Coding for Climate: Hands-On STEAM to Boost Environmental Literacy

Grade span | 3-12

Workshop Description | Explore how Forward Education’s Climate Action Kit can enrich California's environmental literacy initiatives by engaging students in hands-on, coding and robotics projects that address real-world climate challenges. Learn how this tool fosters inclusive STEAM education, promoting climate optimism and student agency, aligned with key national standards like the NGSS, CCSS, ISTE Student Standards, and CSTA K-12 Standards 

Presenters | Katlin Walsh

Organization | Forward Education

Session Materials | Slide Deck

Zoom Recording

Support Environmental Literacy Info with COMPASS Resources

Grade span | K-2

Workshop Description | Ever wanted an online resource with basic information, activity suggestions, and videos for environmental literacy for our students – that aren’t unvetted on the open web? You can! The California State Library’s COMPASS program provides a library of vetted resources from PebbleGo, Gale, TeachingBooks, and more – no cost to any individual district, school, teacher, or student. These can be accessed from schools OR from local libraries, so students and guest experts are working with the same materials. Appropriate for all grades, from preschool to pre-college. 

Presenters | Mary Beth Barber

Organization |  California State Library

Session Materials | Slide Deck; Resource Folder

Zoom Recording

Citizen Science & Environmental Literacy

Grade span | 3-12

Workshop Description | How does participation within active Citizen Science campaigns influence the scientific self-image of middle school students who belong to at least one of the following high needs population groups: low socioeconomic status and English Language Learner? 

Presenters | John Kanemoto

Organization | Modesto City Schools

Session Materials | Slide Deck

Zoom Recording 

Passcode: 0EY!@Fv? 

Support Environmental Literacy Info with COMPASS Resources

Grade span | 3-12

Workshop Description | Ever wanted an online resource with basic information, activity suggestions, and videos for environmental literacy for our students – that aren’t unvetted on the open web? You can! The California State Library’s COMPASS program provides a library of vetted resources from PebbleGo, Gale, TeachingBooks, and more – no cost to any individual district, school, teacher, or student. These can be accessed from schools OR from local libraries, so students and guest experts are working with the same materials. Appropriate for all grades, from preschool to pre-college. 

Presenters | Mary Beth Barber

Organization | California State Library

Session Materials | Slide Deck

Zoom Recording

Using Local Air Monitoring Data as an Advocacy Tool for Improved Air Quality

Grade span | 4-12

Workshop Description | This workshop will explore local and regional air monitoring data and demonstrate

how it can serve as an advocacy tool to address air quality concerns in the San Joaquin Valley. In this workshop, educators will gain insights into local and regional air quality and its health impacts. Educators will also explore local and regional air monitoring data, learning how to effectively interpret and utilize this information. Participants will also learn about air quality education resources for high school students and engage in a focused discussion on air quality concerns at their school sites and potential solutions. 

Presenters |  Edgar Garibay and Laura Plascencia

Organization | Valley Improvement Projects

Session Materials | Slide Deck

Zoom Recording 

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences! MWEE!

***Technical Difficulties***

Resources will be shared at a later date. 

Grade span | 4-12

Workshop Description | YOU can be a great watershed educator! Learn the four steps to a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) and start planning yours today! Participants will do a deep dive into fascinating watershed ecology, develop familiarity with the 4-step MWEE approach to curriculum development, and begin adapting the programming to their unique student populations. Equally important, participants will leave with access to a network of other MWEE educators providing a rich resource of pro-tips, tools, and support. 

Presenters | Marci Greenberg

Organization | Ventana Wildlife Society

Session Materials | Slide Deck

Edgar Garibay

Project Manager

Valley Improvement Projects

Edgar Garibay is the Project Manager for Valley Improvement Projects (VIP). He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Biological Sciences and Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus. 

He comes to VIP from the San Joaquin Valley nonprofit sector, with experience in civic engagement and advocacy, coalition building, youth programs and volunteer recruitment. He facilitates presentations to engage communities about local environmental justice concerns.  To address community concerns, Edgar collaborates with community partners and residents in community meetings, workshops, and local City and County meetings.

Laura Plascencia

Community Organizer

Valley Improvement Projects

Laura is a community organizer at Valley Improvement Projects, a non-profit dedicated to social and environmental justice. At 27 years old, she is the youngest of three children born to migrant parents from Zacatecas, Mexico. As a first-generation college graduate, Laura earned her bachelor’s degree from CSU Stanislaus in biological sciences with a focus on organismal, ecological, and evolutionary biology. Born in Modesto, she has spent her entire life in the US living in Stanislaus County, including living in migrant housing in Westley, growing up in Ceres, and now residing in Turlock. Passionate about equity and sustainability, Laura enjoys collaborating with others to build a more resilient and sustainable community. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, as well as hiking and camping by lakes, rivers, and the beach.