MEarth Inspires the Next Generation of Climate Leaders

By Gabriella Ulloa-Rodrigues

Andrew Hurtado and Evelyn La visited MEarth to conduct research for their internship projects.

This semester, exciting things are happening at California State University, Monterey Bay. Two Energize Colleges interns, Andrew Hurtado and Evelyn La, are driving climate projects under the guidance of Daniel Fernandez, Professor in the Department of Applied Environmental Science. ​

Andrew, a third-year Environmental Studies student, is helping to create a K-12 curriculum centered on energy efficiency and green buildings. ​​“I want to make complex energy topics accessible to young learners,” Andrew said, “and to foster their passion for sustainability.” Evelyn, a fourth-year Environmental Studies student, is exploring the relationship between water and energy. She is developing a higher education curriculum tailored for Professor Fernandez’s infrastructure systems class, with an emphasis on the energy-water nexus, the relationship between water used to generate and transmit energy. “I hope to share the importance of considering both water and energy together for sustainable planning and conservation efforts,” Evelyn shared.

Both interns are in the research stage of their projects, and they recently traveled to MEarth, an experience-based learning center at the Hilton Bialek Habitat in Carmel, California. The experience left them inspired and enlightened. "I was curious about the construction and maintenance of green roofs," ​Andrew said. Exploring the green roof at the Hilton Bialek Habitat, he discovered intricate systems that support sustainable building practices. Evelyn found resonance with her project exploring the connections between energy and water. “It was interesting to see the water catchment systems at MEarth,” said Evelyn. “I learned more about the connections between design and infrastructure. This site visit inspired me to think creatively about sharing the intersection of design and infrastructure to advance environment stewardship.”

Green roof at MEarth

Evelyn sitting on a green roof

Reflecting on their site visit, both Andrew and Evelyn expressed excitement about the possibilities for integrating their learnings into their respective projects. For Andrew, the visit sparked an interest in alternative resources and passive building designs, igniting a desire to explore new avenues of environmental education. "I found it interesting that the passive house certification isn't well known, presenting an opportunity to spread awareness and advocacy about it to advance sustainable construction practices," said Andrew.

Evelyn found inspiration in the intentional design of eco-friendly buildings, recognizing them as pivotal in shaping a more sustainable future. “There are possibilities to have more energy efficient buildings if they are built with intention. MEarth’s building is a step in the right direction to creating more buildings like this in the future,” said Evelyn. “Visiting MEarth expanded my perspective and inspired me to explore additional avenues for curriculum development. I would like to explore developing a hands-on activity that mirrors a rainwater catchment system, akin to the one at MEarth.” ​

Through ​ their internship, Andrew and Evelyn are not only expanding their knowledge but also laying the groundwork for a greener, more sustainable future. As the Energize Colleges program continues to support and grow the next generation of environmental leaders, we are proud to showcase the achievements of interns like Andrew and Evelyn, whose passion and dedication embody the spirit of our mission to empower students to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond.

SEI's Energize Colleges internship program is a transformative experience that combines classroom knowledge with real-world applications to shape the next generation of environmental leaders. Made possible through the support of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the internships are funded by California utility customers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.