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Earth to Sky Academy 2024 announcement against a beautiful image of the Caspian Sea

Announcement of the 2024 Earth to Sky Academy over a colorful image of the Caspian Sea

Save the Date!  More details and announcement coming soon.

The Earth to Sky Academy is a tuition-free course for interpreters, informal educators, and science communicators interested in creating and nurturing regional communities of practice focused on improving climate science communication.

  • When: November 18–22, 2024Lori Perkins describes colorful NASA visualizations at the Goddard Space Flight Center hyperwall
  • Where: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD)
  • Team Applications Opening Soon, Due May 2024

The Earth to Sky Academy is intended for teams of experienced informal educators and climate communication leaders who have a strong commitment to furthering climate literacy within their respective regions.

The purpose of the Academy is to train Regional Leaders who will conduct regional Earth to Sky (ETS) courses and nurture their own Earth to Sky Regional Community of Practice. Academy content is based on over 17 years of experience and extensive evaluation of the ETS model. Participants will be supported every step of the way, before, during, and after the course.

Save the Date

Growing Change Workshop

Earth to Sky Academy

Niobrara Watershed

 

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Join formal and informal educators from across the Niobrara Watershed who recognize the importance of teaching climate change for a three-day workshop in June 2024.

This workshop will be packed with exciting topics, fun activities, and lesson plans for you to bring back to your school or community, including; 

- Field Trip along Niobrara National Scenic River

- Share-A-Thon of Youth Activities

- Guest Speakers from NASA and National Weather Service 

When and Where

- June 11-13, 2024

- The Nature Conservancy

- Niobrara Valley Preserve 42269 Morel Road Johnstown, NE 69214

 

For more information contact the team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

COPL Graphic

In a decade of rising fires and falling water lines on the Colorado Plateau, interpreters, informal educators, and Tribal professionals are the front lines of communicating climate science and engaging the public in ways that inspire action and hope. This course is designed to deepen participants' understanding of climate science and expand their climate communication and interpretation skills.

A brown building with a sign saying "Horace M. Albright Training Center"The Horace Albright Training Center at Grand Canyon National Park.

  • When: Midday Tuesday, Sept. 6 – 5pm Friday, Sept. 9, 2022
  • Where: Horace Albright Training Center, Grand Canyon National Park
  • Missed the application deadline? Please feel free to email us (see course description); we are keeping a waitlist.

Climate Change Science & Communication: Ama (Water) Is Life

Earth to Sky is coming to Cherokee, North Carolina on November 30th-December 2nd, 2023!

Join us for this free, in-person, workshop-style course to learn about what’s going on with climate change in western North Carolina/eastern Tennessee and how to engage with audiences on climate issues.

This course is hosted by Earth to Sky Team Southern Appalachian Highlands

About the Course

This course provides a foundation in climate science with an emphasis on the connection between global to local processes and on climate impacts in your region. Participants will discuss and practice proven methods for successful climate communication and connect with the growing Earth to Sky community of practice – over 700 communicators and scientists from a variety of organizations improving and sharing their expertise on this topic. You will leave the course armed with knowledge about cutting-edge climate science and a plan for bringing the climate story to your visitors in engaging and inspiring ways.
Otters spotted behind Tremont Office source: instagram

  • Meet with world-class scientists and communicators to discuss best practices and the latest insights about understanding and responding to a changing climate
  • Hear about the latest global and regional climate research from the scientists themselves. 
  • Join interactive sessions with specialists about regional impacts on water.
  • Experience community science and climate communications first-hand on a field trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park where educators will engage directly with workshop participants to evaluate teaching resources using local data.
  • Meet colleagues from around the region and join a community of interpreters and educators working on communicating regional climate issues.
  • Learn how to stay connected with these scientists and communicators. You’re not alone in your efforts - there’s lots of help available!


 
Target Audience                                                        

Public school teachers. Participants should have an interest in climate data and communication. Knowledge of climate science is not required. Teachers interested in collaboration planning to work together on joint projects with students are especially encouraged.

Lori Perkins describes colorful NASA visualizations at the Goddard Space Flight Center hyperwall

A tuition-free course for interpreters, informal educators, and science communicators interested in creating and nurturing regional communities of practice focused on improving climate science communication.

