Breaking Through to Nature: Open Space Authority and Breakthrough Silicon Valley Summer Experience

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This summer, the Open Space Authority partnered with Breakthrough Silicon Valley (BTSV) for the second year to provide a “Breakthrough Summer Experience” for a small cohort of high school students whose sights are set on college.

Founded in 2002, BTSV is a college access and readiness nonprofit organization based in San José. The organization supports, empowers and prepares local middle school and high school students to become the first in their family to graduate from college and “inspires emerging leaders to be the next generation of educators and advocates for equity.”

Throughout the week-long Breakthrough Summer Experience, Open Space Authority staff guided nine BTSV students through an immersive curriculum that combined hands-on fieldwork with technical and professional learning—offering a dynamic and inspiring introduction to careers in conservation.

The experiential education curriculum included an interpretive experience at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, a presentation on the Open Space Authority and its communications strategies, a stewardship BioBlitz ay Spreckels Hill in North Coyote Valley and a closing day at the Open Space Authority’s headquarters.

A group of people are gathered in a circle outdoors on a field covered in dry, light brownish-tan grass, and a large number of deciduous trees surround the field.

On the first day of the program, Open Space Authority staff led BTSV students through a series of activities at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve to connect with nature and get familiar with the organization’s mission to protect the environment.

A gray, stand-up flip chart with white paper is situated outdoors. The paper is covered with handwritten notes. The background shows a grassy field with patches of dry, light-brown-yellow weeds or wild grasses and some trees.

In one of the first activities of the day (and week), students shared what they were most hoping to see at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Not surprisingly, most responses included the hope of animal sightings! 

Three people stand on dry grass near a wire fence, looking at a drawing that one is holding up, with trees and sunlight filtering through in the background.

In the “camera game” activity, students explored what it’s like to experience the perspectives of someone else, through observing and sketching nature in pairs. 

Two students with clipboards and pencils observe a wooden trail sign about decomposers of the area in a sunny, wooded outdoor setting.

Students completed a scavenger hunt on the Hidden Meadow Trail at Rancho Canada del Oro to learn about the area’s native flora and fauna. 

Two people crouch by a stream, one in a yellow cap, examining rocks. Nearby trays hold tools and notes.

Students collected samples of aquatic species from Llagas Creek at Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve. 

Students and an adult gathered near a stream, examining aquatic samples. One holds a clipboard with charts, another uses a magnifying tool.

Using species charts to identify invertebrates, the students measured the health of the creek. 

A woman, standing and gesturing, leads a discussion with attentive students seated around tables. The classroom has large windows and bookshelves, conveying an educational atmosphere.

On Day 2 of the program, Open Space Authority staff presented the BTSV students with a presentation about the agency, focusing on the communications tools and strategies that go into connecting people with nature in the Santa Clara Valley. 

A group of students hikes through tall, dry grass in a scenic, open field up a slight hill towards the camera.

The third day of the program included a land stewardship activity at Spreckels Hill, followed by a short hike up the small hill in North Coyote Valley.

A group of ten people stands and sits on a grassy hill overlooking a valley. A large oak tree provides shade for the group.

After reaching the top of Spreckels Hill, the students and staff took in the 360-degree view of Coyote Valley, a top conservation priority for the Open Space Authority. 

A large conference room with students gathered around several tables, engaged in discussion. An adult stands in front of a whiteboard labeled "Social Media Promos."

The fourth and final day of the program included a tour of the Open Space Authority office headquarters and a hands-on activity where students practiced creating engaging and informative social media content. 

A man hands a certificate to a student in an office setting. Others sit and watch, smiling. The room is well-lit with large windows and seating.

At the end of the last day, staff presented the students with certificates of completion during a small and heartwarming ceremony at the Open Space Authority office.

A group of young high school students and a man stand inside a well-lit atrium, smiling. Four hold illustrated posters labeled "Rancho Cañada del Oro."

Through programs like this one with Breakthrough Silicon Valley, the Open Space Authority hopes to continue connecting more people with nature and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders, who will protect and steward our natural world for years to come.

This article was cowritten by students in the Breakthrough Silicon Valley summer 2025 cohort.

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