Summer Institute for Climate Change Education (15)
The Will Steger Foundation’s Summer Institute for Climate Change Education is an annual professional development workshop held every August for educators and community members on climate change. Institute sessions include climate change experts, professional educators and educational experts, community resource professionals, curriculum resources and tools for action. Past speakers have included NASA’s top climate scientists, Dr. Jim Hansen, New York Times reporter Andrew Revkin, Inuit leader, Theo Ikummaq and author Bill McKibben. Partners include: St. Paul Public Schools, National Education Association and Valley Natural Foods. Institutes have been held at the School of Environmental Studies, Apple Valley, MN: Science Museum of Minnesota; University of Minnesota Continuing Education Conference Center.
Investigate Minnesota’s Changing Climate at the 7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Written by Education
August 7 and 8, 2012 at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN
Apply Now To Attend
The Will Steger Foundation’s Summer Institute for Climate Change Education will enrich your teaching of climate change and help you bring climate literacy to your educational setting.
The 2012 Summer Institute will feature keynote speaker Dr. John Abraham from the University of St. Thomas. Dr. Abraham will share his climate science expertise to provide educators with an overview of fundamental climate science concepts.
What past Summer Institute attendees are saying:
"It was one of the best, most useful workshops I have been to in a long time.”
“I was engaged, the information was clear and logical.”
“I can use some portion of every session I attended in my classroom, which makes this a success for me.”
Grades 3-12 formal and informal educators will receive training on and a copy of our revised, interdisciplinary and standards-based Minnesota’s Changing Climate curriculum and online classroom. Those who have already received this training will have the opportunity to attend more in-depth sessions and learn about new activities to include in their teaching.
Participants will be able to attend a variety of breakout sessions including sessions focused on climate change basics and outdoor classroom skills. In addition participants will hear from educators who have piloted and adapted this curriculum during the 2011-2012 school year. Mileage and accommodations are available for those traveling over 150 miles round-trip within Minnesota.
Join us the evening before the Summer Institute, August 6, for a free public forum with Dr. Eugenie Scott and Will Steger. Dr. Eugenie Scott, is the Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE). The event will take place at 7pm in the Cowles Auditorium at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Watch the video below for a recap of last summer’s Institute or review last summer’s agenda here.
There is a nonrefundable $10 participation fee for the 2012 Summer Institute to cover participant meals for the 2 days and composting fees.
Please contact Ann Benson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions.
7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
Written by Education
Investigate Minnesota’s Changing Climate at the Will Steger Foundation’s 7th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education
August 7 and 8, 2012 at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN
Learn More...
On August 11 and 12, the Will Steger Foundation hosted a very successful 6th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education. The goals of this year’s Institute were to train educators on our new Minnesota’s Changing Climate curriculum and online classroom and provide supporting information and resources to enhance the use of the curriculum.
Summer Institute 2011 - Benefits of Participation
Written by EducationEngaging Students in Environmental Stewardship Through Adventure Learning
In May 2010, Minnesota’s Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) allocated $250,000 to the Will Steger Foundation’s project, Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship through Adventure Learning, to support the development of a new curriculum, teacher training, online learning and collaboration with schools. The overarching goal of the project is to build awareness and interest in Minnesota’s natural environment and the impact of climate change, and to provide educators and students with the tools necessary for active and life-long stewardship.
All grade 3-12 classrooms and homeschool cooperative or families are invited to participate in this exciting project during the 2011-2012 school year! Please Join us as a Participating or Explorer Classroom!
Benefits of Participating in Minnesota's Changing Climate
Participating classrooms and educators will receive:
Tuition for one educator to attend the 2011 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education where curriculum training will be provided. Summer Institute 2011 will be at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN August 11-12.- A copy of Minnesota’s Changing Climate five lesson unit, aligned to Minnesota State Standards and focused on:
- building awareness and interest in Minnesota’s natural environment and the impact of climate change
- development of skills useful in exploring the natural environment
- development of a environmental stewardship project
- Access to an online classroom that includes information and activities correlated to Minnesota’s Changing Climate Curriculum, as well as opportunities for statewide peer to peer interaction.
- Will Steger Foundation staff support throughout the year.
- The opportunity for students and classrooms to showcase the outcomes of their participation in a fair held in the spring of 2012.
- The opportunity to apply to be an Explorer classroom. Five Explorer classrooms from the throughout the state will be selected.
