In March, ECCLPs hosted two powerful Fireside Chats showcasing the transformative role of storytelling in environmental justice. Dr. Brittney Beck , National Geographic Explorer and Associate Professor at CSUB, highlighted her youth-driven environmental justice storytelling projects, including the #GenGeo Environmental Justice Storytelling Fellowship and National Geographic Slingshot Challenge . Her discussion emphasized how storytelling fosters agency, multidisciplinary learning, and community-driven environmental advocacy.

Later in the month, Jothsna Harris , founder of Change Narrative , led an inspiring conversation on climate storytelling as a tool for justice and action. She shared strategies for humanizing climate data, amplifying frontline voices, and using personal narratives to drive change. Participants left with a deeper understanding of how storytelling can empower communities and shape impactful climate advocacy.

Education plays a critical role in preparing students to tackle climate challenges by equipping them with the skills, mindsets, and emotional resilience needed for meaningful action. This month, we are highlighting the sixth and final paradigm shift for climate teaching and learning: moving from a focus on abstract content knowledge to an approach that empowers students with 21st-century skills, civic engagement competencies, and social-emotional learning to navigate the complexities of climate change. This shift prioritizes education that is action-oriented, emotionally supportive, and centered on fostering hope and agency.

By integrating social-emotional learning and empathy , this paradigm shift acknowledges the emotional weight of climate issues while providing students with the tools to engage in solution-driven action. It encourages a learning environment where students not only understand climate science but also develop the confidence and resilience to participate in creating a more just and sustainable future. Join us as we continue to explore how these paradigm shifts are transforming climate education. Read more about ECCLPs' Six Paradigm Shifts for Climate Teaching and Learning!

ECCLPs is excited to host a Roundtable on K-12 Climate Education in California & Nationally at SF Climate Week in collaboration with Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and SubjectToClimate on April 18. This special gathering will bring together funders, educators, nonprofit leaders, faculty, and thought leaders to explore systemic, scalable solutions for advancing climate education—not just as a key pillar of quality education, but as a catalyst for climate action. Stay tuned to see how the discussion will shape the future of climate education and ensure that young people are empowered to lead on climate solutions. This event is invite-only and currently at capacity. Please register here to join the waiting list!

A group of incredible educators—including ECCLPs PK-12 Teacher Workgroup members Linh Ho, Marianna O'Brien, Merek Chang, and Kelly McKeeman , along with Mariel Kolker from Nano4Earth—have developed a series of lesson plans focused on nanoscience for climate change solutions . These NGSS-aligned lessons explore catalysts, energy storage, greenhouse gas capture, and more, providing engaging, real-world applications for students.

Join the NanoEducators Quarterly Forum on Wednesday, April 30 (6:30–7:30 p.m. ET) to see these lesson plans in action! Marianna O’Brien and Merek Chang will showcase two lessons on nanocatalysts and friction-reducing interfaces, sharing classroom prompts, slides, and assignments. This session is a great opportunity for educators to gain free resources, hear student feedback, and connect with others integrating nanoscience into their teaching. Register here !

ECCLPs is excited to share a valuable new resource from our partner, 10 Strands! Their latest initiative offers a series of webinars focused on data literacy in climate education, equipping educators with tools to help students analyze, interpret, and apply real-world environmental data. These webinars will provide practical strategies for integrating data-driven learning into the classroom, fostering critical thinking and empowering students to take informed action on climate issues.

Explore this opportunity to enhance climate literacy through data and discover how you can bring these insights into your teaching. Learn more and register today !

Join educators and environmental leaders at the AEOE 2025 Statewide Conference in Marin County from May 3–5 to explore this year’s theme, "Roots and Branches: Strengthening Community and Expanding Impact." Featuring keynote speaker Lisette Arellano, who will discuss how community science connects people and nature, the weekend includes 40+ workshops, a resource fair, awards, entertainment, and networking opportunities. Whether you attend for Saturday only or the full weekend, this is a chance to grow, connect, and be inspired. Regular registration ends April 20—discounts available for AEOE members! Learn more and register here .

Join the celebration of climate solutions and storytelling at the Suzie Hicks Climate Festival on Saturday, April 19th , from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM in SoCal! This exciting event will feature a kids' show premiere, interactive activities, a puppet sing-along, and a Q&A with the filmmakers.

ECCLPs partners and educators are invited to table and exhibit at the event, offering a unique opportunity to engage families through hands-on activities, workshops, and climate action conversations. Volunteers can lead crafts, share sustainability stories, and inspire the next generation of climate leaders. Be part of this first-of-its-kind festival and help bring climate joy to kids and families! Reach out to Suzie via email: theclimatechick@gmail.com and s ign up today to showcase your work, and connect with an engaged community!

The ECCLPs initiative is dedicated to advancing climate literacy and justice-centered education by amplifying the work of educators, researchers, and community partners. This month, we highlight George Matsumoto , a senior education and research specialist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), whose work bridges scientific research and environmental education.

With a background in marine biology, Matsumoto is passionate about equipping students—especially non-science majors—with the tools to critically analyze climate data and develop their own informed perspectives. He recognizes the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age and emphasizes the importance of media literacy in climate education. Through MBARI’s EARTH workshops, he fosters collaboration between researchers and educators, transforming real scientific data into accessible, engaging lesson plans for classrooms across the country.

Despite the increasing availability of climate data, Matsumoto sees a gap in its effective use in educational settings. By partnering with ECCLPs, he hopes to bridge this divide, ensuring that cutting-edge research directly informs climate literacy initiatives. His work exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in preparing the next generation to navigate complex environmental challenges with confidence and critical thinking.

Explore more about Matsumoto’s work and how ECCLPs is collaborating with leaders like him to strengthen climate education. Explore George's full story in the ECCLPs Case Study Hub by clicking here!

We are excited to celebrate the recent accomplishments of ECCLPs faculty advisor, Dr. Asli Sezen-Barrie , whose work continues to shape the future of climate education.

National Academies Appointment – Dr. Sezen-Barrie was selected as a member of the expert group contributing to the National Academies’ report on Education for Thriving in a Changing Climate. This report explores how education can equip learners to navigate and respond to climate challenges. View the full report and list of contributors here .

Keynote at USC’s Research to Impact Conference – Dr. Sezen-Barrie delivered a keynote titled Beyond Awareness: Transformative Climate Change Education for a Just and Thriving Future at USC’s Research to Impact Conference, highlighting the role of education in fostering justice, agency, and resilience. Read more about the conference here .

Suzie & Sprout's Climate Clubhouse offers free, engaging curricula designed to teach PK-2nd graders about climate change through interactive activities, hands-on experiments, and social-emotional learning. Each chapter focuses on key topics like the Earth's climate system, the greenhouse effect, and managing emotions related to environmental issues, making complex concepts accessible and fun for young learners.

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