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WHAT IS OTACA ALL ABOUT?
WHAT IS OTACA ALL ABOUT?
The OEA Environmental Justice Caucus (EJC) received a grant from the University of California Office of the President to help groups of teachers make online learning local, active, and relevant for students. The Oakland Teachers Advancing Climate Action (OTACA) collaborative gives us the opportunity to build on this work by supporting teachers and honoring their work as they support students to:
Research and map an Oakland-specific, climate relevant phenomenon or question
Make recommendations related to their findings and take action
This Year OTACA teachers designed and tested student-action projects related to environmental justice.
The otaca journey (22-23)
The otaca journey (22-23)
Event Dates:
KickOff - September 28
Workshop #1 - Urban Heat Island Effect - October 28
End of Semester Celebration - December 7
Workshop #2 - Food Justice and Climate Change - February 3
End of Year Celebration - May 2
Key Forms:
Fill out a W-9! Make sure that you fill out a W-9 and give it back to us. If you weren't able to do it in person, email ejcoakland@gmail.com.
Take our pre-survey by October 13!
Fill out a Midyear reflection by December 3!
Submit your project presentation by April. (What's a project presentation?)
Take our end of year survey!
OUR PROJECTS
OUR PROJECTS
Logan Baird - Kindergarten:
We focused on the problems of litter, compostable material, and waste around our campus. Check out the project here!
Amy Haghighi - Kindergarten:
Kindgarteners learned about the Urban Heat Island effect and used their learning to create a Dream Green Schoolyard. Check out the project here!
Deyanira Mejia, Alicia Gonsales, and Vivan Amachree - Grades 1-3:
Students learn about recycling and how a lack of recycling affects the planet and all living things. Check out the project here!
Sylvi Cohn - 2nd grade:
My students measured the surface temperature of various surface materials on our yard and will use their findings to create proposals for a redesigned yard that will keep kids cool during outdoor play. Check out the project here!
Daniel Krasnor - 2nd Grade:
Advancing zero-waste initiatives, fostering cross-grade climate literacy, implementing schoolwide heat mapping, and hosting our 2nd Annual Toy Exchange. Check out the project here!
Jen Roberts - Elementary Gardening:
Beginning a garden program for school use. Check out the project here!
Jenny Hartigan - Middle School Science:
This is a student-led lunch waste sorting system to reduce methane emissions from food waste in the landfill. Check out the project here!
Kylise Hare - 9th grade:
9th Grade Oakland Tech students are in the process of making Climate Action Plans and will share them with Representatives or Officials. Check out the project here!
Moss Hahn - High School Special Education Case Manager:
Making Trees Personal: How can I advance climate action, be more mindful myself and encourage others to pursue more harmony with nature? Check out the project here!
Devynn Taylor - High School Public Health:
Both the Induction Cooktop Stove Project & the Box Fan Project project was to educate my student about the respiratory health benefits of going electric and the benefits of using an indoor air filter system to reduce Particulate Matter (PM) (PM10/PM2.5) intake. Check out the project here!
Saumitra Kelkar - High School Biology:
My students observed and documented the biodiversity around them throughout the school year. Check out the project here!
Fatima Cruz and Alejandra Tapia - High School Biotech:
How CRISPR can be used in aiding in environmental issues. Check out the project here!
Chris Groth - High School Biology:
Students measured percent green space and surveyed insect populations in 8 different "zones" around campus to see how land use affects biodiversity. Check out the project here!
Michael Bortz - High School Biology:
This project repurposes empty school planters by replacing weeds with edible plants like onions, greens, and tomatoes, helping support the culinary program with fresh, homegrown ingredients. The goal is to reduce food costs and minimize the environmental impact of sourcing from industrial agriculture. Check out the project here!
OTACA KickOFF 2023
OTACA KickOFF 2023
CONTACT US!
CONTACT US!
Do you need help finding resources for your classroom, connecting to local environmental justice organizations, brainstorming or troubleshooting a project idea for your students?
Contact us at ejcoakland@gmail.com or join our weekly office hours from 4:00 - 4:30! Click here to join our zoom.
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