First wave deadline
22 February 2026
Application fee increased afterward.
In-person Program
Energy for a Sustainable Society High School Course
A hands-on sustainability course exploring renewable energy, bioenergy and the links between food, energy and waste through labs, field experiences and team projects.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
In-person Program
Energy for a Sustainable Society High School Course
A hands-on sustainability course exploring renewable energy, bioenergy and the links between food, energy and waste through labs, field experiences and team projects.
Last verified: 26 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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We review public program details such as eligibility, age range, cost, duration, location, format, accommodation, meals and application timing.
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Last verified is the latest date Succeed checked the public details shown on this page. Program dates, prices and availability can still change.
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Sustainable Energy Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Closed
Eligibility
Grades 9-12; 3.0 GPA
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
San Luis Obispo, California
Cost
$2,998-$5,398
Duration
2 weeks
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
17 May 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Get next-cycle reminderEnvironmental ScienceThe planet & sustainability
Accommodation: Residential or commuter
Meals: All meals or lunch
Certificate / Outcome: CEUs and completion certificate
Sessions / cadence: Nine 3-hour classes
Main output: Small-scale biogas system
Sustainable Energy Course summary
Students explore how energy, food and waste interact, with particular attention to renewable energy, bioenergy and resource recovery.
The course combines lessons with mini-labs, an Energy Diary, field experiences and a team project that converts organic waste into usable biogas.
It suits students who want practical environmental science and a structured taste of campus-based study rather than lecture-only learning.
What is Energy for a Sustainable Society High School Course?
Energy for a Sustainable Society is a Summer Springboard course delivered in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education. It examines where energy comes from and how food and agricultural waste can be transformed into renewable energy.
Students learn through lessons, daily energy-awareness activities, guided field experiences and bioenergy mini-labs. The central practical project involves designing, building and monitoring a small-scale anaerobic digester that turns organic waste into biogas.
Why Succeed highlights Sustainable Energy Course
The course turns an abstract sustainability topic into a tangible team-built biogas system.
Biodiesel and ethanol mini-labs broaden the experience beyond one renewable-energy pathway.
An Energy Diary connects global energy questions with students' daily choices and habits.
Course-specific field experiences show how food rescue, composting and commercial biogas work in practice.
The named instructor brings Cal Poly research experience in bioenergy, environmental microbiology and sustainable agriculture.
Who is Sustainable Energy Course for?
Best for
High school students who enjoy environmental science, practical experiments and connecting technical systems with community sustainability.
Not ideal if
You want a purely theoretical course, an online format or a narrowly engineering-focused energy curriculum.
Is Sustainable Energy Course worth it?
The course is compelling for students who want to test an interest in sustainability through practical work rather than passive observation. The combination of a working digester project, mini-labs, field experiences and campus life creates several useful points for later academic reflection.
The main limitation is cost, particularly for the residential option, and the course is exploratory rather than a full technical qualification. Its value is strongest when the student is genuinely interested in energy or environmental systems and will reflect on what they learned afterward.
A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$2,998-$5,398; includes Residential tuition includes all meals and lodging., Both options include the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and weekday programming., Residential students receive campus activities and dorm accommodation..
Accommodation
Residential or commuter
Meals
All meals or lunch
Provider details
Review the Summer Springboard provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
2 weeks; San Luis Obispo, California.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Sustainable Energy Course need?
Effort level
Moderate to high.
Best started
Begin planning two to three months before the next session, allowing time for the application, travel, payment and required forms.
Main challenge
Connecting biological processes, energy systems and waste recovery in one practical model.
Typical preparation
Review basic renewable-energy and anaerobic-digestion vocabulary.
Think about how your household or school uses energy and manages food waste.
Prepare examples that demonstrate your academic readiness and interest.
Residential students should plan travel documents, health forms and campus packing early.
Useful if
You already enjoy environmental science, biology, engineering or hands-on problem-solving.
What do students do on Sustainable Energy Course?
Students move from core energy and sustainability concepts into experiments, field learning and a collaborative bioenergy build.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Examine energy sources, energy use and systems thinking.
- 2
Track daily energy consumption in a reflective Energy Diary.
- 3
Explore ethanol fermentation and biodiesel production through mini-labs.
- 4
Design and build a small-scale anaerobic digester in a team.
- 5
Monitor how the system converts organic waste into biogas.
- 6
Visit organizations connected with food rescue, composting or commercial biogas.
- 7
Interpret results and connect them with personal and community action.
Sustainable Energy Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Second wave deadline
19 April 2026
Application fee increased afterward.
Final admission deadline
17 May 2026
Final general admission date for Summer 2026.
Session 2
19-31 July 2026
Energy for a Sustainable Society course run.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First wave deadline | 22 February 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Second wave deadline | 19 April 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final admission deadline | 17 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Session 2 | 19-31 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Open to students in Grades 9-12.
Minimum 3.0 GPA or local equivalent.
Students entering high school in fall may enroll.
Recent spring high school graduates may enroll.
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency.
Students must meet the Essential Eligibility Criteria.
How much does Sustainable Energy Course cost?
Residential tuition
$5,398 — All meals, lodging and weekend excursions included.
Funding or discounts
- Commuter tuition: $2,998 — Lunch and weekday programming included.
- Application fee: From $99 — Mandatory and nonrefundable.
- Deposit: $600 — Paid with the application to hold a place.
- Weekend excursion add-on: $125 per day — Optional for commuter students.
- Tuition protection: $699 — Optional cancellation plan for campus programs.
