CSM Celebrates Opening of Sustainability Discovery Hub

New interactive space funded by Peninsula Clean Energy aims to teach students and community about clean energy alternatives.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:22pm

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The College of San Mateo (CSM) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 4, 2026 to celebrate the opening of its new Sustainability Discovery Hub. The interactive space, funded by Peninsula Clean Energy, features exhibits created by students across various disciplines to educate visitors about climate change and sustainability solutions like clean energy alternatives.

Why it matters

The Sustainability Discovery Hub represents CSM's commitment to preparing students for careers in the growing clean energy sector and empowering the local community to adopt more sustainable practices. As California continues its push towards renewable energy, this hub provides an engaging way to teach people about the benefits of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The details

The hub includes interactive exhibits built by students in engineering, computer science, media, and marketing. For example, an animation student created a display showing the advantages of switching from gas to electric appliances in homes. Another exhibit features a scale model of downtown San Mateo that allows visitors to 'tap' on buildings to learn how the city utilizes green energy.

  • The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on March 4, 2026.
  • The exhibits will travel to the Skyline and Cañada campuses during Earth Week in April 2026.

The players

Jessica Ho

The SMCCCD utilities sustainability coordinator who had the initial idea for the Sustainability Discovery Hub and has been working on it for the past eight years.

Jimmie La

A CSM and Cañada College animation student who worked on creating the interactive display about the benefits of switching from gas to electric appliances.

Peninsula Clean Energy

The organization that provided funding to create the Sustainability Discovery Hub at the College of San Mateo.

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What they’re saying

“This started with my Master's thesis project, and I've been working on this for the past eight years.”

— Jessica Ho, SMCCCD utilities sustainability coordinator (The Skyline View)

“I worked on the animation that pops up on the screen when the appliances are lit when touched.”

— Jimmie La, Animation student (The Skyline View)

What’s next

The Sustainability Discovery Hub exhibits will travel to the Skyline and Cañada campuses during the Annual Earth Week in April 2026 to reach a wider audience.

The takeaway

The Sustainability Discovery Hub at the College of San Mateo represents a innovative approach to educating students and the local community about clean energy solutions and sustainability. By engaging visitors through interactive exhibits created by a diverse group of students, the hub aims to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in the growing clean energy sector.