September 28, 2009

Green Education for At-Risk Students

Posted by Steve Romain at 9:48AM

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(This post originally appeared on 99problems.org.)

During my time in high school, the closest I got to a green education was making a Bonzai tree during a horticulture class, which I clumsily ruined in gym class later that day.

Luckily for kids who are still in high school, a few East Bay high schools in Oakland, CA are leading the pack to green up their learning by instituting green technical education programs.

Ready for the best part? Half of all the students who were admitted are from at-risk communities.

In cooperation with the Berkeley National Laboratory and local organizations such as the Ella Baker Center, Green Academy pilot programs will be instituted at Oakland Technical High School and El Cerrito High School to give students a "school within a school" education about sustainable energy technology as a career path. Gettin' green isn't just going to affect the science classes -- the unified theme is going to be spread to all subject areas, from biology to history to environmental science. And yes, even English literature.

Many of the staff at Berkeley Labs will also be available at these Green Academies for lab tours, talks and demonstrations as well as to provide summer internships for students to help them accelerate their careers in the green field.

These academies are going to spread like crazy: current legislation signed into law by the Governator provides about $42,000 in funding per school, for up to 60 schools across the state. And that's just for the pilot program.

By unifying an environmental worldview with a progressive education, the Green Academy programs are going to do wonders for these students and, consequently, those around them. Low-income communities -- such as those in Oakland, CA -- are extremely under-served in the green movement.

Educating these students will encourage and stimulate these communities economically and empower them to nurture the progressive leaders of tomorrow. Plus, of course, there's that whole do-good-and-sleep-better-by-knowing-you're-helping-the-environment thing.