In honor of Earth Day, 200 sixth-grade students from Encinitas Union, Del Mar Union, San Ysidro, and National school districts gathered on April 22 at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center for the inaugural United Nations Global Goals Earth Day Summit.
The event served as a powerful showcase of student leadership, meaningful collaboration across districts, and the inspiring potential of young voices leading conversations about global challenges.
The hands-on event was the result of a collaboration that began through the Classroom of the Future Foundation’s “Supe Tank” — a program where San Diego County superintendents pitch innovative ideas to education and industry leaders to foster impactful partnerships that benefit students and communities alike.
The UN Global Goals Earth Day Summit was developed by district superintendents Holly McClurg (Del Mar Union), Andrée Grey (Encinitas Union), Leighangela Brady (National) and Gina Potter (San Ysidro). The four superintendents came together to present a shared goal at the CFF Supe Tank: to empower students to explore global issues and lead conversations around United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Their presentation pitch resulted in local organizations sponsoring all costs of the event venue, transportation and meals. Organizers noted the support of sponsors Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, North Island Credit Union, Stemscopes, National University, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, North San Diego Business Chamber and the Classroom of the Future Foundation.
In preparation, each district selected 50 sixth-grade students to dive deeply into one assigned UN development goal. Del Mar students explored Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Encinitas students focused on Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), National School District students tackled Climate Action (SDG 13), and San Ysidro students examined Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).
Over several months, students researched challenges, crafted solutions, and prepared presentations and interactive exhibits. At the summit, they led roundtable discussions, engaged with peers from other districts, and applied their learning to real-world contexts — emerging as skilled communicators, innovative thinkers, and civic-minded problem-solvers.
“This summit was an extraordinary example of what’s possible when school districts come together with a shared purpose,” Encinitas Union School District Superintendent Andrée Grey said. “Our sixth graders not only deepened their understanding of global challenges, they demonstrated that when students engage with topics such as sustainability, they can become powerful voices for a better future.”
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