The Sound Station is an immersive learning experience where sixth-grade students collaborate to compose, produce, and market music — all while exploring careers in the creative economy. Through RIASEC-based activities spanning digital audio production, instrument creation, and graphic design, students connect their own strengths and interests to real-world career pathways.
This program is proof that creativity is a rigorous discipline — and that future-ready skills can be built just as effectively through a beat as through a blueprint.
About the CFF Innovation in Education STEAM Grant Program
The CFF “Innovation in Education” STEAM Grant Program awards up to $25,000 annually to recognize and support innovative educational programs across San Diego County. Grants this year range from $5,000 for the Inspire and Innovate awards to $10,000 for the Impact Award, the program’s best-in-class recognition.
Beyond the grant dollars, awardees receive:
- Recognition before 300+ education, business, and community leaders at the annual awards event
- A video profile that is featured during the awards program and archived on the CFF website
- A display-worthy trophy recognizing the program and its school or district
CFF’s mission — to inspire, support, and recognize educational innovation in San Diego County schools by partnering with education, business, and community leaders — is alive and well in each of this year’s winning programs.
Join Us on May 14th!
The 23rd Annual CFF “Innovation in Education Awards” takes place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at SeaWorld San Diego. The evening includes the awards program followed by a hosted reception.
We invite the entire San Diego education community to join us in celebrating these extraordinary educators and the students whose lives they are transforming.
Support these award-winning programs by purchasing your tickets today on our Eventbrite page at ClassroomOfTheFuture.org/23rdAnnualEvent
Stay connected:
- 📧 Join our email list to receive updates
- 💙 Make a donation to support future innovation grants
- 🎥 Watch past award winner videos on our website
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Class of STEAM Grant Awardees — your work is making a profound difference for students across San Diego County. We are honored to celebrate you!