Climate Related STEM Community of Practice
November 6, 2025
Funded by the California Department of Education
Our Why
Presentation: https://bit.ly/3JEN5Dz
Our vision for Communities of Practice
Presentation: https://bit.ly/3JEN5Dz
Presentation: https://bit.ly/3JEN5Dz
Agenda
8:30-9:00 Coffee and pastry welcome and overview of the day with community building
9-10:15 Resource Roundup and GSPP Expected Outcomes
10:15-11:15 Case Study in Creating a Green Pathway
BREAK
11:15-12:15 Tour Wildfire and Climate Resilience Site Visit with SDG&E
12:30-1:30 Speed Networking Lunch
1:40-2:40 Energy Coalition Presentation on Greening CTE
2:40-3:10 Community of Practice: Project Tuning Conversations
3:10-3:30 Reflection and survey
Presentation: https://bit.ly/3JEN5Dz
SDCOE Staff
Facilitators:
Gini Mann-Deibert, Ph.D., Project Specialist
Christopher Millow, Champion Teacher
GSPP Staff:
Joel Tapia, Ed.D., Coordinator
Michael Bruder, Senior Director of College and Career Readiness
Nicole Gagnon, GSPP Program Secretary
Introductions and
Ice Breaker
with Christopher Millow
Part 1
The Story of Your Name (first, last, or both!)
Ex: How did you get your name, if/why have you changed it, a funny story about it, the meaning of it… You can share any part of your name - first, middle, last…
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Part 2
Preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse
Be prepared to share out a few highlights!
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Part 3
Your Public Persona
Ex: maybe you’re seen as someone who gets things started but wants to be known as someone who always follows through…
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Crystal Starr Howe, Coordinator, Environmental Literacy, SDCOE
crystal.howe@sdcoe.net
State Seal of Civic Engagement
September 10, 2020, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted criteria and guidance to award a State Seal of Civic Engagement to California students who demonstrate excellence in civics education and participation, and an understanding of the United States Constitution, the California Constitution, and the democratic system of government.
Statewide Criteria | Local Considerations |
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Civic Learning
Civics and Environmental Literacy are Linked
Education Session Topics:
Includes sessions on:
Student Summit:
Email Crystal if interested
Climate Booklist
Bring Climate into ELA through literature.
TK-12 booklist supports NGSS standards related to climate and AB 285.
San Diego Environmental Literacy Summit
March 25, 2026 at San Diego County Office of Education
Submit for a 45 information session or a 90 minute application session.
GSPP Expected Outcomes
Overview of RTAC Resources/Expected Outcomes
GSPP
Outcomes
Overview
Outcome 1: Integrated Program of Study
Integration can be achieved through the design of coursework. Develop and integrate standards-based academics with a career-relevant, sequenced curriculum following industry-themed pathways that are aligned to high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand jobs in their regional economy or the state economy. Academic, CTE, and postsecondary courses can be integrated to create coherent instructional design that supports student academic development. Core academic classes include career-themed content, and CTE classes should include core academic content. The pathway is designed to have interdisciplinary learning opportunities, including work-based learning that help students make connections and see the real-world applications of their learning.
How does this look in your classroom?
What would you like it to look like in your classroom?
Outcome 6: Articulated Pathways
Pathways align and articulate with both postsecondary and business partners. Sequential curriculum aligns with industry and competencies. GSPP Pathways have articulation from high school to postsecondary education and training aligned with the workforce development needs of their regional economy.
How does this look in your classroom?
What would you like it to look like in your classroom?
Outcome 7: Collaboratively Built Pathways
Pathways establish comprehensive and timely collaboration with other Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), postsecondary partners, local and regional employers and other relevant community interest holders to build relevant, articulated and informed pathways.
How does this look in your classroom?
What would you like it to look like in your classroom?
Talk Amongst Yourselves, I’ll Give You a Topic
Is there something you are already doing that is stellar for one of these outcomes?
Is there something you wish you could do/been thinking about for one of these outcomes?
Is this all brand new to you?
Hang on to your notes! We are coming back to this after lunch!
Case Study in Creating a Green Pathway
with
Paula Ann Trevino and Kevin Myron
Helix Charter High School
Break 11:05-11:15
Tour:
Wildfire and Climate Resilience Site Visit with SDG&E
Lunch
Energy Coalition’s Greening CTE
with
Siria Salas
Engaging students in real-world sustainability
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About me
Program Manager, Education & Training
Educational background:
Favorite Quote:
Siria Sala
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at no-cost | grades TK-12 | Standards-aligned
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Our Funding Partners
Energy is Everything is funded by California utility customers, administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and supported by the state’s other investor-owned utilities (IOUs), under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC).
Educators in IOU areas across California are eligible to enroll and receive the Energy is Everything program at no-cost*
*Program funds, including any funds utilized for rebates or incentives, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until such funds are no longer available. This program may be modified or terminated without prior notice. Customers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase any additional goods or services offered by The Energy Coalition or any other third party. The selection, purchase, and ownership of goods and/or services are the sole responsibility of the customer. None of the IOUs make any warranty, whether express or implied, including the warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, of goods or services selected by customer. None of the IOUs endorse, qualify, or guarantee the work of The Energy Coalition or any other third party. Eligibility requirements apply; see the program conditions for details.
