One of the many things devastated by the Eaton Fire was the local ecosystem of plants, wildlife, and the everyday yards and greenery that once made Altadena and Pasadena feel like home. Much of that landscape disappeared overnight. Sierra Madre Middle School teacher and science chair Ravi Dev Anandhan (Mr. Dev) saw the effects this loss of greenery had on students. Seeing the hillsides often reminded students of what they had been through, making it difficult to cope with their emotions. In response, he created a new meditative experience for his 8th-grade students, creating their own miniature ecosystems.
Mr. Dev’s students designed and planted their own miniature terrariums. From decorative rocks to arrangements of ferns and moss, students shaped their own little world of plant life. Some terrariums also had ʻōpaeʻula, or Hawaiian Red Shrimp, as extra residents. After creating these ecosystems, students visited their terrariums daily, monitoring their plants and shrimp and maintaining them.
In Mr Dev’s classroom, a dedicated reflection corner became home to these creations. This corner offered a peaceful space for mindfulness, eco-journaling, and quiet contemplation. During class time and lunch, many students took time to sit, reflect, and write heartfelt notes expressing their gratitude and thoughts about this very different and challenging year. Their writing, displayed on paper shapes, has been uploaded for viewing as a record to their growth and healing.
“These living systems brought calm, connection, and hope into our learning space—especially meaningful for students recovering from fire-related trauma. Indoor plants like ferns purified the air and created a soothing environment. Planting became a symbol of resilience and new beginnings, while caring for greenery helped build healthy routines.
Shrimp ecosystems, such as ʻōpaeʻula in jars, demonstrated how life adapts and restores balance after disruption. As students observed these systems and cared for them, they also learned about the science of ecosystems—how living things depend on one another and their environment to survive.”
Ravi Dev Anandhan, Sierra Madre Middle School/Science Chair
