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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.
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. The first 10 classroom teachers to register will receive an Explore Minnesota’s Biomes Kit.
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...
Key Partners
Additional Partners
Desired outcomes for YEA! MN youth participants include:
- Climate change literacy from an interdisciplinary and factual perspective
- Sense of empowerment and belief in one's ability to affect change
- Passion for continued engagement on climate change and the environment
- Wider network of peers with which to collaborate
- Wider pool a resources to draw from to support continued engagement
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| YEA! MN student participates in letter writing campaign in support of Clean Air Act legislation | Mahtomedi High School students work with community leaders to raise the Zephyr Wind Turbine on campus |
The YEA! MN program structure, designed to support hands-on leadership training through student-led facilitation and peer mentorship, includes the following:
- A Youth Steering Committee with students representing a variety of schools across the Metro
- Two student chairs voted in every school year by their peers
- Four large meetings, planned and facilitated by the Steering Committee, held at different high school locations across the Twin Cities, targeting high school youth, focused on a specific theme. Examples include:
- Climate Change Basics
- Climate Policy and Youth Engagement
- Environmental Justice and Global Connections
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solutions
- Opportunities to engage in other happenings throughout the year (i.e. annual Earth Day and Lobby Day events)
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| High school students gather to share strategies on youth-led action projects | YEA! MN Steering Committee members table at the 350.org 'Get to Work Day' in Minneapolis |
WSF understands youth empowerment to include access to both relevant and tangible resources and opportunities for experiential learning through authentic student leadership. The YEA! MN program provides the following resources available to all participating schools and student leaders:
- Mentorship from peers and qualified adults in the environmental field
- Project Resources for student environmental clubs including educational content, fundraising opportunities and contacts for potential speakers
- Access to policy makers, legislative briefings, lobby days, and in-district meetings
- Youth leadership development through dynamic trainings and conferences
- Opportunities to participate in action on climate change beyond the high school campus
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| YEA! MN High School junior lobbies MN Senator Paulson in Washington DC on behalf of climate legislation | Edina High School students celebrate funding for their recycling initiative |
The Will Steger foundation has been a key ally in building the youth climate moment across the Midwest. Since 2007 WSF has been actively working with partner organizations across the generational spectrum to support youth climate leadership across the region. This includes a robust network of youth organizations and a close relationship with the RE-AMP network, a coalition of over 120 environmental non-profit organizations and Foundations across the Midwest.
WSF has played a key role in connecting Midwest youth organizations with RE-AMP funding opportunities, specifically in regards to RE-AMP 'Allies' Funding through the Global Warming Strategic Action Fund. This includes outreach and engagement to strategic youth allies, mentorship on grant proposals, and facilitation of regional communication among Midwest youth applicants to foster a coordinated approach to the RE-AMP funding opportunity. The following is a list youth initiatives funded by RE-AMP in 2011. WSF is proud to support these vibrant initiatives and recognizes the critical role they play in the larger environmental movement.
Global Exchange: Green Economy Leadership Training, Detroit, MI
Global Exchange: GELT organizers worth with local youth in Highland Park MI
Global Exchange's Green Economy Leadership Training (GELT) program educates, engages and empowers youth to be active agents of change in building the necessary clean energy, green economy future. The program trains youth and community members in practical skills that will empower them to improve their communities, such as environmental justice, energy conservation, renewable energy, green building technology, water conservation, waste diversion (recycling and composting), urban agriculture and food security and urban forestry. Seizing the opportunity to begin a new era of organizing, the GELT program deploys community-based solutions that break from conventional thinking and puts the emphasis on empowering individuals and communities.
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Little Village Environmental Justice Organization: Neighborhood Transit Access
Little Village: LVEJO organizers demand transit access
Little Village environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) has created the coalition 'Communities for a 31st Bus Route' to advocate for transit access for 6 different Chicago neighborhoods, including Little Village (noted as one of the top 6 most polluted areas in the Chicago Metro), and to serve a ridership of over 100,000 people, mostly low-income. Along with a dozen diverse partners, the transit access campaign engages local youth through LVEJO programming in leadership training, community outreach, and grassroots organizing. The campaign will target key legislators and seeks to save up to 500 tons of C02 per year.
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Grand Aspirations: Our Power Campaign, Minneapolis/Iowa City
Grand Aspirations is expanding its Our Power campaign in South Minneapolis, MN and replicating it in Iowa City, IA. The campaign focuses on building diverse alliances in support of energy efficiency and clean energy at the neighborhood and city level and integrating implementation of energy efficiency and clean energy with movement building. Our Power unites local youth, community groups, and businesses from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in support of a clean energy economy. Local and national youth leaders will act as community energy leaders to engage 500 residents and 50 businesses in Minneapolis, and 125 residents and 10 businesses in Iowa City, in energy efficiency and clean energy measures.
