Pathways to STEM

Mural Artist: Ian Stiles-Mikl
August 2026

Designed by Ian Stiles-Mikl, this mural celebrates the breadth of Lemon Grove Academy Middle School’s science, engineering, and STEM programs, with a focus on the students at the center of these learning experiences.

A DNA double helix connects the different life science subjects while creating a series of visual “windows” into scenes of students learning and exploring. One scene shows two students collaborating on a hands-on project with real tools, surrounded by gears that reference engineering, CTE, and STEM pathways. The central scene features a student looking through a microscope, highlighting scientific exploration and discovery, while the final scene shows a student looking through a telescope, connecting to LGAM’s rocket-building activities and the spirit of curiosity, exploration, and future aspirations.

On the right side, a bush sunflower and swallowtail butterfly reference the school’s community garden and its connection to nature, sustainability, and the environment. The swallowtail butterfly can also be seen around the school, adding another connection between the mural and the natural environment of the campus. Together, these elements create a student-centered celebration of the many ways LGAM students engage with science, technology, and the world around them.