In addition, Explorer Classrooms will receive:
A classroom visit from Will Steger during the school year.- Recognition via the online classroom and WSF newsletters as an Explorer classroom.
- A classroom set of Explorer tools that may include weather instruments and digital cameras.
- Travel and accommodations for one educator to attend the Summer Institute 2012, as well as the spring fair.
Expectations of Participation
Participating classrooms and educators are expected to:
- Attend the 2011 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education.
- Use at least a portion of the Minnesota’s Changing Climate five lesson unit.
- Participate in short evaluation opportunities.
Participating Classrooms are Strongly Encouraged to:
- Use the online classroom.
- Implement the entire five-lesson plan unit.
- Plan and implement an environmental stewardship project in their school or community
- Attend the spring 2012 fair to showcase the outcomes of their participation.
In addition to the above, Explorer Classrooms are expected to:
- Interact with other Explorer classrooms via the online classroom, or webinar to be facilitated by Will Steger Foundation staff.
Summary of Time Commitment
The minimum time commitment for a Participating classroom:
- Participation in the Summer Institute 2011.
- Implementation of two one hour lessons throughout the 2011-2012 school year.
- (Total: Approximately 12 training hours, 3 classroom hours, including prep and lesson implementation)
The minimum time commitment for an Explorer classroom:
- Participation in the Summer Institute 2011
- Implementation of five one hour lessons throughout the 2011-2012 school year
- At least three visits to the online classroom for content
- Interaction with other Explorer classrooms
- Participation in the spring 2012 fair to showcase outcomes of the project.
- (Total: Approximately 12 training hours, 12 classroom hours and one day at final fair
Participating grades 6-8 classrooms from the the metro area are eligible for $500 grants due to a unique partnership with the National Park Foundation, Mississippi National River and Recreational Area (National Park Service) and Mississippi River Fund. For more info contact Kristen Poppleton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Preview our Minnesota's Changing Climate teaser lesson today.
Are you ready to apply?Click Here to complete the application online now.
Summer Institute 2010 - Goes Back to Basics
Written by Kristen Poppleton, Director of EducationSummer Institute 2010 Recap
Our 2010 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education marked our fifth year of offering in-person professional development workshops for educators. This year we took time to “Go Back to the Basics.” This year’s Institute featured keynote speakers, Dr. Naomi Oreskes, climate historian and author of Merchants of Doubt; University of Minnesota climatologist, Mark Seeley, and a new presentation by Will Steger on his history of online education. We were able to offer scholarships to educators from out-state Minnesota, reaching 75 educators in person and via webinar. The Institute provided educators with an understanding of why climate misinformation persists and the tools to respond to those in doubt, by getting back to the basics of climate science and climate change education methods. In addition participants received a special sneak preview of the Foundation’s new curriculum, Minnesota’s Changing Climate, using Will’s lifelong archives to highlight Minnesota’s changing climate.
Summer Insitute 2010 Presenter Videos:
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| Our 2010 Summer Institute for Climate Change Education marked our fifth year of offering in-person professional development workshops for educators. This year we took time to “Go Back to the Basics.” Here, Kristen Poppleton, K12 Education Program Manager and Nicole Rom, Executive Director open the 2010 session. |
Dr. Naomi Oreskes, climate historian and author of Merchants of Doubt joined us for a reception and public forum where she spoke to over 250 people about the tactics used by corporations to confuse and misinform the public of the validity of climate science. She also captured the attention of educators at our 5th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, who were most interested in understanding climate change basics and tools to address the topic in the classroom. |
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| Will Steger gives his "Eyewitness" presentation. | "Bringing Climate Change to the Classroom" with Nalani McCutcheon, Cannon River STEM School. |
Presentations:
- Presentation: Overview of Will Steger Foundation: Nicole Rom: Executive Director, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (15.72 MB)
- Presentation: A History of Online Adventure Education: Will Steger: Polar Explorer and Founder, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (12.64 MB)
- Presentation: An Introduction to "Minnesota's Changing Climate" Curriculum: Kristen Poppleton: Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (1.42 MB) Accompanying Video (79.76 MB)
- Presentation: Weather vs. Climate: Dr. Mark Seeley: University of Minnesota climatologist - PDF (33.95 MB) Accompanying Video (173.18 MB)
- Keynote Presentation: Dr. Naomi Oreskes: Climate historian, author: Merchants of Doubt - PDF (20.36 MB)
- Presentation: Bringing Climate Change to the Classroom: Nalani McCutcheon: Director, Cannon River STEM School (Available Soon)
- Presentation: Will Steger Foundation Website and Education Resources, Kristen Poppleton: Education Program Manager, Will Steger Foundation - PDF (3.38 MB)
- Presentation: Youth Engagement, Abby Fenton: Director of Youth Programs, Will Steger Foundation; RE-AMP Youth Climate Coordinator (Available Soon)
- Closing Presentation: Dr. Carolyn Breedlove: Project Manager for Green Initiatives, National Education Association - PDF (883 KB)
Watch the Summer Institute 2009 Recap Video
University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul, MN
The Will Steger Foundation was proud to launch the 4th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education at the University of Minnesota Continuing Education & Conference Center, August 19th, 2009. A total of 85 participants joined us in person and via webinar for a day of dynamic programming on climate change education and solutions.
