Clean Energy Innovation Pathway Curriculum

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has partnered with leading curriculum developers and experienced educators within the Commonwealth to develop a robust course curriculum for grades 9-12, titled Massachusetts Climate Careers: Powering the Future.

This first-of-its-kind curriculum provides students with an introduction to both the consequences of climate change and current solutions, then explores a variety of local careers in clean energy, including their critical role in supporting the transition to clean energy and other climate-related goals. The course’s lessons were developed with Massachusetts’ current learning standards in mind.

By increasing awareness of career opportunities within Massachusetts’ strong and growing clean energy industry, this curriculum aims to widen students’ perspectives to include new possibilities and encourage them to consider a path toward one of these in-demand careers. Today’s students are tomorrow’s heroes in the clean energy workforce, with an essential role in meeting the climate goals of our communities and beyond.

Key Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

  • Explain the consequences of climate change and identify solutions to address climate change.
  • Describe how climate-critical careers support each other and the success of the transition to clean energy.
  • Compare and contrast climate-critical careers of interest, and discuss their feelings and perspectives related to a career in clean energy.

Course Details

The course consists of 18 lessons, each 50 minutes long. Each lesson builds on those before it, increasing student’s understanding through group discussion, and prompting individual thinking through questions and opportunities for further exploration.

Each lesson includes:

  • Teacher guide
  • Instructional presentation
  • Student activity worksheets
  • Companion videos highlighting example careers through first-person profiles

Course Lessons

1. Understanding and Combating Climate Change

Lesson Summary

This lesson is intended to connect students with the real-world impact of climate change and encourage them to think critically about its relevance to their lives. They will learn about greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change and how that results in changes to our weather, oceans, and ecosystems.

Essential Question

How does climate change affect my life and community, and how can I actively participate in its solution?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain the consequences of climate change.
  2. Identify at least three ways their community can address climate change.
  3. Discuss how they can help combat climate change today and in the future.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

2. The Power of Climate Solutions

Lesson Summary

Students are introduced to Massachusetts’s plan for a future in which there is minimal reliance on fossil fuels for heating homes, powering vehicles, and operating the electric grid.

Essential Question

How is Massachusetts working to be more efficient, transition to renewable energy, optimize energy transmission, protect natural lands, and prepare for climate challenges?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify strategies to improve energy efficiency.
  2. Identify examples of climate technology that advances the use of renewable energy sources.
  3. Explore how different combinations of climate solutions can position us for a healthier future.

Materials

3. Climate Solutions for Our Homes and Schools

Lesson Summary

This lesson is focused on how we can make everyday spaces more climate-friendly, in addition to exploring what’s being done and what else can be done by individuals and institutions to adopt and integrate climate technologies that reduce energy usage and shift Massachusetts toward cleaner sources of energy.

Essential Question

How can climate technologies help homes and schools become part of the climate solution?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explain how solutions such as weatherization, heat pumps, solar energy, efficient appliances, and battery storage make homes and schools climate solutions.
  2. Discuss how their own home, school, and community can be part of the climate solution.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

4. High-Performance Buildings

Lesson Summary

High-performance buildings are an essential solution in our fight against climate change. When designed with sustainable materials, energy-efficient systems, and on-site power generation, such as solar arrays, buildings significantly reduce emissions over their lifetimes. Certification programs, such as LEED and Passive House, inspire developers and designers and ensure that minimum, essential building performance standards are met. The requirements surrounding high-performance buildings create a demand for a wide array of specialized careers and job opportunities in Massachusetts.

Essential Question

How can we use different materials, designs, and processes to ensure that new buildings are part of our climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explain the importance of energy-efficient building design, construction, and materials and their role in fighting climate change
  2. Identify examples of climate-critical professionals designing and implementing solutions for new buildings to contribute to our net-zero goals
  3. Describe some characteristics of LEED-certified and Passive House buildings and how they differ from most current buildings</li

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on YouTube  

Watch on YouTube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

5. Harnessing the Power of the Sun in Our Communities

Lesson Summary

Community Solar allows people to share the benefits of solar energy—including lower emissions and reduced energy costs—without individual systems. Previous lessons have covered several ways to improve energy efficiency and lower carbon emissions. This lesson explores how communities can work together to harness the sun’s power through solar energy projects and provides an opportunity to try designing solar projects for different types of communities.

Essential Question

What is community solar, and what are its benefits?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore examples of community solar projects in Massachusetts.
  2. Identify some examples of climate-critical professionals who work together to make community solar projects successful, from the design to the outreach to the installation and maintenance phases.
  3. Discuss how individual solar and community solar projects can support various individual and community needs.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

6. Networked Geothermal Projects

Lesson Summary

This lesson explores how communities can use the Earth’s natural heat for clean energy. It includes discussions of geothermal careers, the basics of geothermal system types and technologies, a Massachusetts project case study, and a closing activity focused on how to gather community support for a geothermal project.

