Cal Poly to Participate in Focus the Nation Teach-In Feb. 3-5

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly will join hundreds of universities around the country Feb. 5 in Focus the Nation: Building a Sustainable Economy, what is expected to be the largest teach-in in U.S. history.

At Cal Poly, Focus the Nation will include workshops, a job fair and other showcases Feb. 3-5.

Focus the Nation aims to engage students, faculty, staff, community members and elected officials in a discussion about solutions to help fix the economy and climate. The event is planned for early February to send a message from across the country to President Obama and the new Congress during their first 100 days that the U.S. should take strong, decisive action to invest in climate change solutions that will strengthen and rebuild our economy.

Similar to last year’s event, Focus the Nation will be held simultaneously at hundreds of other universities across the country.

At Cal Poly, the day-long teach-in will feature presentations and panel discussions by two dozen faculty, staff and private-sector experts on topics including sustainable business models, green jobs, climate justice, policy, appropriate technologies and more.

In addition to referring students to these presentations, numerous faculty members will devote their day’s classes to climate change solutions relevant to the subject matter of their courses.

Additional Focus the Nation events include a Green Job Fair and Trade Show and a Sustainability Showcase on Feb. 3. The showcase will highlight creative and innovative sustainability projects of Cal Poly students, faculty and staff. And students will lead sustainability workshops on campus Feb. 4

All events are free and open to the public. For more information about the local events visit: www.focusthenationslo.com.

For information about the national movement, visit: www.nationalteachin.org.

Focus the Nation: Building a Sustainable Economy is being organized at Cal Poly by the

Empower Poly Coalition, the coalition of sustainability-related clubs and organizations on campus. For more about the coalition, visit http://empowerpoly.calpoly.edu/.

Cal Poly Focus the Nation Schedule of Events

Tuesday, Feb. 3
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Green Job Fair and Trade Show
5 to 7 p.m. – Sustainable Project Showcase

Wednesday, Feb. 4
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Student-Led Sustainability Workshops

Thursday, Feb. 5
9:10 to 10 a.m. – Appropriate Technology
10:10-11 a.m. – The Culture of Sustainability
11:10 a.m. to noon – DJ and Club Fair in the UU Plaza
12:10-1 p.m. – Climate Justice
1:10-2 p.m. – Exploring Sustainable Business Models
2:10-3 p.m. – Innovation at Cal Poly
3:10-4 p.m. – Green Jobs
4:10-5 p.m. – Policies for a Sustainable Future

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