Clean Energy, Careers, and Accessory Dwelling Units a Focus at Watertown High Event

During the first part of the program students connected with professionals working across clean energy, housing, planning, and technology to learn

how careers can evolve through different experiences, interests, and opportunities. Speakers shared honest advice about life after high school, emphasizing that success can come through college, the trades, public service, or paths that look completely different than expected. Speakers included: 

• Sarah Cunningham
  Senior Product Manager, Team Product Lean, Takeoff & Estimating Group, Autodesk

  

• Katie Segal
  Senior Director of Offshore Wind, Environmental League of Massachusetts
• Claire Morehouse
  Massachusetts Executive Office, Housing and Livable Communities
• Becca George
  Regional Planner, Housing and Livable Communities
• Meredith Boericke
  Accessory Dwelling Unit Program Director, Massachusetts Housing Partnership
• Beverly Craig
  Program Director, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

The day also featured learning about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), connecting students to real-world challenges and opportunities shaping Massachusetts communities and housing goals. This included an activity where students navigated a full-scale floor plan of an ADU in the gym and learned about sustainable and energy-conservation

measures employed in today’s housing projects. This project was led by educators Jason Welch, Daniel Birch, and Dean Poillucci along with the High Performance Building Innovators Club students. Prizes were awared to teams that were able to combine energy and cost efficiency.

An added treat was provided by Watertown High's Culinary Program students. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of grilled chicken and steak, rice, black beans, guacamole, street corn dip and more.

Thanks to everyone who made this event another impactful part of the MassCEC grant program. In particular, Laura Alderson, Watertown High School's CTE director, who has stewarded this program from the beginning. 

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Posters created by members of the High Performance Building Innovators Club on display at the event:

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