An Initiative of Shekinah Farms Incorporated

Powering Forward: Youth Climate Workforce Pathways

A 6-week hybrid program equipping underserved high school students in Pennsylvania and Delaware with experiential STEM education, renewable energy kits, and industry mentorship to access climate tech careers.

The Problem

Underserved Students Lack Climate Career Exposure

Underserved students in PA and DE lack exposure to renewable energy education and clear career pathways, while the climate workforce faces critical talent shortages and rural communities need local climate resilience solutions.

Limited Renewable Energy Education

Rural high school students have minimal exposure to foundational knowledge in renewable energy, water systems, climate science, and sustainable agriculture. Without hands-on experience, these pathways remain abstract and inaccessible.

Workforce Shortage in Climate Tech

The clean energy transition requires millions of new workers. Yet 70% of energy employers report difficulty hiring qualified talent. We must build diverse pipelines starting in high school.

Missing Industry Connections

Students need mentorship from industry professionals and local businesses to understand how classroom STEM translates to family-sustaining careers in solar, wind, ag tech, and green infrastructure.

Local Climate Vulnerability

Rural communities face direct climate impacts to agriculture and energy systems. Training local youth creates problem-solvers who strengthen community resilience from within.

Our Model

Hybrid Learn-Design-Build Program

Powering Forward is a 6-week hybrid program combining climate education, hands-on renewable energy kits, industry mentorship, and team-based innovation projects.

LEARN

→

DESIGN

→

BUILD

LEARN

Students gain foundational knowledge in renewable energy, water systems, climate science, and sustainable agriculture through expert-led instruction and site-based learning at schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community centers.

DESIGN

Working in teams, students identify local climate challenges and design innovative solutions like solar-powered irrigation systems. Industry professionals and local businesses serve as mentors throughout the design process.

BUILD

Students construct and test working prototypes using hands-on renewable energy kits. They present solutions to community stakeholders, building practical STEM skills and career awareness simultaneously.

Pilot Program Impact

Measurable Outcomes for Students & Communities

Our logic model tracks concrete outputs and outcomes to build a diverse pipeline of young professionals in renewable energy and climate tech.

Students Trained

Cohorts of 10-15 students per 6-week program cycle

Student Projects

Team-based prototypes like solar irrigation systems

In-Kind Grant

$ 0 K

Cloud monitoring platform from The Gadfly Project

Pilot Funding Need

$ 0 K

Renewable energy kits, instruction & coordination

Theory of Change

From Education to Climate Workforce

Our evidence-based pathway creates long-term impact for students and communities.

Problem

Underserved students lack exposure to renewable energy education and clear career pathways into the climate workforce.

Intervention

Climate education + hands-on renewable energy kits + industry mentorship + student innovation projects delivered over 6 weeks.

Outcomes

Students gain foundational knowledge, practical STEM skills, and awareness of climate careers. They pursue STEM education and seek internships/training.

Long-Term Impact

Diverse pipeline of young professionals entering renewable energy and climate tech while strengthening community resilience.

Partners

Community-Based Collaboration

We partner with schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers, industry professionals, and local businesses to deliver high-impact experiential learning.

Schools & Community Sites

High schools, Boys & Girls Clubs, and community centers provide site-based learning environments. We deliver programming that complements existing STEM curricula and creates new pathways to postsecondary opportunities.

Industry Mentors & Businesses

Local professionals from solar, ag tech, and green infrastructure companies mentor student teams, provide technical guidance on projects, and create exposure to real career pathways in the climate economy.

Why Now

The Urgent Case for Investment

Shekinah Farms Incorporated operates at the intersection of regenerative agriculture, climate innovation, and experiential STEM education. With lean staffing and strong partnerships, your investment has direct impact.

$10,000 Pilot Funding Request

Funds student renewable energy kits, instructional delivery, and program coordination for our 6-week pilot serving 20 students and generating 20 team innovation projects.

Lean, High-Impact Organization

0 full-time staff, 1 part-time/contract, and a network of volunteers means your dollars go directly to student kits, instruction, and coordination—not overhead.

$55K In-Kind Platform Secured

The Gadfly Project provides a cloud-based monitoring platform enabling students to track real-world performance of their renewable energy prototypes.

Ready to Launch

Curriculum, partner sites, and mentor network are in place. Your $10K investment activates the pilot and unlocks pathways for 20 underserved students immediately.

Scalable Model

Our 6-week Learn-Design-Build model is designed for replication across rural schools and community sites throughout PA and DE.

Fund Our $10,000 Pilot

Help us launch Powering Forward. Your investment provides renewable energy kits, expert instruction, and coordination to train 20 students and build 20 climate innovation projects in underserved communities.