The Dirtbag Diaries Field Trip
Dec 26, 2025
Taylor Mihalik, a biology teacher in Central California, leads inspiring outdoor field trips for her students. Her journey into bikepacking began with a long trek on the Tour Divide, pushing her limits and fostering optimism. Joined by Dan Connell, a bikepacking expert, they discuss the balance of teaching and racing, the transformative power of outdoor learning, and Taylor's struggle with fear and injury during the race. Her adventure captivates her students, inspiring them to embrace nature and biology.
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Teaching Biology Through A Campus Tree
- Taylor Mihalik takes her students outside to study a single on-campus tree throughout the year to teach biology hands-on.
- Students noticed seasonal changes and learned that living systems are dynamic and observable close to home.
Local Field Trips Spark First Encounters With Nature
- Many students at Pioneer Valley had little to no outdoor experience before Taylor's class.
- Introducing local hikes and beach trips exposed students to nature and sparked genuine curiosity.
Teaching In A Demographically Different Town
- Taylor moved from SLO to teach in Santa Maria and found the demographic differences striking.
- Her Title I school serves many recent immigrants and students with limited English exposure to nature.