Learn by touring is a model of learning from those people who are currently engaged in a system and organization by physically meeting them in their work environment, listening and asking questions about why they are there and what role they play. The tour aims to emmerse participants into an environment with each site they visit to really grasp the day-to-day situations and interactions people have.

In this approach to plan our tour of the California Energy Sector, we were aiming to create these interactive learning environments by providing a diverse array of organizations around one topic and also, a diverse array of students and young professionals to facilitate an interdisciplinary environment.

The model was started in 2008 from the European Smart Energy Study Tour. Inspired by this experience, four of the members of that tour decided to use the same model "in our own backyard" to learn about the state we live in.

The California Energy Tour has since spawned another group of young people to create and plan the California Water Tour in 2010.