The Sustainability Resource Center currently offers the following programs:
Curriculum Exchange Program-NEED Project Kits: We have invested in a number of these energy related kits. Each kit provides between 10-20 activities, which can be easily completed within one semester or trimester. When a teacher has completed the kit, it will be pick up by our staff to replenished and then available for another teacher. One elementary teacher can complete 2-3 kits per school year.
Program Presentations: In order for teachers to become familiar with the program offerings our staff can give a short presentation during summer PD or regular staff meetings. The presentation includes a brief slide-show to outline our services, examples of projects from a variety of kits, and the opportunity to reserve kits.
Ongoing classroom support: For any teacher that uses a kit we provide in-class support for that remainder of the school year. Participation might include leading sustainability lessons, modeling particular teaching strategies, circulating between students, or simply helping manage project supplies during a lesson. This is solely up to the teacher, we are here to help. Our staff is also available to run an engaging activities during school science/engineering nights. Popular activities include: a windmill investigation and building a lemon battery.
Customized lessons/units: The last thing that we want teachers to feel is that our sustainability lessons are "yet another thing to do." Rather, we would love to supplement your current curriculum with project based learning opportunities. Again, it is completely up to the teacher, to what degree we are involved in lesson planning, but we can introduce a number of engaging sustainability lessons to learners ala "Science Friday", cater projects for one specific unit (such as Energy/Electricity), or even map out an entire school year. Custom units being done this year include Exploring Electricity Sources and How Humans Use Nature to Meet their Needs.
Career Technical Pathways: One of the larger goals of our Center is to provide opportunities for our learners to pursue sustainability related career paths. It is our belief that providing sustainability lessons beginning at Kindergarten sets our learners off on this path, as they develop interests throughout the years. As students reach the last years of high school, Cuesta College has a number of opportunities for students to obtain college credit while still in school and become connected to real industry employment opportunities.