Climate change isn't just a cause. It's an engineering problem.
Students already know the power of protests, petitions, and policy. Watt Workshops Summer Camp adds the missing half: the science and engineering behind real climate solutions. Over five days, they'll learn how engineers produce the fresh water we drink every day, mitigate the effects of our overheating planet, and clean our grid to reduce fossil fuel pollution. Finally, they'll put what they've learned to the test by designing a solution to a real-life environmental engineering problem.
Build · Test · ImproveReal engineering toolsSolve a real climate problemPresent your own solution
Who
Grades 7-10
When
5 days · 2 hrs/day
Group
Capped at 8 students
Bring
Laptop + pen
The week at Watt
Five days from theory to application to beyond.
Mon1
What is environmental engineering?
Figure out how and why climate solutions are built and the problems they solve. Then, dive into a debate about the merits of fossil fuels.
Tue2
Water, heat, and your voice
Explore how we move, clean, and cool, the core of water and heat engineering. In the afternoon, sharpen your public-speaking and policy skills so your ideas actually land.
Wed3
Clean energy solutions
Investigate solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biofuel through real case studies from around the globe. Then draw your Scenario Challenge and start your investigation.
Thu4
Research and build
A fast crash course in how to research like a pro, then a full work session to dig into your scenario and design your solution poster.
Fri5
Present and celebrate
Present your Scenario Solution poster to the group, then close out by exploring next steps such as science fairs, peer-reviewed publications, and real scientific conferences.
What you'll walk away with
A solution poster you present
A real, portfolio-worthy project you research, design, and defend in front of the group.
Hands-on engineering skills
Work with real environmental tools and the Define-Measure-Build-Test-Improve design loop.
Confidence speaking up
Practice public speaking and persuasion so you can pitch ideas and advocate clearly.
A launchpad for science fairs
Leave with a project and the know-how to carry it into competitions and beyond.
What teachers said
Feedback from the July 2026 camp, in the reviewer's own words.
One thing you liked about Watt Workshops
“Extremely well organized. You did your research well. The slides were seamless and easy to follow.”
One new thing you learned during Watt Workshops
“(Not what you were intending, but) I learned that even shy students can do a pretty decent job with public presentations in spite of no public speaking experience. All 5 scored 6 or higher, which is pretty impressive.”
Mr. GMath Olympiads teacher, City of Cupertino5/5Overall rating
Field notes
Dispatches from the workshops: what students built, and what we learned running them.
Blue Leaf Labs