The Oak Grove Student Council took their coffee business to the next level last week with an exciting field trip to Santa Rosa Coffee in Peoria Heights. This local roastery, known for its high-quality beans and sustainable practices, gave students a deep dive into the world of coffee—from bean to brew.
Santa Rosa Coffee was founded with a mission to share ethically sourced coffee grown on their own farm in Colombia, giving students a firsthand look at the global trade process. The team at Santa Rosa walked students through how they grow, harvest, export, and import their beans—all while managing the complex logistics of international shipping, including transportation through the Panama Canal.
But the learning didn’t stop at geography and business. Science and math played a big role in the day. Students were introduced to the Coriolis effect—a concept from physics and earth science—when learning why it's best to pour water in a clockwise motion when making coffee. They also worked through real-world math conversions between standard and metric systems, an essential skill when dealing with international trade and coffee preparation techniques.
The hands-on portion of the trip was a student favorite. Everyone had the opportunity to learn how to brew coffee using the pour over method, a French press, and an AeroPress. The Santa Rosa team did a phenomenal job teaching the art and science of a great brew. Students were especially curious, asking thoughtful questions like how to identify a good cup of coffee without tasting it—a valuable skill for those managing the Oak Grove coffee cart.
Throughout the visit, students took detailed notes and gained a whole new appreciation for the complexity and craftsmanship behind this favorite morning beverage. It's safe to say that the Oak Grove coffee cart will be better than ever next year thanks to everything they learned.
A huge thank-you to Santa Rosa Coffee for an unforgettable learning experience that blended science, math, global trade, and entrepreneurship into one rich and flavorful field trip!
