Applications Now Open!
Click here to access the application.
We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the third Summer Institute for Integrating Climate Education in NYC Public Schools! This 5-day professional development program will take place from Monday, July 21, 2025, to Friday, July 25, 2025, at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Join one of two virtual info sessions:
- Feb 24, 7:00-7:30 pm - register here
- Feb 25, 5:30-6 pm - register here
What Is the Summer Institute?
Imagine spending one week immersed in learning about climate change alongside colleagues from across NYC, building confidence to integrate this critical topic into your teaching. The Summer Institute is a collaborative space where high school educators, experts, and NYCPS leaders come together to explore innovative ways of bringing climate education into classrooms.
While we don’t offer pre-made lesson plans or complete curricula, the Institute equips you with the tools, resources, and ideas to:
- Adapt climate education to your unique classroom context.
- Meet educational standards while emphasizing place-based learning.
- Inspire your students to engage with climate change as it relates to their lives and communities.
Whether you teach science, English, math, social studies, or the arts, this Institute is designed to help you seamlessly incorporate climate change education into your subject area.
Our Goals
- Deepen teachers’ understanding of climate change.
- Empower teachers to engage students across diverse subjects.
- Co-create innovative teaching materials tailored to NYC.
- Build a supportive learning community of educators from across the city.
Our Alumni Say…
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“I feel more comfortable teaching my students about it, I have data to share with them that can be applied in any subject I teach. The information shared by all the presenters can easily be taken back to my classroom but also can serve to help me present the information to my colleagues and administration.” - Elementary school teacher
“I was able to learn how to talk to my students about climate change in a way that encourages them to take action. I also learned a lot about the science behind WHY climate change is occurring at the speed at which it is.” - Middle school teacher
“As a social studies teacher, I plan on bringing some of the history of environmentalism and the civics behind pushing for climate change education into the classroom.” - Elementary school teacher
“It was a fantastic gathering of educators and scientists in community to address the crisis of our lifetime. The access to experts in the field and multiple ways presented of addressing and incorporating climate education into the classroom was empowering.” - Elementary school teacher
“I learned that the most important component of climate education is advocacy. Collective action over individual action which is important to have students understand so that they can become active citizens." - Elementary school teacher
“I plan to revise and update my personal scope and sequence to implement more meaningful exploration of climate education within my own classroom, but I also plan to have my student service group focus solely on climate change activism this upcoming school year.” - Middle school teacher
The numbers:
- 92% of participants say the summer institute was very good or excellent
- 85% of participants say they will definitely recommend the Summer Institute
Activity Highlights From Previous Years
- Science talks with leading climate scientists
- Presentation and discussion on NYCPS’ decarbonization journey
- Workshops with Teachers College and NYCPS curriculum specialists
- Panel with NYC youth climate activists
- Sessions on environmental justice and racism, food and nutrition, and wellbeing
- Outdoor and hands-on experiential activities
Who Should Apply?
This year’s Institute is tailored for high school teachers (9th - 12th grades) working in NYC public schools. You are an ideal candidate if you:
- Teach in any subject area (not just science!) and are scheduled to lead a high school class next year
- Work in a public school in one of NYC’s five boroughs
- Are eager to integrate climate education into your classroom
Participant Commitment
- Attend all five days of the Summer Institute and two follow-up meetings during the 2025-2026 school year
- Develop and implement curriculum materials during the academic year
- Participate in at least two check-in sessions with the Summer Institute team
- Present your curriculum at the final spring meeting in 2026
About Us
The Institute is organized by the Center for Sustainable Futures at Teachers College, Columbia University, in partnership with the NYC Public Schools Office of Energy & Sustainability. It is part of the Learning the Earth with Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP) initiative, an NSF Science and Technology Center at Columbia University.
Program Details
- Cost: FREE! Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend and can earn up to 28 CTLE credits.
- Application Time: Approximately 40 minutes.
- Application Deadline: Friday, March 21, 2025.
- Admissions Decisions: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 (early decisions available upon request).
- Institute Dates: Monday, July 21, 2025, to Friday, July 25, 2025.
- Location: Smith Learning Center, Teachers College, Columbia University.
You can learn more about the Summer Institute here and here.
Ready to Apply?
Start your application
Want to learn more?
Read stories from previous years here and here.
Join one of two virtual info sessions:
- Feb 24, 7:00-7:30 pm - register here
- Feb 25, 5:30-6 pm - register here