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Program Offerings
Terminology
Curriculum designed to be taught in a traditional classroom setting.
Formal curriculum
Curriculum designed specifically for before/after school, outdoor, environmental, or camp-style instruction in a non-classroom setting.
Informal curriculum
Formal and informal educators enrolled in Energy is Everything.
Energy Educator
Curriculum designed for hybrid or virtual learning that can be taught at home with little guidance from an educator or adult.
@Home curriculum
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Education Standard Alignments
Career and Technical Education
Next Generation Science Standards
California’s Environmental Principles
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Environmental STEAM lessons available to enrolled educators!
200+
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Modular Design
Grade Level
Topics
Agriculture & Greening
Air & Transportation
Circuitry
Climate Literacy
Electricity
Electrification
Nonrenewable Resources
Renewable Resources
Waste Management
Water-Energy Nexus
Planet
Protectors
TK-2
Resource
Managers
3-5
Earth
Engineers
6-8
Future
Innovators
9-12
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Implementation Process
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Student Energy ACTIONS
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My Future Energy Career
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CTE & Energy is Everything
Energy, Environment, and Utilities
Campus and Operations Trends
Curriculum and Instruction Alignment
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Energy, Environment, and Utilities
Environmental Resources Courses
Curriculum
CTE & Energy is Everything
Energy, Environment, and Utilities
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Career Technical Education
Energy, Environment, and Utilities
Environmental Resources
Curriculum
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Energy Internship
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Junior Energy Manager Certification
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A TK-12th grade education program that provides educators with the tools and resources to help their students build the knowledge and skills needed for a changing energy future.
Comprehensive
Lesson Plans
Lesson
Supplies
Student
Experiences
Staff
Support
Enrolled educators receive resources at no cost!
energy-is-everything.org
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Energy Pathways Program
Engaging Stakeholders
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The Energy Coalition
Engaging Stakeholders
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TEC’s San Diego-wide reach supports and sets the stage for successful implementation
The Energy Coalition
Engaging Stakeholders
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TEC’s analysis of market needs has identified the remaining San Diego county schools districts to target for program participation
The Energy Coalition
Task 5
Program Implementation
Conduct a regional needs assessment to identify gaps and recommend strategies for green workforce development
Provide stipends to help cover expenses and remove barriers to participation.
Offer mentorship, career fairs, and internship opportunities.
Launch a pilot project connecting underserved high school students to pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways
TEC plans to enroll 5,000 students, deliver 50,000 training hours, and facilitate hundreds of mentorships and certifications, collaboratively with SDREN by:
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The Energy Coalition
Participant Journey (Educator)
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The Energy Coalition
Participant Journey (Student)
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The Energy Coalition
Community of Practice
Connect & Reflect
Reflect on your learning today in the context of your site.
What is a challenge/wondering/dilemma that’s coming up in your practice/at your site, as it relates to your Climate Related STEM Pathway?
What are you taking away from today’s learning, and/or what is something you are thinking about integrating or enhancing at your site?
Take a 5 minutes to write out your thoughts, then be prepared to share.
Dilemmas…
Reflect on your learning today in the context of your site.
What is a challenge/wondering/dilemma that’s coming up in your practice/at your site, as it relates to your Climate Related STEM Pathway?
Take a 3 minutes to write out your thoughts, then be prepared to share.
Dilemma Consultancy Protocol
Goal: to help a teacher come up with creative solutions to a thorny dilemma
Norms
Size of Group
One presenter, one facilitator, and 3–10 others.
Advance Preparation (we just did this!)
Presenter should come up with a dilemma. This should be a challenge that’s coming up in their practice that they aren’t making headway on by thinking alone.
Why do we use a protocol?
1. Overview of Dilemma (2 min)
Presenter gives an overview of the dilemma and frames a focus question for the group to consider. It is helpful to post the dilemma question somewhere everyone can see. Participants actively listen.
2. Clarifying & Probing Questions (6 min)
Clarifying Questions: Clarifying questions have brief, factual answers and are intended to help the group develop a deeper understanding of the dilemma. An example of a clarifying question is “How many times a week does the entire faculty meet?”
Probing Questions: Probing questions help the presenter expand his/her thinking about the dilemma. However, probing questions should not be “advice in disguise”, such as “Have you considered…?” An example of a probing question is “What is your hunch about how to handle this issue?”
3. Discussion (7 min)
The presenter reframes the question if necessary and then removes themself to the outside of the circle. The group discusses the dilemma while the presenter is silent and takes notes. Participants should resist the urge to speak directly to the presenter and instead address each other.
Warm feedback: ALWAYS lead with warm feedback, such as “What strengths do we see in the presenter’s thinking?” or “What do we appreciate about the presenter’s ideas?”
Opportunities for growth and intervention: Next, the group takes a more critical look at the dilemma, using the presenter’s question to focus the discussion. Possible questions to explore:
4. Reflection (3 min)
The presenter reflects on what they heard and what they are now thinking, sharing any points that particularly resonated, and any potential next steps.
Exit Survey
Golden State Pathways Program
Southern Coast Regional Technical Assistance Center (RTAC)
Gini Mann-Deibert, PhD
Project Specialist, Golden State Pathways Program
858-571-7246
Contact Us