Looking to host a summit of your own? No matter where you’re located in the world, our Youth Climate Summit is a replicable, scalable model that any organization can base their own summit off of. To get you started, we’ve compiled a helpful Youth Climate Summit toolkit and appendix for you to download and start planning your own climate summit with. And if you need any help, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re always here to support you along the way as we change the world together.
Host Your Own Youth Climate Summit
Watch the above informational webinar to learn how to host a Youth Climate Summit and engage high school students in a dialogue on Climate Change!
The Association for Science Technology Centers (ASTC) and The Wild Center have teamed up to share The Wild Center's successful Youth Climate Summit format designed to engage high school students in climate literacy, through meaningful dialogue and action planning on climate change. The webinar provides an overview of the Youth Climate Summit concept, impacts and outcomes for schools and students, and the planning resources available for free through our Youth Climate Summit Toolkit. Project Director Jen Kretser, science teacher Tammy Morgan, along with two summit students – Erin Weaver and Meadow Hackett – shared their experiences.
Encouraged by US government leaders and interest by other science centers, our collective goal is to share this convening program format at no cost and support the development of at least 10 Youth Climate Summits across the international science museum community in 2015. We will offer all the organizational tools you will need along with connections to scientific experts in your region.
Climate literacy education continues to be an urgent issue and this program format allows for informal science institutions such as science centers, zoos, aquariums and non-profits to join in the international effort. Youth Climate Summits have been found to be powerful vehicles for inspiration, learning, community engagement and youth leadership development. Climate literacy with a focus on local climate impacts and solutions is a key component of the Youth Climate Summit. The project-based learning surrounding the creation of a unique, student driven, sustainability and Climate Action Plan promotes leadership skills applicable and the tools necessary for a 21st Century workforce. This effort was highlighted as a commitment in support of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy’s Climate Education and Literacy Initiative, with the goal of connecting American students and citizens with the best-available, science-based information about climate change. The meeting was hosted by the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in support of their efforts to support Climate and Energy Literacy.