Learning Community

Explore how innovative groundwater recharge and reuse strategies are helping to tackle California’s critical water challenges with John Wuerth, and hear how teachers are transforming sustainability education through a hands-on CTE pathway with Hemet Unified‘s Michelle Serrano—perfect for sparking ideas to bring real-world water solutions to your classroom!

Industry Speaker: John Wuerth, Eastern Municipal Water District

Teacher Speaker: Michelle Serrano, Hemet United School District

Go 0-60 on all things EV! We’ll hear from Matt Stephens-Rich, an industry expert in electrification and decarbonization. He’ll share the basics and complexities of the technology and overlapping careers needed in this growing field. From coordinating fleet deployment and charging initiatives to consumer adoption, Matt has a wide range of experience to share. Science teacher Lauren Smith will share a lesson exploring air pollution, policy, and social justice, highlighting how electrification impacts our communities.

Industry Speaker: Matt Stephens-Rich, Electrification Coalition

Teacher Speaker: Lauren Smith, Science Teacher, Saint Francis High School

Want to empower your students to shape solutions that impact their lives? Join us for an inspiring talk with Neda Deylami, an attorney and advocate for equitable access to zero-emission vehicles. As a new EV owner, she saw the need for more accessible charging stations—and turned that realization into action, shaping legislation and driving real change. Hear how she engaged communities in problem-solving and explore ways to help your students do the same.

Industry Speaker: Neda Deylami, Environmental Defense Fund

Teacher Speaker: Thomas Frazel, Science Teacher, Concord High School

Explore the link between climate action and social equity with Valley Water! Educators will gain valuable insights into how community-focused solutions can protect vulnerable communities from environmental challenges like flooding. Dive into the newest research and discover tools to empower your students with real-world strategies for tackling environmental challenges.

Industry Leaders: Valley Water’s Katie Muller, One Water Project Manager, and Gabriel Vallin, Engineer
Teacher Leader: Darrell Steely, Carmel Middle School

Unlock exciting tech careers in the utilities sector! While flashy startups get the spotlight, public utilities offer a goldmine for opportunities in data analysis, cybersecurity, and software development. See how tech skills can revolutionize water systems, boost efficiency, and lead the charge for sustainability. Plus, take home a simple cybersecurity lesson plan to inspire your students.

Industry Leader: Orlando Leon
Teacher Leader: Jenny Chin

Quantum AI could revolutionize medicine, energy, and climate change with efficiency beyond traditional computing. Open-source collaboration is vital for addressing these challenges, but confidentiality and security are just as important. Join us to explore advancements in this field and the balance between innovation and privacy.

Industry Leader: Kate Weber
Teacher Leader: Jenny Chin

Learn how satellites move and perform complex missions in space, how propulsion is tested on Earth, and lesson connections that hook your students with asteroids, tardigrades, and robotics!

Industry Leader: Andrea Hsu
Teacher Leader: Monica Maynard

With both genome engineering and nature-based approaches to disease resistance and carbon sequestration, Berkeley scientists Peggy Lemaux and Myeong-Je Cho are improving the performance and quality of crops like wheat, sorghum, and the beloved cacao. Anya Schwanes will showcase how she brings the science of genetically engineered crops into her classroom.

Industry Leaders: Peggy Lemaux and Myeong-Je Cho

Embark on a journey into the realm of Electric Vehicles (EV) and information technology (IT). Explore the significance of mentorship, focusing on building trust within teams and addressing the perennial question of “when am I ever going to use this in real life?”

Industry Leader: Mark Peterson
Teacher Leader: Nicole Padia

Learn about the onboarding and support provided to new hires in expanding industries. Gain insights into apprenticeship programs, the skills sought by HR hiring teams, and the support offered post-hiring. Explore the ongoing guides and structures relied upon by those already in the field during their professional journey.

Panel Guests: Chris Allen, Laurel Hanchett, Shekaib Arian, Vidya Gopalakrishnan, Rachelle Salmani

Samira, our industry leader, will provide insights into personal branding strategies for individuals seeking entry-level positions in the Semiconductor field. She will discuss her approach to supporting a diverse team and fostering their professional growth. Additionally, Samira will elaborate on her collaboration with schools to organize tours and workshops for students at her workplace.
Jim, a CTE educator, will share his experiences incorporating semiconductor lessons into his courses.