Essential Question

In what ways will the use of geothermal energy make our communities cleaner and healthier?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore the science behind networked geothermal systems and how they can contribute to clean heating;
  2. Identify examples of climate-critical professionals who work together to design and implement networked geothermal systems;
  3. Discuss the steps that communities take to explore a solution like networked geothermal systems.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

7. Offshore Wind Power and Massachusetts' Transition to Renewable Energy

Lesson Summary

Students will learn the basics of wind turbine technology and how offshore wind power factors into MA’s climate and clean energy goals. They will also examine our ports and what makes a port suitable for inclusion in the offshore wind industry.

Essential Question

How will large-scale offshore wind projects transform Massachusetts’s energy sources?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Describe how wind turbines capture energy and convert it into electricity;
  2. Identify examples of climate-critical professionals who work to design, build, and maintain offshore wind farms;
  3. Discuss how Massachusetts’s ports and other infrastructure contribute to the offshore wind industry.

Materials

8. Transforming Transportation

Lesson Summary

Students examine two primary strategies to reduce pollution from the transportation sector:
reducing growth in total vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by improving alternatives to personal vehicles and transitioning most vehicles on the road to electric vehicles. They are introduced to transit-oriented development and learn about the challenges to siting charging infrastructure.

Essential Question

How can electric vehicles support our transition away from fossil fuels?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Describe the benefits of electrifying transportation and explore solutions to some of the most significant barriers;
  2. Identify climate-critical professionals who work on electric vehicles and charging infrastructure;
  3. Discuss what communities need to electrify transportation fully.

Materials

9. Innovation and the Future of Climate-Tech

Lesson Summary

Today’s lesson will explore real-world examples of creative solutions to climate challenges and how innovation drives the development of climate solutions, especially here in Massachusetts. Students will begin thinking about how technological innovation shapes the future of clean energy. Notably, innovation isn’t always about creating something new. Often, it’s about adapting something in a new way.

Essential Question

How do innovation and creative thinking help us reach our climate goals in Massachusetts?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify examples of how innovation has advanced Massachusetts’s climate solutions;
  2. Identify and describe innovations that will accelerate the creation of new solutions to climate change;
  3. Describe how research and design contribute to innovation in climate solutions.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on YouTube  

Watch on YouTube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

10. Evaluating Climate-Critical Careers

Lesson Summary

This lesson transitions from focusing on different types of clean energy solutions to thinking about the careers that make those solutions possible. Specifically, it focuses on the growth and demand of clean energy and climate-tech career sectors and how to evaluate which of the many different clean energy or climate-tech jobs could be the best fit for students. The lesson explores how skills, interests, and values align with potential careers in this rapidly growing field.

Essential Question

How do I evaluate which climate-critical roles would best fit me?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify career categories and specific occupations in clean energy and climate technology;
  2. Describe how your interests, skills, desired training, career goals, and work environment preferences affect determining the right career fit;
  3. Recognize the growing demand and opportunity of climate-critical careers.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

11. Climate Hero Spotlight: Electricians

Lesson Summary

This is the first of seven lessons to highlight specific climate-critical in-demand careers. The lesson highlights how electricians reduce carbon emissions and support climate resilience in clean energy industries such as solar, wind, and residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements.

Essential Question

How do electricians play a critical role in implementing climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore the range of clean energy projects that electricians work on;
  2. Identify the skills, training, and experiences needed to become an electrician;
  3. Discuss what aspects of a career as an electrician are aligned with their skills, interests, and desired work environment.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

12. Climate Hero Spotlight: Engineers

Lesson Summary

This lesson is all about engineers and their diverse roles in climate solutions. Students will explore how engineers design solutions that help build a sustainable future and the typical skills and interests that result in a successful engineering career.

Essential Question

How do engineers play a critical role in designing climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Describe how engineers contribute to climate-critical projects;
  2. Identify the skills and training needed for engineering careers;
  3. Describe the aspects of an engineering career that align with your skills and interests.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

13. Climate Hero Spotlight: Lineworkers

Lesson Summary

Students learn about the lineworkers who keep the power on in their homes and communities and how they play an essential role in modernizing the utility grid to handle the electrification of buildings and transportation. They step into the role of lineworkers as they work together to plan to restore power to an area after a natural disaster. Scenarios include actual events that happened in Massachusetts.

Essential Question

How do lineworkers and electric utility workers contribute to climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Understand why lineworkers are essential workers and how they contribute to the installation and maintenance of our electrical systems;
  2. Discuss the connection between the state’s climate goals and the expanded need for lineworkers;
  3. Identify the skills, training, and experience needed to become an electrical lineworker;
  4. Discuss which aspects of a lineworker’s career align with their skills, interests, and desired work environment;

Materials

14. Climate Hero Spotlight: Managers and Analysts

Lesson Summary

This is one of seven lessons that will highlight specific climate-critical in-demand careers.

