In an effort to get high school students excited about college and public policy, USC Schwarzenegger Institute Legislative Outreach Assistant, Francisca Martinez visited her alma mater, Orange Glen High School, in Escondido, CA. Francisca was a guest speaker at two AP Government and Politics classes where she talked to students about working with Senator Fran Pavley on the Institute's Digital Environmental Legislative Handbook.
Her visit fit in perfectly with the class curriculum covering public policy and bureaucracy. Francisca used AB 32 and the bipartisan effort it took to pass this groundbreaking law as a case study for explaining the legislative process. She also used the discussion to talk about the agencies charged with implementing AB 32, specifically the California Air Resources Board. Students were very engaged in the conversation and clearly enjoyed learning about one of California’s most important environmental laws.
“It was so encouraging to see students engaged in environmental issues, public policy, and college. The connection was even more special since it was my former high school,” said Francisca.
Francisca’s visit ties in several of the priorities the USC Schwarzenegger Institute proudly champions: education, environment, public policy and student engagement.