Happening now at Mar Vista High School

Youth Climate Advisors

High school students bridging the gap between community engagement and climate science.

See editions ↓ Bring it to your school →
About the program
What is YCA?

The students are invited to engage with atmospheric science using particle counters, gather qualitative data with photovoice tools, and learn advocacy strategies to spread their message.

YCA students working with particle counters Particle counters in school
How it works
Three pillars of the program
01
Atmospheric science
Students learn to use Particulate Matter (PM) air sensors to measure and understand the air quality in their communities, collecting real data from their own neighborhoods.
02
Qualitative research
Using surveys, photovoice and/or oral history methodology, students document the lived experience of pollution in their city and demonstrate its daily impact on their lives.
03
Advocacy and communication
Students learn strategies to spread their message, advising the Institute's scientists on what aspects of the pollution crisis to further investigate.
Program editions
YCA through the years

Each year, a new cohort of students from schools in the southern San Diego region joins the program.

YCA 2025 final summit
2025 Edition

Mar Vista High School, Imperial Beach

Students used PM air sensors and oral history methodology to demonstrate the impact of Tijuana River pollution in their city. Their lived experience was used to advise the Institute's scientists.

YCA 2025 portal: oral histories & data → View their final posters (PDF) →
YCA 2024 students
2024 Edition

Inaugural cohort

The first group of Youth Climate Advisors launched the program, establishing the model of student-led air quality research and community advocacy.

View their final posters (PDF) → Read their op-ed on The Voice of San Diego →
Student film

Imperial Beach: Change We Need

Directed by student Navya Arora and featuring other YCA students, this film captures the reality of living with pollution from the Tijuana River and the young voices pushing for change.

YCA 2025 in photos
Students in action
YCA students during field work YCA program session
Get involved
Bring the project to your school

Are you a teacher, school administrator, or community leader interested in bringing the Youth Climate Advisors program to your school? We'd love to hear from you.

Email us → Contact page

Reach us at airborne@ucsd.edu