What's included
Residential tuition includes all meals and lodging., Both options include the academic course and excursions., Residential tuition includes weekend excursions., Commuter tuition includes lunch and weekday programming., Residential students receive campus activities and dorm accommodation.
How to apply to Sustainable Energy Course
- 1
Ask a parent or guardian to create an application-portal account.
- 2
Verify the registration email and complete the account details.
- 3
Choose Create New Application from the dashboard.
- 4
Select Cal Poly, the session, this course and a tuition type.
- 5
Complete the student information with the student present.
- 6
Pay the $600 deposit and application fee.
- 7
Submit the complete application for review.
- 8
Complete any additional forms released after acceptance.
What does Sustainable Energy Course cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Energy systems
Understand energy sources, use, sustainability and systems thinking.
Bioenergy pathways
Investigate anaerobic digestion, ethanol fermentation and biodiesel production.
Food-energy-waste nexus
Explore waste reduction, resource recovery and interconnected systems.
Applied sustainability
Connect global challenges with personal choices and community action.
Field exploration
Observe food rescue, composting and commercial biogas operations.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Sustainable Energy Course?
A typical day during the program.
Academic course
Three-hour subject classes run on weekday mornings.
Afternoon program
Academic excursions, recreation and college-readiness activities follow lunch.
Residential evening
Dinner, clubs and evening activities precede dorm checks.
Course cadence
Five classes in week one and four in week two.
Who teaches on Sustainable Energy Course?
Dr. Sara Kuwahara is listed as the course instructor and is an assistant professor in Cal Poly's BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department. Her research spans environmental microbiology, bioenergy, microalgae photobioreactors and sustainable agriculture.
The Cal Poly campus program states that instructors are Cal Poly faculty with access to facilities used by university students.
Where do students stay on Sustainable Energy Course?
Residential plan
- Campus dormitory: Students share rooms with roommates on gender-segregated floors.
- Meals: All meals are included, generally using campus dining facilities.
- Residential support: Mentors live on student floors, with staff support available around the clock.
- Campus security: Dorms use electronic access and university security patrols continuously.
- Weekend excursions: Central Coast activities and weekend trips are included.
Non-residential plan
- Weekday attendance: Commuters attend programming from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday.
- Lunch: Lunch is included for commuter students.
Shared dorm rooms use common bathrooms, and Cal Poly residence rooms do not have air conditioning.
What happens after Sustainable Energy Course?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Use the biogas build as evidence of practical environmental-science engagement.
Reflect on field experiences when exploring sustainability or bioenergy pathways.
Build foundational knowledge for environmental science, agriculture or renewable-energy study.
Earn Cal Poly Continuing Education Units as published for the campus program.
Receive a completion certificate and professor recommendation letter.
The course is exploratory and does not replace a formal school qualification.
Where does Sustainable Energy Course take place?
The course takes place at Cal Poly SLO in San Luis Obispo, between California's rolling hills and Central Coast. Students use the campus for classes, dining and residential life, while excursions may connect the course with local food-rescue and bioenergy organizations.
Summer Springboard states that this Cal Poly program is run in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education.
Sustainable Energy Course FAQs
It covers energy sources, sustainability, systems thinking, renewable energy, bioenergy and the relationship among food, energy and waste.
Yes. Students build and monitor a small anaerobic digester, conduct bioenergy mini-labs and track their own energy use.
The published structure has nine three-hour morning classes: Monday-Friday in week one and Monday-Thursday in week two. Wednesday afternoons add academic excursions or speakers.
The named instructor is Dr. Sara Kuwahara, a Cal Poly assistant professor whose research includes bioenergy, environmental microbiology and sustainable agriculture.
Yes. Residential students stay in shared Cal Poly dorm rooms and receive all meals, while commuters attend weekday programming and receive lunch.
Tentative course excursions include a food bank and a local anaerobic-digestion operation producing biogas and compost from green and food waste.
The Cal Poly campus page advertises Continuing Education Units. Summer Springboard also states that program completers receive a certificate and a professor recommendation letter.
Cal Poly dining information lists vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal and common food-allergy options.
Alternatives to Sustainable Energy Course
Compare these related environmental science and STEM programs if you want a different campus, age range or academic emphasis.
Alternatives to Sustainable Energy Course
Environmental science and sustainability study in Cambridge.
Environmental Science
Deadline: Not announced
From £3195
15-17
St Catharine's College, Cambridge, UK
In-person
Best for
Students wanting a Cambridge-based environmental science course.
Modern science methods and questions for younger students.
Natural Sciences
Deadline: Not announced
Cost not listed
11-16
Wimborne
In-person
Best for
Younger students still comparing scientific subjects.
Physics & Astronomy Summer Course
Recently closed
Physics and astronomy with practical problem-solving.
Space & physics
03 Aug 2026
From £6295
14-18
Cambridge
In-person
Best for
Students seeking a more physics-centered summer course.
Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Terra Education
- 2026 HS 2-week Cal Poly Energy for a Sustainable Society V2
- Campus Specific FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- General Information FAQ | Knowledge Base | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Terms & Conditions | Policies & Terms | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Cal Poly | Campus | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Apply Now | Enrollment | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
- Tuition Protection Plan T&C
- Energy for a Sustainable Society | Cal Poly | Summer Springboard - Summer Springboard
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 26 Aug 2026)
Course content reviewed
Session dates checked
Tuition options verified
Eligibility reviewed
Application steps checked
Accommodation details reviewed
Safety information checked
Refund terms reviewed
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