Empowering Future Innovators: 500+ Middle-Schoolers Attend 3rd Annual Future Green Leaders Summit

AMTV, San Bernardino, CA, Nov 12 – Picture every student, regardless of their background, discovering the opportunities available in sustainability and energy efficiency, and gaining real access to pursue meaningful careers in this dynamic industry. This vision is become a reality for more than 500 middle school students from Title 1 schools within the San Bernardino City Unified School District and the Rialto Unified School District, empowering them to become the architects of a cleaner, and brighter future. On November 12, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. these students attended the 3rd annual Future Green Leaders Summit STEAM career and resource fair at the historic Enterprise Building in downtown San Bernardino. Held for the first time in the City of San Bernardino, the summit was presented by the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), County of Los Angeles.

The Summit was not just an event; it was a dynamic, immersive experience that sparked passion for green careers among young students. Participants got hands-on with innovative clean energy technologies and explored diverse career pathways in sustainability and energy efficiency—all aimed at reducing carbon emissions and creating a healthier and more resilient planet.

The students engaged directly with leaders in the field, including a rap-style “Energy Battle Royale” performance featuring energy superhero characters from Global Inheritance. They also met with musician, Founder/CEO of the Battery Tour, and former UN Youth Ambassador AY Young, who powers his live shows with solar batteries, as well as Kristy Drutman, influencer and Founder of BrownGirl Green. Students also explored STEAM exhibits and resource fair booths hosted by government and industry partners, and participated in student breakout sessions featuring 3D modelling, interactive games, and energy-related careers.

“At the heart of the Future Green Leaders Summit is our commitment to empowering the next generation. We believe every student deserves access to opportunity, inspiration, and the tools to build a cleaner, brighter tomorrow. By bringing together leaders and youth, we are planting the seeds for a resilient, sustainable future—one where creativity and knowledge unlock the doors to limitless possibility,” said Michael Owh, Director of the County of Los Angeles Internal Services Department.

“The Future Green Leaders Summit empowers the next generation to take bold action on sustainability and climate resilience. San Bernardino is proud to support young leaders who are bringing fresh ideas, innovation, and passion to the fight for a healthier planet and a stronger future for our community,” said Mayor Helen Tran, City of San Bernardino.

Middle school students attended from schools across the San Bernardino City Unified School District and Rialto Unified School District. Designed as a collaboration between local government, private industry, and higher education, this experience supported the career readiness goals of these school districts. The event was offered at no cost to participating schools on behalf of SoCalREN.

“I am really excited for the Future Green Leaders Summit. It looks cool and I think it will help me prepare for a job in STEAM in the future,” said Jesus Ramirez, 8th Grader at King Middle School.

Transportation and trade, two of the largest employment sectors in San Bernardino County, offer limitless opportunities for energy efficiency and emerging energy workers – especially important as San Bernardino County averages in the 70-80th percentile of communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution (CalEnviroScreen 4.0). California-wide clean energy employment in 2023 stood at 544,604, with energy efficiency remaining the largest subsector (302,176) and clean vehicles growing the fastest (+14.3% in 2023) (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Participating in the Summit allows students to experience firsthand the exciting green career opportunities and educational pathways available to them in a fun, youth-friendly environment.

For many, this annual summit is the first exposure to these fields. Since its inception in 2023 and through this year’s event, it has inspired 2,100 students with prior dynamic events at the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Discovery Cube museum in the San Fernando Valley. Previous speakers included elected officials, LAUSD district leaders, and district leaders from Los Angeles County’s Internal Services Department.

SoCalRen provides workforce education and training programming, with specific initiatives aimed at introducing youth and young adults from disadvantaged communities to the clean energy field. Over the past 10 years, SoCalREN’s Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Sustainability (ACES) program has connected over 1,900 Title I high school students to college and career pathways in the Science, Technology Engineering, and Arts (STEAM) fields. Collectively, ACES students have earned more than $193,500 in wages through paid summer internships hosted by industry partners.