Planting the seeds to get students to consider green economy jobs

A career fair for middle schoolers mixes learning and fun to cultivate interest.

- BY TYRONE BEASON

A STUDENT looks at cards while learning about climate solutions at the daylong event last week.

At the 2025 Future Green Leaders Summit, middle school students designed fire-resistant homes using artificial intelligence, learned about jobs that support the climate and environment, and cheered on superheroes dressed as “Wind,” “Solar,” “Ethanol” and other energy sources as they squared off in a rap and dance battle.

The daylong event, held at San Bernardino’s Historic Enterprise Building last Wednesday, was organized by the Southern California Regional Energy Network, which is administered by Los Angeles County and paid for by California Public Utility ratepayers.

The approximately 500 students in attendance came from the San Bernardino and neighboring Rialto school districts that have Title 1 status, meaning the schools receive supplemental federal funding because they enroll a high percentage of pupils living in low-income households. In both districts, Latino, Black and Asian residents represent more than 80% of the population, according to the U.S. census.

Organizers said the event was in part intended to confront a disconnect in the green economy. Although students from poor households and families of color are more vulnerable to the effects of rising global temperatures, pollution and food and energy scarcity, people from their communities are less likely to be employed in green industries. Women are underrepresented too.