We are thrilled to have met our incredible CA Climate Education Research student interns at their orientation on September 14th! With over 120 students representing 9 UCs and 21 CSUs, this diverse and passionate group is ready to make a meaningful impact on climate education and research. Together with 6 graduate student mentors across the UC and CSU campuses, they're ready to learn about the research process and make an impact on climate change education with their developing skills. The orientation was an exciting first step in fostering collaboration, building essential skills, and preparing to explore gaps and opportunities in PK-12 climate change education. We can’t wait to see what these future climate leaders accomplish in the coming year!

This program is more than just an internship— it's an opportunity for the next generation of climate leaders to engage with real-world issues and contribute to the future of climate education. We can’t wait to see how these brilliant young minds will leverage their knowledge, creativity, and passion to drive meaningful change and lead the way toward a more sustainable future. The road ahead is filled with exciting opportunities, and we are eager to support these students as they embark on this transformative experience! Thank you to our wonderful program partners and guest speakers!

This opportunity aligns closely with Jessica's ambition to bridge the gap between scientific research and public education. She looks forward to guiding and supporting undergraduate interns as they begin their research journeys, helping them develop critical skills in environmental and climate change education. Through this role, Jessica aims to foster a collaborative environment where students can explore their passions, deepen their understanding of environmental issues, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing research effort

Over the past year, many ECCLPs leaders from across our network (representing a wide range of disciplines and subject areas), came together to help shape the future of climate literacy by identifying evidence-driven approaches needed to shift paradigms in teaching and learning. Through a series of collaborative discussions and feedback sessions, experts pinpointed key opportunities, gaps, and common themes in how climate issues are taught and understood. In partnership with Unbounded Associates, we distilled this collective insight into the 6 Paradigm Shifts for Climate Teaching and Learning —a transformative framework designed to help educators embed climate literacy throughout their curricula.

The 6 Paradigm Shifts emphasize critical changes in the way climate change is taught, focusing on interdisciplinary approaches, equity, and real-world applicability. This framework provides educators with a clear path to deepen students' understanding of climate science and its social, environmental, and economic impacts, empowering future generations to take meaningful action.

A big thank you to our dedicated committee members for their hard work and collaboration. This year, members are diving into exciting cross-committee projects. There are five group projects moving forward that we'll continue to share about. For now, two key projects to spotlight include the development of a Collaborative Journal connecting community-based partners to advance PK-12 climate and environmental education, and a tiered-award system for teacher preparation programs (TPPs) that recognizes meaningful integration of climate change, environmental literacy, justice, and action in preparing pre-service candidates.

We are excited to feature Kelly McKeeman in the ECCLPs Case Study Hub! Her spotlight, titled "Climate Literacy in Action," highlights her innovative approach to environmental education. Teaching at a Title 1 school, Kelly makes environmental science relatable and actionable for her students, inspiring them to understand the impact of their individual actions on the Earth. Kelly’s dedication to fostering critical thinking and responsibility in the next generation is a powerful example of climate literacy in action.

Explore Kelly’s full story in the ECCLPs Case Study Hub by clicking here!

We are thrilled to share that Estefanía Pihen González, ECCLPs Research Committee Lead and a leader in sustainability education for over 15 years, is featured in 3M’s new docuseries, Green Works . Estefanía, who recently joined the California Academy of Sciences as its Chief of Education and Learning, is one of five global changemakers highlighted in this inspiring series.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Julio Palacio and produced by Generous Films, Green Works shines a light on individuals from around the world—representing countries like Brazil, China, Germany, South Korea, and the U.S.—who are tackling climate challenges through innovative roles in green jobs. Estefanía’s commitment to integrating action-oriented sustainability education into classrooms makes her an essential part of this global narrative.

Let’s harness our collective expertise, amplify our impact, and support educators together! We’re excited to offer PK-12 teachers access to incredible micro-courses offered by statewide and global partners through our new professional learning platform. This is a fantastic opportunity to elevate your organization’s visibility by showcasing your course and using our network to increase your reach. Submit your micro-learning experiences to be spotlighted to further connect today! Submit interest here.

In partnership with SubjectToClimate, we are currently accepting high quality climate and environmental resources to showcase in the California teaching and learning hub centered on the ECCLPs framework for climate literacy and action. Calling all faculty, staff, educators, and resource developers to submit PK-12 climate and environmentally-related teaching resources to be featured! Submit interest here.

Huge shout out to everyone who joined our Pre-service Teacher Supervisor Workshop this summer!Participants explored how to leverage the California Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs) and the ECCLPs seven core components of lesson design to shift paradigms in climate change education to support novice teachers. Special thanks to Megan Sulsberger from the ECCLPs Teaching & Learning Committee and Kimi Waite from the ECCLPs Steering Committee for their valuable contributions.

Announcing the ECCLPs Green Job Toolkit!

Explore the rapidly growing world of green jobs with the Green Jobs Toolkit, led by environmental advocate Kristy Drutman. This month's feature covers the basics of Green Jobs and what steps need to be taken to pursue a career in one. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or a professional looking to transition into the green economy, this toolkit will help you navigate the path to a fulfilling and impactful career. Click here to explore the Green Careers Toolkit!

The release of the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide, featuring the new Essential Principles of Addressing Climate Changeis here! The California Climate Education Listening Session organized by ECCLPs in collaboration with NOAA was instrumental in developing this framework. Access the guide here .

The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s Action Plan emphasizes the critical role that educators play in raising awareness and inspiring action for environmental preservation. The Foundation of Environmental Education is actively seeking input from teachers to shape educational materials and strategies that will have a lasting impact. Access the framework here.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), the NSF Game Maker Awards invites students in grades K-12 to engage in a unique video game design competition that brings science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to life. This exciting initiative aims to make STEM subjects both accessible and engaging, inspiring students to envision the future through the theme "Life in 2100." Learn more here .

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