Industry Leader: Samira Bagheri
Teacher Leader: Jim Burnham

Traditional production of indigo dye utilizes harsh chemicals that lead to environmental damage. Join us as we hear from Tammy Hsu, PhD, the Co-Founder and CSO of Huue, a biotechnology company engineering microbes to create the world’s most sustainable denim dyes! Temy Taylor will share a lesson that also has visible results- bacterial transformation.

Industry Leader: Tammy Hsu
Teacher Leader: Temy Taylor

CRISPR technology continues to evolve: from controlling cell fate to targeting disease. Our industry guest speaker Marie La Russa will help us understand the health advances that come with CRISPR technology and the ethical questions that arise. Kerin Coffey, our teacher leader, will showcase DNA-based hands-on activities that get students excited about cutting-edge science.

Industry Leader: Marie La Russa
Teacher Leader: Kerin Coffey

The CHIPS Act is opening doors to jobs in the semiconductor industry for early talent. From mobile computing and machine learning to supply chain security, we’ll explore what it takes to enter this growing industry with Nader Sehatbakhsh. Lessons we can implement immediately in our classroom that connect students to the skills needed for these jobs will be shared by Jenny Chin.

Industry Leader: Nader Sehatbakhsh
Teacher Leader: Jenny Chin

Laycee, AKA Miss GoElectric, discusses how a mindset change around transportation is coupled with new technologies for a positive environmental and social impact. We’ll also find ways we can implement these ideas into our classrooms with hands-on kits available from RAFT.

Industry Leader: Laycee AKA Miss GoElectric
Teacher Leader: Chase Davenport with RAFT

What does it really take to confidently work in industry today? Through the lens of his work in bioinformatics, Atet Kao takes us on a journey to demystify the actual skills needed by industry professionals, and Svea Anderson helps us directly connect this to our classrooms.

Industry Leader: Atet Kao
Teacher Leader: Svea Anderson

Have you ever considered the cybersecurity of keeping things like fresh water and electricity supplies safe? We’ll hear from Marc Glenn of the Metropolitan Water District Southern California and Ramsey Williams at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) about their current positions and career path. There will be time for Q&A, and then breakout rooms with other teachers to consider how you might bring things you heard back to your students.

We’ll hear from Captain Christopher Clemons of the US Air Force and Brandon Bailey of The Aerospace Corporation about their current positions and career path. There will be time for Q&A, and then breakout rooms with other teachers to consider how you might bring things you heard back to your students.

Come join us as we learn from the forefront of conservation initiatives employing DNA analysis. From researchers overseeing coastal waters and fisheries management to the San Diego Zoo’s utilization of assisted reproduction, and the Academy of Sciences’ exploration of fern and cycad population genetics, we’ll delve into the cutting-edge techniques shaping conservation biology today..

Industry Leaders: Lou Sassoubre, Gwen Wulf, Maia Jones

We’ll hear from Athit Kao at Raytheon Technology Corporation and an expert at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a part of Homeland Security about their current positions and career path. There will be time for Q&A, and then breakout rooms with other teachers to consider how you might bring things you heard back to your students.

Whether specializing in genetic engineering,. bioinformatics, CRISPR technology, next-generation sequencing, all scientists have tried and true tools and techniques they use in their labs. Are the things we’re using and teaching today just as relevant as they were 10 or 20 years ago? Together, their work exemplifies the diverse and innovative approaches driving progress in today’s biotech landscape. We’ll hear about the tried and true techniques in today’s biotech lab, as well as the new and cutting edge techniques.

Industry Leaders: Adriana Del Cid, Manda Wong, Paul Moran, Ryan Cook

Our professionals this month have built amazing careers in some of today’s most cutting-edge areas, including self-driving vehicles, autonomous robotics, computer vision, and deep learning. We’re excited to have Brody Huval, co-founder of Drive.ai (acquired by Apple), and Lee Redden, co-founder of Blue River Technology (acquired by John Deere). Our host this month is Christine Moon, co-founder of BlueSpace.ai, and a Board Member at Ignited.

Industry Leaders: Brody Huval, Lee Redden, Christine Moon