  • When: October 17–21, 2022
  • Where: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD)

Participant Webpage  (Accepted participants only)

The Earth to Sky Academy is intended for teams of experienced informal educators and climate communication leaders who have a strong commitment to furthering climate literacy within their respective regions.

The purpose of the Academy is to train Regional Leaders who will conduct regional Earth to Sky (ETS) courses and nurture their own Earth to Sky Regional Community of Practice. Academy content is based on over 17 years of experience and extensive evaluation of the ETS model. Participants will be supported every step of the way, before, during, and after the course.

Earth to Sky is coming to Zoo Miami on April 23-26th, 2024!

Applications Are Now Closed. 

There’s never been a better time to engage your visitors, staff, and communities about the impacts and implications of climate change in south Florida. Join colleagues in a supportive community of practice to learn about the science of climate change and share best practices in climate communication.

“Florida Squeezed” will provide you with a foundation in climate science with an emphasis on the connection between global to local processes and on climate impacts in south Florida. Participants will discuss and practice proven methods for successful climate communication and connect with the growing Earth to Sky community of practice – over 1500 communicators and scientists from a variety of organizations improving and sharing their expertise on this topic. You will leave the course armed with knowledge about cutting-edge climate science and a plan for bringing the climate story to your visitors in engaging and inspiring ways.  

Course Logistics

  • This course is hosted by Earth to Sky in partnership with NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Zoo Miami.

  • 9:00 am - 3:30 pm daily commuter-friendly schedule. No tuition fee.

  • Travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of participants and/or their institutions. 

  • A block of nearby hotel rooms will be reserved for course participants. 

  • Food is available for purchase onsite, participants are encouraged to bring their own lunches.


Target AudienceThree women stand around a table. The one on the left wears a jean jacket, the one in the middle wears a striped shirt, and is pointing at the table with printed materials and handouts on it, and the person on the right is wearing a grey sweater and holds a paper.

Interpretive managers, frontline interpretive staff, tour operators, informal educators, and science commnicators at federal, state, or municipal agencies, non-profit, and private organizations. Knowledge of climate science is not required. Participants from Florida and the Caribbean are especially encouraged to apply.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: 

  • Design and execute an action plan to produce a climate change education, outreach, and/or interpretative product/program.

  • Engage with the Earth to Sky community, both regionally and nationally, to exchange ideas and expertise.

  • Describe how connections between global, regional, and local Earth processes and climate change are affecting the ecosystems, economies and communities in the region.

  • Identify and apply audience-appropriate communication techniques, such as metaphor, analogy, visual imagery, storytelling, dialogic questions, or co-creation of knowledge in their product/program.

  • Access relevant, audience-appropriate NASA science content and/or educational/visual elements to use in their product/program. 

The Florida Squeezed course will emphasize experiential learning. It will start with a few distance-learning components that participants are required to complete prior to attending the four days of face-to-face sessions at Zoo Miami. Participants are expected to be present and fully participate in all of the face-to-face sessions. Approximately four months later, a one-hour webinar will be held for participants to share progress and challenges, and receive feedback/assistance in executing their action plans. The collegial atmosphere of this course will provide participants with many opportunities to engage with scientists, communication practitioners, and colleagues in collaborative learning.

Zoo Miami LogoFace-to-Face Sessions at Zoo Miami

  • Scientists from NASA and other national agencies will present climate science in both global and regional contexts followed by discussion sessions to apply
    that content in participants’ work settings. 

  • A field trip to Everglades National Park will serve as a case study illustrating climate science/research and a model for climate communication.

  • Dedicated time to work with colleagues and experienced mentors as part of a regional community of practice. Work collaboratively to create an action plan for developing a product or program applying course content for use in their site or organization. Participants are encouraged to reach out to internal and external collaborators as they execute these action plans. 

Expectations of Participants

  • Complete preliminary assignments in preparation for the face-to-face sessions.

  • Be present and fully participate in all four days of face-to-face sessions. 

  • Create an Action Plan for developing an interpretive, educational or outreach product or program applying course content.

