Upcoming classes
Make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) come alive for you and your students with free, professional workshops that include hands-on activities and materials. Please register at least one week prior to the class.
Thursday, October 5, 4 - 5 PM
Curious how to connect literacy to renewable energy? This activity connects reading, literacy and solar energy using UV beads and A Color of His Own book by Leo Leonni and the supplies to build a UV chameleon.
Tuesday, October 10, 5 - 6:30 PM
(In-person)
Learn how to celebrate Halloween with science in this spooktacular event. Come as you are or dress up as your favorite Halloween character while you explore the transformation of energy using dry ice. Other spooky, science activities will be demonstrated too.
Tuesday, October 17, 4 - 5 PM
(Virtual)
Learn the basics of harnessing energy from the sun using photovoltaics (solar panels). During this session, participants will receive an introduction into solar, experience photovoltaics (PV) ping pong virtual overview and, in this hands-on experience, review variables for solar deployment using mini-panels. This workshops is presented by the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project.
Celebrate wind energy and the power of flight with family fun STEM activities at the Aerospace Museum of California.
January - April 2023
YES is a three-day climate and sustainability summit for junior and senior students at high schools in Sacramento county.
Join SMUD at the Historic Folsom Powerhouse for a family fun day of science activities, exhibits, tours and more.
Working together in teams, students build a solar race car and compete for fastest car, best design, best engineering and more.
An exciting two days of teamwork, competition and discovery takes place every year at our Rancho Seco Recreational Area.
Online learning
Explore our library of standards-based lesson plans, hands-on activity guides, educational animated videos, and other STEAM related content.
Classroom visits
We offer free classroom visits, including hands-on materials, so your students can build, discover and learn.
We offer multiple lessons for you to choose from:
- Each lesson includes a fun, interactive self-paced online activity which can be assigned as class time or homework.
- Our staff will join your class to lead your students through an engaging live exploration of your energy and/or sustainability topic.
- We’ll send project materials for your students to reinforce learning objectives.
- We’ll provide worksheets to accompany each lesson.
- Lessons available for all grade levels and target NGSS standards.
To sign up for a free lesson email ETCmail@smud.org.
Parent resources for children
Looking for ways to keep kids engaged while learning at home?
Access age-appropriate, standards-based lessons from SMUD and the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED).
Each lesson includes a short reading, worksheet and additional learning resources. View lessons for:
Powering education
We're proud to light your homes, your businesses and the streets around your neighborhood. And because we're community-owned and not-for-profit, we keep you at the heart of all we do, like supporting local schools with fun, hands-on science education.
Stay safe around electricity
Free classroom resources make teaching electricity safety easy. Learn more.
Questions? Contact us at 1-916-732-6738 or etcmail@smud.org