Equip your students for a career in clean energy

Bring hands-on clean energy curriculum and career connections to your classroom

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About Spark Your Education

We help high school students in San Diego County explore clean energy careers and get work experience — before they even graduate. Through standards-aligned curriculum, mentorship, paid internships and more, we’re helping to build a diverse and job-ready pipeline of future energy professionals.

What You Get with Spark Your Education

What you receive as an educator:

Standards-aligned, ready-to-use career and technical education (CTE) curriculum
Training incentives and no-cost classroom supplies
Professional development workshops
Access a network of industry partners
Support from our team

How students benefit:

Paid internships with local clean energy employers
One-on-one mentorship from industry professionals
No-cost college-level courses and certifications
Direct connections with union careers and trade schools
Support to cover participation costs
Resume building and interview prep

What you receive as an industry partner:

Flexible engagement options to fit your schedule
Opportunities to guest speak and mentor
Training and guidance to make the most of your experience
Meet emerging talent with diverse skill sets and backgrounds
Build meaningful relationships in your local community

How It Works

Enroll & Get Trained

Teach with Support

Deliver standards-aligned lessons with provided materials, supplies and ongoing staff support.

Connect Students with the Industry

Link your students directly with industry mentors, partners and career opportunities.

Track Student Success

Watch your students secure internships, jobs and pathways into clean energy careers.

Enroll & Get Started

Complete an interest form then meet one-on-one with us to learn more and complete required forms.

Set a Schedule That Works for You

Get involved in a way that works for you with varied engagement opportunities and flexible scheduling.

Choose Your Engagements

Engage in the classroom as a speaker or mentor, or on the job by hosting interns, job shadows or workplace tours.

Build Your Network and Community

Connect with other industry partners, grow professionally and invest in the next generation of clean energy talent.

Who It's For

We’re looking for teachers to equip high school students to launch a career in clean energy.

You qualify if you are:

Teaching in grades 9–12 in San Diego County
Interested in introducing pathways to energy careers to your students

We offer stipends and support to help educators and students participate. Priority is given to schools designated as Title I.

We’re looking for industry partners who want to make a positive impact on young people and are currently working in the following or a related field:

Energy efficiency and electrification
Building performance and high-performance building systems
HVAC and heat pump technologies
Electrical trades
Water and wastewater systems

Flexible volunteer opportunities are available. Make a difference in as little as three one-hour sessions or engage through a multiweek mentorship.

How to Get Started

Join our interest list to learn more.

Educator enrollment form

Industry partner interest form

Frequently Asked Questions

For Educators

How much does it cost?

The curriculum, training, lesson supplies and ongoing support are all provided at no cost to eligible schools and educators. Additionally, we offer stipends and connect students to paid internships to ensure money isn’t a barrier to participation.

Is my class eligible?

We serve high school educators (9–12 grade) across San Diego County. We prioritize working with historically underserved communities and Title I schools.

How do I get started?

Join our interest list to be notified when enrollment opens in March 2026.

What is career and technical education (CTE) in clean energy?

CTE provides hands-on, standards-aligned instruction that prepares students for specific career pathways. Our clean energy CTE curriculum combines classroom learning with real-world applications, connecting academic concepts with industry careers.

How much does this require?

The curriculum is flexible and modular. Most lessons can be taught within a class period. You can integrate lessons into existing classes or offer as standalone coursework.

What training do I receive as an educator?

The program begins with an educator orientation to learn the ins and outs of the curriculum and answer your questions. You can also join professional development workshops on topics like energy efficiency, integrated demand side management (IDSM), and how to connect students with mentorship and internship opportunities. Training stipends are provided to compensate you for your training time.

What support do I get after training?

You’ll have access to program staff for ongoing support, a network of fellow educators, connections to industry partners and all materials needed to deliver the curriculum successfully.

How do I connect my students with internships?

We handle the matching process. Our team works with local employers to place students in paid internships that align with their interests and career goals.

Which subjects does this curriculum cover?

The curriculum covers renewable energy systems, electrification, decarbonization, energy efficiency and STEAM skills. It’s standards-aligned and integrates STEAM concepts.

Can I customize the curriculum for my classroom?

Yes. The curriculum is modular and flexible, allowing you to adapt it to your teaching style and students’ needs while maintaining alignment with the standards.

General Questions

How much do clean energy jobs pay?

Entry-level positions in clean energy typically start at $35,000–$60,000+ annually, with significant growth potential. Skilled workers like electricians and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians with experience and certifications in the clean energy sector can earn $70,000–$100,000+.

What jobs are available in clean energy?

Clean energy careers include solar installation technicians, electric vehicle specialists, energy auditors, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians, wind turbine technicians, energy efficiency consultants and many more. Many of these are high-paying union jobs that don’t require a four-year college degree.

What is integrated demand side management (IDSM)?

The term IDSM refers to strategies that optimize energy use through efficiency, electrification and demand response. It’s a growing field with significant career opportunities in California’s clean energy transition.

Who are your partner organizations?

We partner with local colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs, clean energy employers and workforce development organizations across San Diego County, including the U.S. Green Building Council-California’s Green Building Corps network.

What makes this different from other career programs?

We offer a complete pathway: classroom education, one-on-one mentorship from industry professionals, paid internships, pathways to certifications and college coursework and direct connections with employers. It’s a direct path to high-quality clean energy jobs.

For Industry Partners

What types of industry partners are eligible to participate?

Industry partners in energy efficiency, building performance, HVAC, high-performance building systems, electrification, heat pump technologies, electrical trades or water and wastewater systems are prioritized.

How do I become an industry partner?

The first step is to fill out the interest form. After completing the interest form, We will reach out to schedule a call to learn more about your organization and discuss how you would like to be involved.

What type of internships are eligible?

The internship types we connect students to must be aligned with the energy efficiency, building performance, HVAC, high-performance building systems, electrification, heat pump technologies, electrical trades or water and wastewater systems career fields. Program staff will work with you to create a scope of work for an intern, providing support and guidance every step of the way.

How long do I need to host an intern?

We prefer to connect our students with internships lasting at least four weeks but this can vary based on your needs and the scope of work we create with you.

Do I need to pay interns?

We aim to connect students to paid internship opportunities. If you have an internship available but are unable to pay, please contact us by filling out the interest form and we will explore available resources with you.

How old are interns?

Interns are typically between the ages of 15 and 18, and in grades 9-12.

What if my internship runs during the school year?

We accept internships throughout the year. We will work with you and the intern(s) to create a work schedule.

How can I participate if I can’t host interns?

Industry partners can also serve as mentors for students. Make a difference in as little as three one-hour sessions or engage through a multiweek mentorship. Mentors meet with their mentee (class or cohort) once a week or as needed for projects. The mentorship opportunities available are:

Small group mentor: Work with a cohort of 2-3 mentees and provide them with professional development, career exploration discussions and support their professional growth and development.
Educator or classroom mentor: Connect with educators directly to design real-world learning experiences or support their students to bridge classroom learning with industry expertise.