  • Participate in post-course reporting and evaluations, including a one-hour follow-up webinar with fellow course participants.

Application Process 

Applications are closed. In order to attend this course, participants should have prior experience in communications (i.e., interpretation, environmental education, outreach, and/or public affairs). Individuals must complete the Application Form illustrating their interest and experience in climate change communications. Experience or knowledge of climate science is not a prerequisite. Applicants must obtain approval from their supervisor before applying.

The course planning team will carefully review and make selections based on information provided in your Application Form. The maximum class size is 30. Those not selected during the first round will be placed on a waitlist to backfill any cancellations. 

About Earth to Sky 

Earth to Sky (ETS) is an ongoing and expanding partnership between NASA, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 2004, the partnership has conducted many professional development events on the topic of climate change. https://www.earthtosky.org

Questions? 

Contact our Earth to Sky course coordinator John Ceballos: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

A low waterfall on a forested riverThis course will include a field trip to Chickasaw National Recreation Area. (NPS Photo)

Join us for three days of training with native informal educators from across the South Central Region who recognize the importance of teaching climate change. Participants are encouraged to apply as teams of 3–5 collaborators (e.g. Tribal environment and education staff). You will work with these teams to develop plans to implement an youth outreach activity in your tribal community!

    • When: July 20–22, 2022
    • Where: Chickasaw Retreat and Conference Center, Sulphur, OK
    • Applications are closed
 
This workshop will be packed with exciting topics and fun activities for you to bring back to your community, including;

A large building at sunset with many windowsChickasaw Retreat and Conference Center

  • NASA Arctic & Earth Signs Training
  • NASA Living Landscape Project
  • Shar-A-Thon of Youth Activities
  • Field Trip to Chickasaw National Recreation Area

pdfView course flyer

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

 

Course Website (Participants Only)

A crystal blue lake, forested hills, and a cloud-spotted blue sky.

Ignite:

Sparking Local Climate Change Conversations

in Central Idaho

November 7-9, 2023

McCall, Idaho

Apply now! 

Earth to Sky Idaho is hosting our second climate communication workshop in McCall, Idaho. During three days in Ponderosa State Park, formal and informal educators will be exposed to innovative pedagogy and techniques for framing climate change. Educators will focus on the science of wildfire in the context of global environmental change. Joined by fire ecologists, land managers, and local professors, we will explore:

  • The connections between global climate changes and Idahoans
  • The ecological and cultural shifts contributing to changing fire regimes in Idaho
  • Ways to overcome barriers to effective climate change communication
  • Demographics on Idahoans’ climate change opinions
  • Effective use of storytelling to connect diverse audiences to science concepts

With a recognition that learning is most productive when applied, participants will have time every day to start putting new ideas into practice. With feedback from NASA coaches and peers in the workshop, participants will create a climate outreach product to bring back to their educational institution.

The ETS Idaho team coordinators have diverse experience in environmental education, with years of experience as naturalists, national park interpreters, outdoor school instructors, backcountry guides, and science communicators. We will spend a day in Ponderosa State Park modeling how outdoor field experiences can effectively connect your participants to climate science.

Lodging and food are provided. Stipends for eligible informal educators are available, and 2 Professional Development credits are available for formal educators.

Interested in learning more? Contact "bw @ cityofboise.org" with the subject “Ignite Workshop."

 

Want to know what our past participants thought?

“I loved participating in the hands-on activities. Presentations can be hard to sit through, no matter how interesting they are. When I'm working with students, I know that they sit through lots of presentations, and I find the real value is in engaging them. So, I loved learning new ways to do that and plan on incorporating many of the activities from this workshop into our curriculum!”

“(I most valued)…the lessons and thinking about incorporating new ways of learning using emotional learning and storytelling. I found the activities we did to be so wonderful and plan on using all of them. I feel like I have new ways to help my students access topics that can be difficult...”

“This workshop seamlessly incorporated emotions with science. I've never thought to do that, and I can now see the value, and the possibilities.”

“I leave feeling refreshed on how to communicate, teach, share climate knowledge in an accessible way”

 

Image: The view from Osprey Point at Ponderosa State Park. Photo Credit: Idaho Parks and Recreation.

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