NV Energy continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to education and community development through its support of Sierra Nevada Journeys' Classrooms Unleashed program. NV Energy Foundation prioritizes programs that serve Nevada communities most in need in the areas of safety and wellness, education and youth development, and the environment. These core values directly align with our Classrooms Unleashed program. With a $10,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation, the program was able to provide high-quality, hands-on science education to an additional 332 students in Northern Nevada, including 190 students from Title 1 schools. Last year, more than 7,000 students across Northern Nevada and Northern California participated in Classrooms Unleashed. This initiative is specifically designed to bridge educational gaps by offering STEM and outdoor learning opportunities to underrepresented and financially disadvantaged youth.
Classrooms Unleashed is a thoughtfully crafted curriculum that combines classroom instruction with immersive field experiences. Students receive one in-class lesson aligned with state and national science standards, followed by a day-long nature field trip. These field experiences, held in locations like Oxbow Nature Study Area and Galena Creek Regional Park, reinforce classroom concepts by giving students real-world context to explore topics such as ecosystems, environmental changes, and conservation. The program also integrates social-emotional learning and culturally responsive teaching practices, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all participants.
Last fall, Sierra Nevada Journeys launched Classrooms Unleashed 3.0 — a new and improved version of the curriculum. The updated format is streamlined across regions and designed to build knowledge progressively across grade levels. Educators were trained in curriculum delivery, trauma-informed practices, and student-centered learning techniques. As a result, the program has seen enthusiastic feedback from both students and teachers, with students especially enjoying the outdoor learning component.
While the partnership has already made a measurable impact, the potential for deeper collaboration remains. Sierra Nevada Journeys is planning its annual Girls in STEM weekend on June 7 - 8, 2025, and is excited to have NV Energy’s support for this impactful program as well. NV Energy serves not only as a title highlights its ongoing role in shaping future STEM leaders through meaningful, community-centered engagement.
Second grade students become botanists and study the relationship between flowers and pollinators at Crystal Peak Park.