In the first few hours of Tyler Thompson’s internship this summer, she’s learning how elementary school students can be taught to appreciate nature in urban communities.
Across town, Diane Genabe starts her internship by poring over a stack of sketchpads, books, and colorful animal postcards.
Thanks to a federal grant, they’re two of 30 students in the inaugural cohort of West Los Angeles College’s climate internship program, for students who may not be majoring in science but who share an interest in caring for the planet.
By the end of the summer, the program will go so well that the school will plan to offer 100 paid opportunities next year, and demonstrate that climate change can be tackled no matter what career field students might pursue.
Learning through mentorship
Thompson is a psychology major who needs one more semester to complete her coursework at West L.A. College.
She’ll spend the summer with Tree People , a nonprofit that’s planted millions of trees throughout Southern California, in collaboration with local residents.