2009 Program in Review
Building on a successful history of educational programming, the 4th Annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education featured a cadre of climate experts, including keynote speaker Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, and founder of 350.org. Not only did Bill join us for a morning presentation at the Institute, he also spoke alongside Will Steger to an audience of 500 at a community forum in Edina, MN the previous evening.
We made a few significant changes to the Summer Institute this year, running a one-day program instead of our tradition three-day format, holding the event at the University of Minnesota's Center for Continuing Education in St Paul, and offering a full day of programming via webinar for a remote audience.
Our new Citizen Climate Curriculum, investigating global climate solutions for grades 9-12, framed the themes and program for the day. Each Summer Institute participant received a free copy of the curriculum and participated in a hands-on activity featured as one of the lesson plans. The curriculum was designed to directly compliment the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen this December, and provide educators with the necessary knowledge and tools to follow the Will Steger Foundation's Expedition Copenhagen online though the Will Steger Foundation website.
The Institute also featured six noteworthy climate experts on global climate solutions presenting on cap and trade, carbon cycle, equity in negotiations and climate technologies throughout the afternoon:
- Barbara Freese, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Presentation Download (1.12MB ZIP file )
- John Farrell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
- Peter Reich, University of Minnesota
- Presentation Download (43.63MB ZIP file )
- Shalini Gupta, Bush Fellow, Institute for Agriculture Trade and Policy
- Rolf Nordstrom, Great Plains Institute for Sustainable Development
- Presentation Download (2.89MB ZIP file )
As we continue to grow and expand our education program and materials, we strive to find new and exciting ways to engage our audience on tradition and non-traditional educators. We are pleased with the changes we made to our Summer Institute program this year and hope to increase participation in the future, in particular growing our online audience via webinar. We will continue to bring the best and brightest minds on climate change education and solutions to engage with our audience, and look forward to recruiting exciting and dynamic speakers for next year's program. We are committed to equipping and empowering educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to bring climate change education into the mainstream classroom and in doing so, engage a new generation of leadership on this critical issue.
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School of Environmental Studies, Apple Valley, MN
In 2006, the Will Steger Foundation held its first annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, a five-day professional development seminar, attended by approximately 40 educators at the School of Environmental Studies.
The concept for the Institute came to life during through a series of brainstorming sessions with veteran teachers at the School of Environmental Studies (SES) in Apple Valley, MN during the spring of 2006. We had been searching for a way to create global warming curriculum for our website that would be convenient for teachers and experiential in nature. Out of these discussions came the idea to engage teachers in learning about global warming through writing activities for the website.
Goals for the 2006 Summer Institute
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To provide base knowledge on global warming and it's implications
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To provide an introduction to Inuit culture and the impact of global warming on the traditional way of life
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To provide a model(s) of best practices in curriculum writing
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To produce a cross-disciplinary activities catalog on global warming for grades 6-12
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To generate excitement for the 2007 expedition to Baffin Island
Keynote speakers include meteorologist Paul Douglas, Liesl Chapman from the Education Department at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and Inuit guide and expedition co-leader Theo Ikummaq. The Summer Institute provided WSF with an opportunity to cooperate with educators in writing supplemental activities for the website. Teachers were able to get the knowledge they needed to teach global warming and its implications and to follow the Baffin Island Expedition in their classrooms. In contributing at least one global warming activity to the Will Steger Foundation activities to supplement the original Global Warming 101 Lesson Plans for grades 6-12, they supported not only WSF but themselves through the experience of creating this new material.
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