Day of Climate brings climate education to all

Astronaut Suni Williams has watched Earth's glaciers recede and its forests thin from 250 miles away in a spaceship. 

Next month, she will join learners of all ages at MIT to share her perspective on climate change — one shaped by viewing Earth from orbit. 

On Wednesday, April 15, the MIT pK-12 Initiative at MIT Open Learning will host its second annual Day of Climate. Taking place at the MIT Museum, this dynamic in-person event will bring together learners, educators, activists, researchers, and families for a full afternoon of conversation, discovery, and hands-on exploration focused on climate learning and action. A livestream will be available for those that can’t join in person.

Throughout the event, attendees of all ages will join hands-on sessions of grant-funded climate curricula exploring topics from ocean health to sustainable fashion design. They will participate in interactive workshops and hear from learners who are already developing solutions in their schools and communities. The sessions are designed to connect cutting-edge scientific research with practical tools for teaching, learning, and climate action.

“As we continue to experience the increasing impacts of climate change, it’s important for young people to feel a personal connection to the issue,” says Claudia Urrea, executive director of the pK-12 Initiative. “By exploring tangible climate impacts, such as extreme weather events, we aim to create urgency for a deep understanding of its root causes. By bringing together science, exploration, and learning, we will empower young people to remain curious and committed to understand the crisis and see themselves as part of the solution.” 

Viewing climate change from the big and small picture 

At this year’s event, learners will hear from two experts whose work spans the macro to micro continuum, offering unique perspectives on how we respond to climate change challenges.

Suni Williams, a veteran astronaut with NASA, will share her perspective shaped by years in space observing Earth as a single, interconnected system. From orbit, astronauts witness our planet and ecosystems at the most macro level, and observe the visible impacts of climate change unfolding across continents and oceans.

Sara Beery, assistant professor of AI and Decision Making in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, develops AI tools that help scientists monitor biodiversity and understand how ecosystems are changing. Her research uses machine learning to analyze image datasets, pixel by pixel, from camera traps and satellites, allowing researchers to detect patterns in wildlife populations that may otherwise go unnoticed. With her background in AI and conservation, Beery sees technology as an incredible tool to tackle the challenges of climate change. 

Together, their experiences will highlight how science, technology, and exploration can help learners and educators better understand climate change and enact solutions together. 

Day of Climate will also feature speakers and student voices from across the MIT community and beyond. Participants include Claudia Urrea; Sherry Lassiter, director of Fab Labs; and student panelists Ananda Santos Figueiredo ‘25, senior Jacqueline Prawira, and Salem High School senior Rylan Workman. The conversation will be moderated by Ellis Klein of MIT Open Learning. 

Climate education for all 

More than just an annual event, Day of Climate makes high-quality, interdisciplinary climate education freely available. It equips educators and learners worldwide with the knowledge and tools needed to address sustainability challenges locally. Since the launch of Day of Climate and its open curriculum resources, educators from more than 20 countries have accessed the materials, demonstrating the global reach of MIT’s climate education efforts for young people.

Looking ahead, Day of Climate aims to continue expanding its impact through new collaborations, professional development engagements, youth challenges, and future events that bring together experts, educators, and learners committed to building a more sustainable future.

Register to attend the Day of Climate event. 

Can’t attend? Watch the livestream.