TEACH CLIMATE NETWORK: The Summer Institute

The Teach Climate Network’s three-day climate change education conference is built by educators and climate change professionals from across North America! We are planning the 2025 Summer Institute now. Please contact education@climategen.org if you have questions.

Are you seeking a space to reflect, recharge, and connect with a diverse network of educators? Join us for the 20th annual Teach Climate Network Summer Institute, happening over three days from July 14th – 17th! This event offers the chance to select from 30+ workshops and connect with local and national leaders in climate change education; leaving you feeling inspired, connected, and ready to teach climate action with your students and communities.

Register 

The Heroes We Need Today: Teaching About the Radical Ida B. Wells

With more schools and public spaces named for journalist and anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells, it is time for students to learn about the courage and vitality of this radical activist.

They also need to be ready to resist any efforts under this administration to remove Wells’ name from public spaces and curriculum.


High school teacher Matt Reed offers a lesson to introduce students to the life and work of Wells.

Read about the lesson and download it for free at Rethinking Schools.

Lesson

Zinn Education Project: King of the North: Martin Luther King’s Freedom Struggle Outside of the South

On Monday, March 24, 2025, historian Jeanne Theoharis and Rethinking Schools editor Jesse Hagopian will discuss Theoharis’s book, King of the North: Martin Luther King’s Freedom Struggle Outside of the South.

Jeanne Theoharis is a distinguished professor at Brooklyn College. She is the author or co-author of numerous books and articles on the Civil Rights and Black Power movements and the politics of race and education. Her books include the award-winning titles The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks and A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History. Theoharis co-founded the Teach the Black Freedom Struggle class series with the Zinn Education Project and invited our staff to collaborate on a teaching guide for The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks book and film.

ASL interpretation provided.

Professional development credit certificate provided upon request for attendees.

>> Register

SIMA Academy Webinar and Film Screening

March 6, 2025

11AM -12PM PST

Join us for an inspiring evening at the SIMA Short Film Screening, where the power of storytelling meets the global call for sustainable development. This unique event showcases a curated selection of short films that bring the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life. These thought-provoking films explore key issues such as climate action, gender equality, poverty alleviation, and clean water access, illustrating how communities around the world are tackling the challenges of today to create a better tomorrow.

Immerse yourself in powerful narratives that highlight the impact of social, environmental, and economic changes, and see how filmmakers are using their craft to inspire action, raise awareness, and drive positive change. Whether you’re an advocate for sustainability, a lover of cinema, or simply curious about how films can ignite social transformation, this screening is for you.

Don’t miss the opportunity to witness how film can bring the SDGs to life in a way that’s compelling, impactful, and unforgettable!

Films line-up:
1. Words of a Changemaker
This film features inspiring stories from individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and the world. Through their narratives, viewers gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of changemakers dedicated to creating positive social impact.

2. Detroit Hives
Detroit Hives explores the transformation of vacant lots in Detroit into thriving urban bee farms. This initiative not only revitalizes the community but also promotes environmental sustainability and education, highlighting the intersection of urban agriculture and social entrepreneurship.

3. Cross World:
Cross World delves into the lives of individuals who bridge cultural divides through innovative projects and collaborations. The film showcases how these efforts foster understanding, unity, and progress across diverse communities, emphasizing the power of cross-cultural exchange in addressing global challenges.

Join Here

American Agitators Premiere, March 16th

The American Agitators world premiere will be on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California. This is particularly symbolic because this is where Fred Ross, Sr. held his first house meeting at the home of Cesar and Helen Chavez in the East San Jose barrio of “Sal Si Puedes.”  Please join us at 6:45 pm on March 16th for the world premiereTickets can be purchased here.  As legendary organizer Dolores Huerta, who is featured in the film, recently said: “Bringing Fred’s life to the screen is the medicine our society needs right now. He empowered people to be engaged in the democratic process.”

Purchase a Ticket to the World Premiere!

Attend the next Teach Climate Network Workshop on February 19!

Join the Teach Climate Network and presenter Patrick Chandler on Wednesday, February 19th from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm CT for a workshop about using climate science in lesson planning for the classroom.

Register for the Webinar

The National Climate Assessment is a major scientific report developed by several government agencies that describes climate change in the United States. This session will highlight the science found in the report, and then explore resources that support introducing the NCA5 to non-scientific audiences through the NCA5 Educator’s Guide.

The Climate Energy and Literacy Awareness Network (CLEAN) Team will introduce a guide that connects the information in the report to teaching guidance and resources. Patrick will describe how the new design and updates to the guide make it a powerful tool for education and outreach professionals and how to support their efforts in classrooms, communities, and beyond.

Patrick Chandler is an Education Specialist for the Climate Literacy Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) and other Cooperative Institute for Environmental Sciences (CIRES) climate education projects. His current focus is developing support and resources for teaching climate change across the curriculum in both science and non-science classrooms. Previously, Patrick designed educator guides and workshops for the CU/United Nations’ Right Here Right Now Global Climate Summit (RHRN) centered on helping teachers bring a human rights lens to climate change. Before starting with CIRES, Patrick was the Education Director for the Washed Ashore Project, raising awareness about marine debris through art/science partnership exhibits; taught biology for Kenai Peninsula College; was the International Coastal Cleanup Coordinator for Alaska; and the Special Programs Coordinator for the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. He has over fifteen years working in and developing environmental education, art, stewardship, and science programs and received his Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from CU, Boulder focused on art and science partnerships to catalyze community action on environmental and social justice issues.

We understand that some of these workshops do not work for educator’s schedules, so all registrants will receive a recording and additional resources in their email within 1 week of the event. We are striving to make our events more welcoming to all, with specific goals about racial equity and inclusivity. Your answers during registration will help us to know how we are doing.