Find Your Passion in EE: Olathe West Green Tech Academy Graduate, Chamiru Liyanawaduge

This narrative is part of a collection from professionals and students in the field of environmental education (EE). The collection seeks to highlight some of the ways in which Kansans have grown their love for nature into environmental literacy - leading them to the knowledge, understanding, and skills to become responsible, informed, and passionate environmental stewards. They share their stories hoping to inspire more Kansans to find their passion working in or supporting EE.

Out of the four or five “basic” career choices young kids could choose to dream of - doctor, teacher, firefighter, etc. - I decided by third grade that I wanted to become an astronaut. By my tenth birthday, my father had gifted me a National Geographic telescope. I’d look at the moon and stars with such awe, imagining what life must be like through the other side of the lens.

Throughout middle school, I would continue to entertain the idea of being an astronaut, but I didn’t want to limit myself to just that. I didn’t know if I was brave enough to go through such rigorous physical training. I was- and still am- a twig.

I began exploring different careers: Judge, entrepreneur, accountant, and many, many more. By eighth grade, I would argue with my parents and sister about nearly everything from food to human rights. I was a grade-A chatterbox.

My passion bloomed into an affinity for sustainable systems. By the end of my freshman year, I knew that it was my generation’s responsibility to continue the upward momentum of a sustainability revolution.

My passion bloomed into an affinity for sustainable systems. By the end of my freshman year, I knew that it was my generation’s responsibility to continue the upward momentum of a sustainability revolution.

In the Green Tech Academy program at Olathe West High School, we were encouraged as young adults to explore all aspects of sustainability and energy systems; my initial impression of Green Tech was working with circuits, mixing chemicals in the lab, and getting dirt under my fingernails.

After a failed attempt to create algae biofuel, which included unintentionally growing a mildly brain-damaging strand of cyanobacteria, I knew that STEM might not have been for me. As my sophomore year began to conclude, I felt quite lost as to what my role in the green industry would be.

In class, we were taught about the three pillars of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social. I had a general understanding of what economic and environmental sustainability looked like, but social sustainability had always been some sort of question mark looming over me like a raincloud over my head. I so desperately wanted to know what it looked like in my community.

I began to investigate. In energy class, I spent the entire class period in Mr. Miller’s office, typing away at his computer creating sample lesson plans and waste reduction curriculums. In sustainability class, I explored the OECD Spatial Planning INstruments and the Environment project, applying what I learned about socioeconomically sustainable environmental planning strategies to the suburban sprawl phenomenon present throughout the KC metropolitan area. By my junior year, I knew what social sustainability was: Ensuring the equitable access to food, education, work, and public spaces for the quality of life of all residents in a given community.

By my junior year, I knew what social sustainability was: Ensuring the equitable access to food, education, work, and public spaces for the quality of life of all residents in a given community.

Senior year Green Tech Academy students are required to select a client-connected project or an internship in order to gain experience within the industry that they can put to use on a resume and college applications. My senior year began with many changes, including a new head facilitator for the program, Mrs. Paige Gdanski.

She connected me with Dr. Laura Downey, a light-hearted, very unique individual. She connected me with many different industry professionals between Kansans for Conservation and KACEE itself.

We began work on increasing environmental education in the state of Kansas, and my focus was on increasing access to opportunities such as the ones I had been given for high school change-makers to get their foot in the door to social sustainability pathways.

I had the opportunity to represent Green Tech at the Governor’s Water Conference and Day at the Capitol, as well as numerous other events, where I networked with professionals across various career focuses. Dr. Downey and I would even joke about how many business cards I would get by the end of each event.

I had the opportunity to represent Green Tech at the Governor’s Water Conference and Day at the Capitol, as well as numerous other events, where I networked with professionals across various career focuses. Dr. Downey and I would even joke about how many business cards I would get by the end of each event.

Throughout my internship experiences, I have learned the importance of social sustainability and its integration into current environmental sustainability efforts, especially as it relates to environmental education. Working with KACEE has helped shape my future in endless ways and has instilled in me a commitment to an equitable environmental education for all American students as I begin to plant the seeds of an impactful change-making career.

Working with KACEE has helped shape my future in endless ways and has instilled in me a commitment to an equitable environmental education for all American students as I begin to plant the seeds of an impactful change-making career.

My advice for any high schooler looking to get involved in organizations like KACEE is this: Reach out. Send crazy long-shot emails to the directors at your dream organizations and, more often than not, you’ll get someone willing to work with you. It will take immense dedication to your craft, and they won’t see that at first. You need to show these professionals that you’re one of them.

Chamiru at the 2024 Governor's Conference on the Future of Water in Kansas

My advice for any high schooler looking to get involved in organizations like KACEE is this: Reach out. Send crazy long-shot emails to the directors at your dream organizations and, more often than not, you’ll get someone willing to work with you.

Although I’m not sure I’ll be an astronaut in twenty years, I sure as hell will reach the stars, thanks to KACEE.