Essential Question

How do analysts and managers contribute to designing and implementing climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Explore how analysts and managers contribute to climate-critical solutions across key technology solutions;
  2. Identify the skills, training, and experiences needed to work in analyst and management roles in clean energy;
  3. Discuss which aspects of a career as an analyst or manager are aligned with their skills, interests, and desired work environment.

Materials

Companion Video

Watch on Youtube  

For more videos spotlighting clean energy careers, check out the YouTube playlist   associated with this curriculum.

15. Climate Hero Spotlight: Construction, Installation, and Maintenance Workers

Lesson Summary

This is one of seven lessons to highlight specific climate-critical in-demand careers.

Essential Question

How do construction, installation, and maintenance workers contribute to climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Identify various construction and maintenance careers in climate solutions;
  2. Understand the growing demand for these roles due to state climate goals;
  3. Explore the skills and training needed for these careers;
  4. Discuss how these careers align with their personal interests and skills.

Materials

16. Climate Hero Spotlight: Wind Turbine Technicians

Lesson Summary

This lesson introduces students to the role of wind turbine technicians within the clean energy industry. It focuses on wind energy’s growing importance for climate goals and job creation. Through discussions, activities, and a hands-on problem-solving scenario, students will explore the daily tasks, required skills, and long-term career potential in wind energy. The lesson also highlights Massachusetts’s renewable energy initiatives, including large-scale offshore wind projects.

This is one of seven lessons to highlight specific climate-critical in-demand careers

Essential Question

How are wind turbine technicians essential to the offshore wind industry and our energy goals in Massachusetts?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Understand wind turbine technician roles and contributions to clean energy;
  2. Recognize the link between climate goals and the need for wind turbine technicians;
  3. Explore the skills, training, and pathways for wind turbine technician careers;
  4. Connect personal interests to possible roles in wind turbine technology.

Materials

17. Climate Hero Spotlight: Sales and Customer Service Workers

Lesson Summary

This lesson introduces students to the critical role of sales and customer service workers in advancing climate solutions. Through discussion, exploration of career pathways, and hands-on activities, students will understand how these professionals promote clean energy adoption and overcome barriers to change. Students will also connect their interests to clean energy careers and practice crafting compelling sales pitches.

This is one of seven lessons to highlight specific climate-critical in-demand careers.

Essential Question

How do sales and customer service workers contribute to individuals and companies participating in climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Understand the role of sales and customer service workers in promoting clean energy;
  2. Recognize barriers to change and how these workers help overcome them;
  3. Identify the skills, training, and experiences needed for these careers;
  4. Discuss which aspects of these careers align with personal interests and skills.

Materials

18. Capstone: My Future in Clean Energy and Climate Tech

Lesson Summary

This lesson is intended to bring together what the students have learned over the previous lessons and identify next steps based on their interests. They will briefly review their journey through the course, including climate solutions and careers supporting them.

Today’s focus will be a personal reflection and career evaluation to help students identify pathways in the clean energy and climate tech sectors that interest and excite them.
In contrast to previous lessons, this lesson has more individual reflection than group work.

Essential Question

What role can I play in climate solutions?

Learning objectives

Students will be able to:

  1. Reflect on climate-critical careers and climate solutions discussed in the course;
  2. Evaluate different career paths based on your skills, interests, and values;
  3. Connect personal strengths with potential career paths in clean energy;
  4. Articulate your role in climate solutions and how you envision contributing to a sustainable future.

Materials

Learning Standards

The course curriculum for Massachusetts Climate Careers: Powering the Future was developed with the Massachusetts learning standards in mind. Relevant standards addressed within the curriculum include:

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Massachusetts Learning Standards  : Common Core

  • SL.9-10.1 and SL.11-12.1 – Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • 9-12.DTC.c.4 – Gather, organize, analyze, and synthesize information using a variety of digital tools-distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Career Technical Education (CTE) Framework  : Strand 4

  • 4.A.01.01 – Develop and revise career plan annually based on workplace awareness and skill attainment.
  • 4.A.01.02 – Assess personal strengths and interest areas to determine potential careers, career pathways and career ladders.
  • 4.A.01.03 – Examine potential career field(s)/discipline(s) and identify criteria to select, secure and keep employment in chosen field(s).
  • 4.A.01.04 – Research and evaluate a variety of careers utilizing multiple sources of information and resources to determine potential career(s) and alternatives.
  • 4.A.01.05 – Identify training and education requirements that lead to employment in chosen field(s) and demonstrate skills related to evaluating employment opportunities.
  • 4.A.01.06 – Explore and evaluate post-secondary educational opportunities including degrees and certifications available, traditional and nontraditional post-secondary pathways, technical school and apprenticeships, cost of education, financing methods including scholarships and loans and the cost of loan repayment.