I\u2019ve facilitated several Solar Futures High School programs, serving as a content curator, in-classroom presenter, on-site trainer and more. We\u2019ve partnered with local high schools and organizations serving high school students to create and implement programming to introduce solar to students. It\u2019s been great being a thought leader in what the mission and vision of Solar Futures is in the Bay Area.<\/p>\n
Q. Why do you think it is it important to include students in the transition to clean renewable energy?<\/strong><\/p>\n Younger generations need to know about solutions to climate change, since it\u2019s an issue that is already affecting these generations and will only continue to do so. To create a better future, young people need to be excited, knowledgeable and hopeful about solutions and we want to empower them to be a part of that. It\u2019s about inspiring and mobilizing future movers and shakers!<\/p>\n Q. What types of students are included in Solar Futures training? <\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s important to work with students from all backgrounds. It\u2019s valuable to be informed about the barriers that are in place to an equitable and inclusive clean energy transition. But it\u2019s not just about educating students who have been negatively impacted by the systems disproportionately. It\u2019s important that people who have benefited from societal privilege know about these systems of oppression too. Knowing leads to action, and you can\u2019t solve a problem if you don\u2019t know that it exists. The Solar Futures program provides young people with the tools and platform to learn about these issues and take action. A successful clean energy transition needs to be an all-hands-on-deck effort.<\/p>\n Q. What has been a highlight?<\/strong><\/p>\n After our team noticed the need for deeper engagement and relevance to the students, I began creating materials and activities that would have a stronger impact with the students. Much of the curriculum was \u201cgamified\u201d and made even more hands-on. When we brought it to the classroom, the students really connected with it. One of the facilitators remarked that one of the students had never been so engaged and happy. This new curriculum clicked with the students, and it was just fun. For me, this work has been about innovating ways to engage with students beyond powerpoints: not just telling, but putting the tools in their hands. This is about making students excited to get up in the morning and to carry that excitement with them as they look at their futures – there\u2019s a reason the program has its name!<\/p>\n A huge thank you to all of the students and schools we work with and to Marissa and GRID Bay Area\u2019s whole Workforce Development team who have made this a banner year for educating students and planting the seeds of a brighter future for everyone!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As part of our Solar Futures work, we have engaged more than 200 students this year alone through workshops, an internship program, solar presentations and installations!\u00a0 We interviewed outgoing SolarCorps Workforce an Volunteer Fellow, Marissa Leshnov to learn about the programmatic work she\u2019s been involved in during her term.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4414,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"audience":[],"content-type":[12],"focus-area":[],"region":[],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-4413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","content-type-news"],"acf":{"hero_media_type":"image","hero_media_image":null,"hero_media_url":"","hero_media_poster":null,"hero_video_play":"inline","related_stories":null,"pattern_override":null,"story_callouts":null,"media":null,"featured_blog_post":null,"featured_event":null,"pdf_download":null,"blockquote":null,"author":null,"notice":null,"social_embed":null,"contact_card":null,"meta_details":null,"faq":null,"table":null},"yoast_head":"\n![\"Two](\"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/BA-Solarcars-425-web.jpg\")
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