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Free water, energy and sustainability education
Riverside Public Utilities Education Programs
For more than 30 years, Riverside Public Utilities has been honored to partner with local school communities, educators and students to provide FREE, high-quality, standards-based water, energy and sustainability education.
Since 1995, our educational outreach teams have taught nearly 3,500 classes to more than 300,000 students. Our objectives are not only to provide high-quality, hands-on science education, but to empower students to make a difference in their homes, schools and communities with sustainable conservation actions.
As a program funded through Public Benefits Funds, all classes are 100% free to public, private and charter schools in the Riverside Public Utilities Service Area. All science supplies are provided by RPU and delivered to school sites for live virtual classes.
For more information on the programs we currently offer in the Riverside Public Utilities Service Area, or to schedule, follow the links for your area of interest. To discuss customized education topics, contact Sharon at [email protected] or Damaris at [email protected].
Explore programs and resources
TK-6 Programs
Explore grade-based elementary programs designed to make science, conservation and utility concepts more hands-on, memorable and relevant for students.
Community Helpers - Story of a Lineworker
For information on scheduling a Community Helpers visit from some of our big trucks and linemen, contact Sharon.
Email Sharon Gutierrez
Waterwise Garden Field Trip
This field trip experience is coming soon.
More details will be added when the field trip is available.
Water Pollution Solutions
Water Pollution Solutions is a live virtual class in which students learn about our Santa Ana River Watershed. Students investigate ways to repurpose and recycle plastics as they construct water bottle fairy gardens while learning about the concepts of human impacts on Earth’s systems.
Email Damaris Velez
Electricity, Circuits and Motors
Electricity, Circuits and Motors is a series of four, 30-minute live virtual classes. As students learn the atomic nature of electricity, they build simple, series and parallel circuits, test materials for conductivity, and experience the connection between magnetic force and electric force when they build their own magnetic motor. Conclusions about conservation are made as students understand how large-scale power is generated.
Email Sharon Gutierrez
Water Cycle, Water Source to Tap
Water Cycle, Water Source to Tap is a series of three, 30-minute live virtual classes covering the science of the water cycle. Students construct their own Water Cycle in a Jar as they research how water moves through Earth’s systems and understand that all water is recycled water, in need of conservation.
Email Damaris Velez
Coming Soon
Additional 6th grade programming is in development.
Check back for future program details and scheduling information.
Middle School
STEM Fundamentals is designed for rising 8th and 9th grade students who want a more immersive summer learning experience tied to real community challenges.
STEM Fundamentals
STEM Fundamentals is a 3-day summer learning lab hosted in July for rising 8th and 9th grade students. In this program, students participate in three full days of in-person instruction.
Using the Turf Replacement Program as a vehicle to understand outdoor water use and conservation issues, students work in teams to develop a design proposal for a local Riverside park. As they collaborate and communicate on their projects, they learn the basics of city planning, land use and landscape architecture, and use advanced math skills to complete their designs.
Each team presents its proposal on the final day for a chance to win prize money.
- When: 3rd week of July
- Where: Bourns, Inc., 1200 Columbia Ave, Riverside, CA 92507
- Who: Rising 8th and 9th grade students
For additional program details or to be put on the program interest list for the coming summer, contact Damaris.
Email Damaris Velez
High School
STEM Public Utilities Learning Lab gives high school students a hands-on view of the utility industry, from critical infrastructure and design thinking to skilled trades and professional careers.
STEM Public Utilities Learning Lab (STEM PULL)
Throughout the first week of July, STEM Public Utilities Learning Lab (STEM PULL) provides high school students with a weeklong, in-person experience applying science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the many aspects of the utility industry.
Participants in this program experience facilities tours, learn about critical infrastructure, and participate in workshops with professionals and city officials, all while working on a design challenge with teammates. Students get hands-on experience in skilled trade careers and degreed careers alike.
As students work on their design challenge, they learn collaboration, communication and diplomacy skills. On the final day, teams present their design challenge projects for a chance to win prize money.
For program details or to be put on the program interest list for the coming summer, contact Damaris.
Email Damaris Velez
Career Days
RPU partners with schools across the service area to create career experiences that can be adapted to each school site’s needs, audience and format.
Career Fairs, Career Days and Classroom Experiences
Riverside Public Utilities Educational Outreach Team works with schools in our service area to provide career fairs, career days and experiences at multiple grade levels. Since each school site has its own unique style of presenting careers, we make every effort to develop and schedule programs that meet specific needs.
Email Sharon Gutierrez
Community Education Events
Beyond classrooms, RPU brings STEM learning into libraries and large regional events that connect students, families, educators and industry partners.
Family STEAM Days
In partnership with Riverside Public Library Systems, we offer Family STEAM Day at the library in February, March, May, August, September, October, November and December. Each month, we visit a different branch with activities and projects participants can do with the help of their families and our staff.
From paper circuits to watershed tables, magnet activities to light-up ornaments, we bring something new each month.
STEP Conference
Started more than 20 years ago, the Science Technology Education Partnership Conference was created to connect the education community with local industries, and give educators and students a better idea of how STEM topics taught in school relate to specific careers.
Each October, our education team presents educational activities at STEP Con. to over 2,000 students in grades 4-12 throughout our region.
If your school is interested in attending this conference at the Bourns, Inc. office here in Riverside, contact Damaris.
Email Damaris Velez
Student/Teacher Resources
Use these supplemental materials to extend learning before, during and after classroom or community-based education programs.
Interactive Resources
Downloads
- Student Energy Audit - Coming Soon
- Water Cycle Flip Book PDF