An exciting partnership between The Dojo at Somernova and Greentown Labs kicked off in 2024 bringing Somerville students from Teen Empowerment and the Mystic Learning Center to the heart of the City’s climate innovation ecosystem, Somernova. This partnership was formed to empower youth with skills and opportunities in clean energy innovation, advance sustainability for the planet by fostering groundbreaking solutions, and strengthen Somerville as a hub for equitable economic and environmental progress. This collaboration with Greentown’s ACCEL (Advancing Climate Tech & Energy Leaders) program, which also included The Better Future Project, connected Somerville youth to the forefront of climate technology while inspiring them to envision their role in creating a sustainable future.
The collaboration began with a guided tour of Greentown Labs, where students explored the cutting-edge work of two notable startups, Cellense and Raptor Maps. Cellense highlighted its efforts to produce ethical beads from natural materials, offering an environmentally conscious alternative for the fashion industry. Raptor showcased their advancements in solar panel technology, paving the way for more efficient renewable energy solutions. By engaging directly with the entrepreneurs behind these innovations, students gained a firsthand understanding of how science, technology, and creativity converge to tackle climate challenges.
Complementing the tour was a presentation from Better Future Project, which introduced students to climate action initiatives and provided tangible pathways to get involved in environmental justice work. “This experience opened my eyes to how many opportunities exist in the climatetech field,” said Leo, a participant from the Mystic Learning Center. “I’m excited to learn more about how I can make a difference.”
The Dojo at Somernova is empowering youth to participate in a greener, more just future. In addition to exploring cutting-edge innovation at Greentown Labs and gaining insights into environmental justice from Better Future Project, students attended the ACT (Alliance for Clean Transition) Gala, where they met Van Jones. Van shared his inspiring vision about the transformative impact of weatherization, highlighting how it advances both economic and environmental justice. As Somernova expands, these efforts will grow even stronger, creating pathways for young people to develop skills, secure meaningful jobs, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet—all rooted in the vibrant community of Somerville.
Building Bridges to the Future
The partnership between The Dojo @ Somernova and Greentown Labs was designed to foster connections between Somerville’s youth and the burgeoning climatetech economy. “At Somernova, we believe that creating opportunities for young people in the innovation economy is vital to our collective success,” said Majic Alphonse. “By bringing these students into the fold, we’re helping to empower the next generation of leaders who will champion both climate and economic justice.”
For many students, the event was an eye-opening experience that expanded their understanding of career possibilities in climate technology. “I didn’t know how many different kinds of jobs there are in climatetech,” shared Tatiana, a participant from Teen Empowerment. “Now, I’m thinking about how I can turn my interest in engineering into something that helps the planet.”
Community members and partners echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of connecting young people to the growing climate workforce. “Greentown Labs startups are not only solving some of the world’s biggest problems—they’re also building the workforce needed to scale these solutions,” noted Erin Silver Wheeler, Director of Member Success at Greentown Labs.
Continued Impact: Personal Pathways from ClimateTech Founders
Somerville Youth toured Greentown Labs, met the founders, and wanted to get involved —now what? Greentown startups are not only developing climatetech solutions, they’re building a climate workforce that is ready to harness the economic opportunities of the energy transition. There’s a place for everyone in climatetech: we just need youth!
Following the initial Greentown tour, The Dojo @ Somernova, Greentown and Ethos Admissions invited Somerville Youth back to the lab to hear personal pathway stories from startup founders and ways to find their purpose and their path in the climatetech industry regardless of their plan after high school. The personal pathways series gathering brought even greater depth to the students’ engagement with climatetech and featured:
- Career Pathways Presentations: Erin Silver- Wheeler Director of Member Success and Rachel Cerato, ACCEL Program manager at Greentown Labs shared insights into the diverse roles within startups and provided practical advice on how students can begin their journeys in the climatetech field.
- Ethos Admissions Workshop: Led by Lani Wilmar,the Founder of Ethos Admissions, this session helped underserved students uncover their potential and explore pathways to impactful careers in climate innovation.
- Founder Engagement and Lab Demo: Students interacted with startup founders and experienced a hands-on lab demonstration, deepening their understanding of the innovative work happening at Greentown Labs.
“Meeting the founders and seeing the lab demo made me realize how much creativity goes into solving climate problems,” said Nyasah, a Somerville High School student. “It was inspiring to see people who started small but are now making a big impact.”
The Personal Pathways Series reinforced the importance of exposing young people to the growing climate workforce and equipping them with the tools to succeed. “It’s amazing to see how these opportunities are sparking curiosity and ambition among the students,” said Lani Wilmar.
A Vision for an Inclusive Future
The partnership between The Dojo at Somernova, Greentown Labs, and Better Future Project exemplifies the transformative power of collaboration. By bridging the gap between Somerville’s youth and the rapidly evolving climatetech industry, this initiative not only inspires the next generation but also ensures that the benefits of innovation are shared equitably within the community. As Somernova continues to grow, its vision of an inclusive, just, and sustainable future becomes ever more tangible — one connection at a time.