SMCCCD's Sustainability Discovery Hub
In January 2024, the San Mateo County Community College District established the first Sustainability Hub. With funding by Peninsula Clean Energy, the Hub's mission is to provide an engaging and interactive venue for students to learn about green careers and gain hands-on workforce development training. The Hub serves as a space for all campus community members to connect and explore sustainability topics.
Museum of Tomorrow Model
The SCC implements the Museum of Tomorrow (MoT) model to engage students and faculty across disciplines. MoT is a sustainability pop-up museum designed and built by student assistants to educate their community about climate solutions. Since inception, the Hubhas swiftly expanded and now employs three student assistants. The students have already created three exhibits this year that spotlight green careers and the benefits of electrification. They gain technical skills such as laser cutting, electrical wiring, and 3D design. We encourage faculty to schedule class visits and students to look for us during campus engagement events like Earth Fest!
Who is Peninsula Clean Energy?
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is a community-controlled, not-for-profit, joint powers agency formed as a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program by San Mateo County and all 20 of its cities and towns in 2015. PCE offers many environmental and economic benefits to its community and also provides grant funding covering the materials and staffing of the SCC. PCE also provides the District and San Mateo County community with 100% clean electricity.
Sustainability Hub Student Spotlight
In 2022, it was estimated there were over 210,593 workers in California's green economy with employment demand for green jobs projected to increase by 7.1% over the 5-year period from 2023 to 2028. Top career occupations include jobs in building/construction, energy, and transportation.
Curriculum at SMCCCD
Automotive Technology - SKY
Building Inspection Technology - CSM
CAD/Drafting Technology - CSM
Network Engineering Technology - SKY
Workforce Placement Programs
Green Building Careers
Wind Turbine Service Technician
Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Environmental Engineering Technician
HVAC/R Technician
Construction Manager
2024 Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Award
The Hub was recognized by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for exceptional leadership and achievement in advancing and institutionalizing sustainability education and workforce development.
The award highlighted the Hub's multifaceted approach that included: Implementing the Museum of Tomorrow (MoT) Model to engage students and faculty across disciplines; Strengthening the SMCCCD Sustainability Team’s engagement of campus stakeholders in energy-related projects; Providing a physical space for all campus community members to connect and explore sustainability topics.
Interactive exhibit that uses a model version of San Mateo to highlight the use of clean energy in powering our local community.
Demonstrates the benefits of electrifying home appliances such as cook stoves and heaters for health, environmental, and economic reasons.
Educates players about renewable energy through an interactive augmented reality game, accessible through an Instagram filter. There are 5 different games you can play!
Provides a multi-sensory experience to illustrate the environmental impacts of dietary choices. Through tactile engagement, users explore GHG emissions associated with different types of protein, encouraging a shift towards more sustainable habits.
Educates students on the harms of over-consumption and textile waste associated with the fast-fashion industry. Tall columns provide a visual representation of the amount of textile waste generated from the over-production of low quality and synthetic garments.
Wooden installation that helps students visualize the volume and impact of single-use cups. Students can hang their used cups on the display and reflect on the amount of trash accumulated in a single day. This highlights the importance of resusable and compostable materials.