Pupils develop eco-friendly construction abilities and fabricate compact structures
In a community-focused green building project in Minnesota, high school students from Cloquet and Wrenshall are learning the ropes of sustainable building practices. This partnership involves Just Housing, the University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), and the local high schools themselves.
At the heart of this initiative is the Just Housing project, which has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for change since its inception in 2020. Led by Sarah Clauss, an AmeriCorps Climate Impact Corps member serving with Northeast RSDP, the project aims to educate students on sustainable building practices, reduce environmental impacts, and support their economic mobility by opening career pathways in the green building and clean energy sectors.
The students are helping to build two tiny, high-performance buildings, each designed with solar panels, battery-powered electrical systems, high-efficiency insulation, and ventilation systems. These energy-efficient structures will be donated to local causes, with one serving as a study space for the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, and the other as a multi-purpose space for single mothers supported by Divine Konnections Incorporated.
The Green Design Building Capstone, launched as part of this project, invites shop classes from the participating schools to construct these tiny, energy-efficient buildings, working alongside teachers, local carpenters, and Northeast RSDP. Local professionals are also invited to visit the class, providing real-world guidance and mentorship.
The CERTs partnership is a natural fit for CERTs support and locally identified needs in northeastern Minnesota. With CERTs' backing, Just Housing led a multi-layered outreach project to share information about green building, clean energy, and related workforce opportunities.
Sarah Clauss, who has a background in environmental science and water systems, finds the project to be one of the most meaningful experiences during her AmeriCorps service. She learned the technical content alongside the students and saw how the curriculum and the people behind it made a lasting impression.
Rachel Wagner and Leah Karmaker at Just Housing are deeply committed to their local community and ensuring that green building isn't just about climate-smart design, but also about empowering young people and creating stronger, more connected places.
As the project continues, a new batch of students is set to learn from the buildings and add the finishing touches before they are donated in the fall. Clauss, who will be leaving her AmeriCorps service and returning to her roots in Vermont for a nature-based early childhood education role, found it inspiring to see the amount of local work happening in the region, with many people showing up with passion and drive.
This project is more than just a blend of climate education and youth empowerment; it's a testament to the power of community partnerships in driving sustainable change.
[1] University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) [5] Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
- This project, led by Sarah Clauss from the University of Minnesota Extension’s Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP), is integrating science and lifestyle by teaching high school students about sustainable building, with the goal of spurring economic development through career opportunities in green building and clean energy sectors.
- The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) partnership is supporting the initiative by sharing information about green building, clean energy, and related workforce opportunities, fostering education-and-self-development within the community.