Weeklong STEM programs give students the opportunity to explore renewable energy, electricity and real-world sustainability challenges
NEW YORK, NY — October 7, 2026 — Students in Brooklyn and Syracuse spent a week exploring the science behind renewable energy and developing solutions to real-world energy challenges through hands-on STEM lessons designed and led by environmental education nonprofit Solar One. Funded by grants from National Grid the programs were offered free of charge to participating students and hosted by Syracuse’s Onondaga Community College and the Greenpoint YMCA.
The energy and sustainability camps introduced rising fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade students to concepts in electricity, solar power, energy storage and energy efficiency. The programs were curated by Solar One’s Green Design Lab team, which focuses on K-12 STEM education, in order to make learning interactive and accessible while helping students understand how energy technologies affect their own communities today.
Throughout the “Energy Academy” lessons, campers worked together on experiments and projects that included building electrical circuits, using solar panels to generate electricity from sunlight, investigating how factors such as shading and panel angles affect solar energy production, and exploring different energy sources for specific applications.
The students also built solar-powered model houses and cars, designed and tested efficient wind turbines, and created batteries using everyday household materials such as aluminum foil and paper towels. Students in Brooklyn also had the opportunity to tour the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, learning firsthand how wastewater in their community is treated and used to make energy through an engaging presentation led by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
All campers had the opportunity to showcase their projects to family and friends during their culminating events and graduation. Both energy camps also featured the BioBus, an all-electric mobile science laboratory presented by National Grid that provided an opportunity to explore science through microscopes and immersive screen setups.
“Energy is where the future gets decided, and it connects climate, jobs, innovation, and the way families live day to day. Our investment in the Energy Academy reflects a belief that National Grid’s role in these communities goes beyond the infrastructure we operate. We’re here every day, and we want young people to know that the industry powering their neighborhood is one they can help lead. ” said Favio Germán, Director of Community Engagement and Investment at National Grid.
“When students have access to STEM and sustainability education that is place-based and interactive, these learning experiences become memorable and impactful. Our Solar One Green Design Lab educators are experts on making our classes informational and entertaining, while emphasizing the importance of energy usage for their families today. By providing access and tools to explore practices that are good for people and planet, our team is preparing our students for the energy future where they can be leaders and engineers of innovative solutions,” said Steve Levin, CEO at education nonprofit Solar One.
“What I love about this camp is watching curiosity turn into care. When students get hands-on with sustainability, building, testing, problem-solving, they start to see how connected we all are to our environment and to each other. That’s where empathy comes from, and it’s a mindset they’ll carry with them into whatever they do next.” said Valery Gonzalez, STEM Program Manager at Solar One.
“Onondaga Community College was proud to partner with the National Grid Foundation, the YMCA, and Solar One to give young learners the opportunity to discover the possibilities of STEM through hands-on experiences on our campus. These are the kinds of transformative learning experiences that spark curiosity, build confidence, and show students that they have the ability to be part of the solution to some of the world’s most important challenges. We are proud to help inspire the next generation of innovators, researchers, and problem-solvers who will shape a more sustainable future,” said Onondaga Community College President Dr. Warren M. Hilton.
“What makes programs like this so meaningful is that students aren’t just learning about energy; they’re getting the chance to build, experiment, ask questions and see themselves as part of the solution. At the Y, we want young people to have opportunities to explore their interests, discover what they’re capable of and understand how they can make a difference in their own community. Bringing hands-on sustainability education to our students in Greenpoint helps them connect what they’re learning today to the world they will help shape tomorrow,” said Kendall Charter, Exec. Director, Greenpoint YMCA.
The programs reflect a broader effort to connect students with STEM and environmental education outside the traditional classroom and encourage them to see themselves as problem-solvers and innovators.
About Nonprofit Solar One
Solar One is NYC’s leading sustainability education and renewable energy nonprofit with innovative programs in K-12 STEM education, green workforce training, solar energy technical assistance, eco-park stewardship and community events at NYC’s first native plant park, Stuyvesant Cove Park, and the Solar One Environmental Education Center. Solar One’s K-12 STEM education program, Green Design Lab (GDL), promotes experiential learning through science, technology and design. GDL classes and field trips increase environmental knowledge about energy, water, materials science, and food through hands-on real world experience, supporting the development of creative thinking and problem solving skills that turn students into advocates for sustainability in their schools and communities. Learn more about our mission and programs at solar1.org, on Instagram at @solaronenyc.
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our venture capital and corporate innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are accelerating the future of energy and helping new technologies reach critical scale faster. For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.
About OCC
Onondaga Community College, Central New York’s partner in education for success, is a State University of New York (SUNY) college located in Syracuse, New York. OCC provides affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions, launch rewarding careers, and make a difference in their communities. Recognized nationally for student success, innovation, and service, OCC partners with leading employers, including Micron Technology and Amazon, to help meet the region’s workforce needs while creating life-changing opportunities for students. Beyond the classroom, students excel through one of the nation’s premier community college athletics programs, with OCC’s 20 teams earning 17 national championships, and through nationally recognized leadership opportunities, including an award-winning Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Learn more at www.sunyocc.edu.
About YMCA of Greater New York
For more than 170 years, the YMCA of Greater New York has been where New Yorkers find their purpose, their people, and their place. As New York City’s leading nonprofit advancing individual and community health and well-being for all, the Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by providing access and opportunities for all to learn, grow, and thrive. We provide a place to play, to be healthy, and to give back. We give parents childcare, young adults job training, seniors a way to connect, and children a safe place to go. By bringing people together from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y improves overall health and well-being, ignites youth empowerment, and connects and supports diverse communities across New York City. Follow the Y on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ymcanyc.
