GREEN CAREERS FIELD TRIPS

We worked directly with local industry professionals, small business owners, and community-based partners to weave Career Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts into sustainability focused, hands-on Middle School and High School field trip experiences which introduced students to green careers and careers in green industries.

Green Careers

Current demand for talent in green jobs & industries is not being met, and it is projected to grow significantly as we transition to a more sustainable world. Raising youth awareness about green careers is critical to meeting this demand.

Beyond Job Fairs

More than a quick meet and greet, Green Careers Field Trips explore Green Careers when and where they’re happening, learning real workflows and interacting directly with owners or executives and their employees.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD FIELD TRIP

Destinations

SFOA students standing around a commercial fishing boat

Fishing Harbor

Albert from Princeton Seafood demonstrates how to filet a fish

Seafood Restaurant

Ouroboros founder Ken speaks to students about fish health in front of a blue fish tank

Aquaponics Farm

Beekeeping

Students picking their own produce at Fifth Crow Farm

Organic Farm

Goat Dairy

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FIELD TRIP

Destinations

Standing in front of a substation at PG&E

Electrical Substation

Students gathered around a solar array at Nextracker

Solar Tracking Business

EV Charging Business

Electrical Workers Union

SUSTAINABLE WATER FIELD TRIP

Destinations

Educational Farm

Alternative Meats Business

Water System Infrastructure

Water Treatment Plant

Alumni

Sustainability Education

3-Day Middle School Day Camp Pilot

3rd Grade Day Camp Pilot

Curriculum

Energy Supply

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are being adopted at record rates. Campers explore the benefits and drawbacks of renewable vs. non-renewable energy production, and learn about EVs, LED lighting, efficient appliances, and saving energy at home.

Waste Stream

What if we had a zero-waste society where all human produced waste was either recycled or composted and nothing was wasted? Campers gain hands-on experience with recycling and composting, and explore some of the problems of our waste system, including ocean plastics.

Water Supply

All the water we have on Earth stays on Earth — but it changes forms through the water cycle. Campers learn about scarcity of fresh clean water and three ways that water can be captured and reused, and discuss water saving practices that can be taken home and to school.

Food Supply

Some foods require a lot of water to produce — each 1/4 pound burger takes around 660 gallons. Campers learn about organic and water-smart food production technology, sustainable food choices, and enjoy a healthy, sustainable meal sourced from Food Day locations.

Life on Land

Ecosystems on land perform crucial services for the world and humans. Campers explore the massive decline in land species due to habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate change. We discuss how wildfires are linked to climate change, and ways to manage them.

Life Under Water

Our oceans are facing major changes. Fish population decline and over fishing, coral reef decline and the larger effects of climate change, and ocean plastics and their health effects. Campers learn about the oceans and explore ways to protect them and the vital services they provide.

Climate Action

CO2 levels haven’t been this high since 3 million years ago — back then the poles were covered in forests. Campers learn how CO2 is connected to an increase in extreme weather, rising seas, and melting sea ice, and discuss new ideas to slow the effects of climate change.

Sustainable Cities

What if our cities were designed with sustainability in mind? Campers get their hands dirty applying the concepts they learned about waste, water, food, energy, and ecosystems to draft a sustainable city that produces its own renewable energy, food, and water with zero waste.

Supplementary Modules

Big Picture/SDGs

What campers can expect to learn about and experience at SFOA, explains UN SDGs, core and supplementary modules, and activities.

Change Guides

Campers learn about how to make water-smart and sustainable food choices and other ways to lower their carbon footprint.

Footprint Calculator

We all leave a footprint on this world. Campers calculate their environmental footprint, and learn about ways to reduce it.

Smartphone Tools

These tools let campers take the lessons they have learned and bring them home to encourage ongoing action once SFOA is over.

Outings

Food Day

Sustainability Service Project

Forest Hike

Alumni