Solar One’s Green Design Lab works with schools and community-based organizations to promote student design and innovation in applying STEM skills to solve environmental challenges. Traditionally we would accomplish this through our hands-on curriculum and in-person programming. Given the new changes in response to Covid-19, Solar One has transitioned our teaching model and curriculum to be compatible with remote learning.
Beyond developing new digital resources, in response to the wave of social and racial justice movements across the country we are reminded of the inextricable link between climate justice and racial justice. Solar One has developed new digital content with the intention of creating a culturally responsive program that centers Black, Indigenous, and People of Color voices in environmentalism. This content is available for free for any NYC OST Providers or informal educators.
Solar One is offering six different digital curriculum modules available through Google suite. The modules are: Environmental Justice, Energy Conservation, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Food & Water Systems, Climate Resiliency & Action, and Service Learning.
Curriculum Outline
Environmental Justice: Students will be introduced to environmental justice and complete projects that challenge them to critically think about the intersectionality between the environment and racial justice, especially during Covid-19 in New York City.
Energy Conservation: After learning about how electricity is produced, students will complete their own energy audits to have a better understanding of their personal energy consumption and the benefits of reducing their carbon footprint.
Renewable Energy: By transitioning to renewable energy we can produce our electricity in a sustainable way. Students will learn about the different types of renewable energy with focus on solar energy here in NYC and the greater global challenge posed by nuclear energy.
Sustainable Food & Water Systems: Students will explore how community gardens act as agents of change to promote food and social justice. In addition, students will strengthen their design thinking skills as they analyze the combined sewer overflow (CSO) issue in NYC to create a more sustainable water management system.
Climate Resiliency & Action: Students understand NYC’s climate risks and develop different strategies to increase community adaptation and build resistance to the effects of climate change.
Service Learning: Different activities to have students organize their ideas to develop a relevant service learning project of their choice to build skills such as critical-thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.
PLEASE NOTE: Please sign up below and to access the curriculum and a Solar One educator will share the Google folders and contact you.
REGISTER HERE for free Curriculum Access
Webinars for High School Youth
Building on the success of our summer webinar series, Solar One will be hosting monthly webinars for high school youth beginning in October of 2020!
These live webinars give youth the opportunity to interact with industry professionals, ask questions, and explore environmental challenges and solutions here in New York City. All webinars will be presented via Zoom.
Check out recordings of our summer webinar series here: Solar One Summer Career Webinars
Resources and One Pagers
