Vanderbilt University was awarded a $1,299,788 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation's STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to develop and evaluate an integrated place-based learning and digital storytelling intervention for middle school youth. The three-year project aims to nurture participants' environmental agency, STEM career knowledge, and identities through hands-on watershed investigation, restoration activities with professionals and mentors, and creation of podcasts, augmented reality experiences, and digital magazines about the local landscape. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis will assess indicators of "identity play" and relationships between place-based learning, digital storytelling and identity development. Results will inform design principles for pairing digital technologies and field science to support diverse youths' STEM interests. The funding supports 60 middle school participants in summer camps and Saturday academies from July 2023 through June 2026.