Left to right, Middletown High School students Roshell Dunlap and Brooke Schimansky tour The Geysers geothermal steamfield near Cobb, Calif. Courtesy photo.

COBB, Calif. – Calpine Corp. recently hosted approximately 60 students from Middletown and Kelseyville high schools.

Students from both schools were treated to a tour of The Geysers and spoke with a variety of employees about career opportunities in energy.

The event known as Geothermal Education and Career Day was organized as part of Calpine’s 2011 Community outreach and tour program.

Calpine’s goal is to focus on regional occupational program (ROP) classes at each of the high school because they are known for teaching students skills that help prepare students for the workforce.

Local teachers Mike Jones and Robert Griffith from Kelseyville High and Karen Jones from Middletown High, escorted the students from a variety of ROP classes including welding, computers and agricultural.

Students were able to gather information on a variety of jobs including geologists, engineers, administrative work, mechanics, welders, power plant operators and more.

Each school was taken on a bus tour to The Geysers and a tour of a geothermal power plant lead by Calpine tour guides Josh Wade and Jim Horne.

Students heard from a variety of Geysers employees and asked questions about the educational requirements and responsibilities.

Sonoma County’s Department of Education’s Water and Energy program for Sonoma County high school students participated that day and although only Kelseyville and Middletown participated in this year’s event, Calpine will host similar events in 2012 for participation by the other Lake County school districts.

That day, Calpine also sponsored 80 fourth grade students from Lower Lake Elementary school. That tour, led by Calpine’s Josh Wade and Evelyn Hansen, toured the West Ford Flat power plant.

Tammy Serpa works with the Lake County Office of Education.