ҹɫÊÓƵ

On Friday, Nov. 21, 60 high school seniors from Tennyson and Mt. Eden High Schools in Hayward will be at Cal State East Bay for the Climate Empowerment Learning Initiative Writer’s Workshop — a day that blends climate science, storytelling and imagination to spark creativity and inspire climate awareness.

The featured guest, Talia Lakshmi Kolluri, author of What We Fed to the Manticore, will lead a writing session in which students will explore her short stories about humanity’s connection to the natural world. 

CELI serves as the culminating experience of a seven-week unit for students, powered by Amazon. The day at Cal State East Bay will include interactive learning opportunities designed to build both English Language Arts skills and climate literacy. Students will go on a campus tour, visit the Ice Core Science Lab with Gita Dunhill, professor of Earth, Environmental, and Sustainability Science, and CELI Teacher on Special assignment Nancy Wright, and participate in a writing activity with Sarah Nielsen and Michelle St. George, faculty in Writing, Languages, and Literatures.

“Michelle and I are excited to welcome Tennyson and Mt. Eden students to campus, talk about what to expect in college writing classes, and engage in a creative writing activity that invites students to reflect on connections among Lakshmi Kolluri’s book and their own ideas, experiences, and dreams for the world we share,” said Nielsen. 

"We believe in the power of meaningful collaboration with local organizations," said Jorge Carrillo, Amazon community engagement manager. "We take pride in supporting initiatives like CELI that bring equitable STEM education opportunities to students while fostering critical thinking and creativity, especially around a sustainable future. Through these important partnerships, we strive to be good neighbors in the communities where we live and work." 

Supported by the National Science Foundation’s ITEST Program and Amazon and led by Cal State East Bay, the CELI initiative brings educators and researchers together to reimagine how schools teach about climate change. CELI’s “Heart-Head-Hands” approach integrates emotional engagement, scientific inquiry and practical action — helping students move from climate anxiety to climate agency.