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Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group: Energy Service Corps Program
Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) is in the second year of its Energy Service Corps Program launched in partnership with Americorps. Through direct citizen outreach and partnerships with local institutions the program engages youth leadership at the University of Wisconsin Steven's Point and the University of Wisconsin Madison in reaching diverse constituencies with demonstrations, presentations, and home inspections that highlight the potential of efficiency to save energy, save the environment and save money. Student "Energy Efficiency Ambassadors' will encourage residents to conduct subsidized energy audits and home weatherization.
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Minnesota Public Interest Research Group: Minnesota Youth Alignment
MPIRG Morris: MPIRG student organizers at the University of MN Morris
Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) seeks to engage it's statewide youth network in support of the following 3 key campaign areas funded by RE-AMP for member organizations in Minnesota. Solar Works for Minnesota: MPIRG will leverage it's relationships of three University of MN campuses to push to legislature for guaranteed pricing for public buildings that develop solar and other renewable energy resources. Defend Clean Energy Laws and Regulations: MPIRG will engage, educate and mobilize it's student network in defense of Minnesota's clean energy policy foundation. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled: MPIRG will launch an education and advocacy campaign targeting Duluth Transit Authority and push for transit solutions that better serve the needs of student riders.
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Illinois Student Environmental Coalition: Chicago Coal Campaign
ILEC Coal Campaign: ISEC organizers join a human banner targeting Chicago Mayor Emmanuel
Illinois Student Environmental Coalition seeks to continue its collaboration with the Chicago Clean Power Coalition (CCPC) to retire two existing coal plants in the city. The campaign is at a critical juncture and support from students is essential to advancing the work of the coalition. ISEC has been key to the CCPC movement over the past year and will continue to work with the Coalition to empower and engage it's state network of student leaders to effectively target the Mayor of Chicago and City Council.
More Info...
Learn More about other areas: Local • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Midwest
Since 2007, WSF has been actively working with partner youth organizations across the Midwest in building a unified regional youth coalition. What began as a loose network of 10+ youth organizations, programs, and initiatives has blossomed into a formal youth network representing all of the Upper Midwest states from Indiana to the Dakotas. The Midwest Youth Coalition is working to foster strategic cross-collaboration across the region and between states on specific focus areas including coal, tar sands, fracking, agriculture, political engagement and building the clean energy economy.
WSF continues to support this vibrant Coalition through direct mentorship, logistical support, access to policy makers and leaders in the non-profit community, and funding opportunities through the REAMP network. We believe in the power of young people, leading from the heart of the country, to build the clean and just energy future we need to see here in the US and across the globe.
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| States active in the MW Youth Coalition include IN, OH, IL, MO, MI, WI, MN, IA, ND, and SD | MW Youth Coalition members chart a timeline of activism at the RE-AMP Annual Meeting in Chicago |
Learn More about other areas: Local • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Midwest
While the bulk of our youth work is focused on the Midwest region, the Will Steger Foundation is also committed to engaging and empowering youth leadership on the national stage. This includes access to policy makers and high profile leaders in the non-profit/for-profit sector and academia, information and resources related to climate legislation, and opportunities to participate in national conferences and trainings.
Learn More about other areas: Local • Midwest • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Overview
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Will Green Jobs be YOUTH jobs?
Written by SustainUSJust in case our 5 years of swarming state capitals decked out in green hard hats, running campaigns calling for more jobs in clean energy, and vowing to only vote for candidates who support renewable energy companies hasn’t made it clear — youth really want more green jobs.Written on Friday, 22 July 2011 14:13 Read 9892 times Read more... -
Power Shift 2011: Empowering, Transforming, Building a Movement
Written by Abby Fenton, Youth Programs DirectorWhere does the power of effective organizing begin? Is it born in the seed of a brilliant idea? Does come from the voice of our loudest leaders? How is it that a small group of committed citizens can indeed change the world? Marshall Ganz would argue that the power is…Written on Monday, 11 April 2011 07:30 Read 16136 times -
Youth Launch Summer of Solutions Across the Nation
The power of the Millennial generation is not that we have Facebook or that we know how to use it. It's that growing up in a networked world is allowing us to imagine and equipping us to implement people-oriented coordination of real-world action at a massive scale. At the center…Written on Wednesday, 23 March 2011 12:56 Read 13737 times Read more... -
Grants Through Climate Generation Program
Written by Abby Fenton, Youth Programs DirectorWhat would you do to address climate change if money wasn't an obstacle? For many young people passionate about the environment, ideas are not what's lacking. It's the means to make these ideas a reality that stands in the way of effective leadership and implementation. Of course there is mentorship,…Written on Monday, 10 January 2011 15:16 Read 20035 times Read more...
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