Empowering educators and learners to take climate action
By Mariah Rawding
Day of Climate, an initiative led by the pK-12 team at MIT Open Learning, is hosting an in-person event on April 16 to highlight the significant contributions of MIT researchers, educators, and learners in the field of climate science and sustainability. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including Jaylen Brown, NBA champion and Finals MVP for the Boston Celtics.
Working alongside MIT’s Climate Action Through Education and Earth Day Boston, the event will be hosted at the MIT Museum, a hub of creativity and collaboration on campus.
“Day of Climate at MIT is a powerful reminder of the importance of coming together to support young people and their educators,” says Claudia Urrea, executive director of the MIT pK-12 Initiative and Day of Climate director. “Together, we set an example and establish networks of support that will help shape the leaders of tomorrow.”
The Day of Climate event will bring together MIT faculty, educators, learners, and local community members to celebrate the efforts of K-12 learners tackling climate change. Among the diverse lineup of speakers is Jaylen Brown, NBA champion and the MIT Media Lab Director’s fellow. Beyond his incredible achievements on the court, Brown has been dedicated to building bridges for young people in underserved communities, helping them access existing opportunities and resources to create a more equitable, just, and sustainable society.
Other speakers include NBC Boston’s Pete Bouchard, a meteorology expert and climate activist, and Yashasvi Raj of University of Cambridge, a leader in cutting-edge climate research.
Attendees and invited guests will participate in interactive panels, hands-on demonstrations of grantees’ curricula, and workshops designed to advance climate education and action, providing insights into the latest scientific developments, innovative solutions, and effective advocacy strategies.
A cornerstone of education
Beyond this event, Day of Climate is a new initiative dedicated to equipping K-12 learners and educators with the tools and knowledge to better understand climate change, its impacts, and potential solutions through concise, hands-on resources, activities, and curricula. Aligning with MIT Open Learning’s mission of transforming teaching and learning at MIT and around the globe, Day of Climate’s resources and materials are open, accessible, and free for everyone regardless of their geographical location or institutional affiliation.
Awarding nearly $125K in grants to support curriculum development to seven groups across the Institute, the Day of Climate effort unites the MIT community and educators, locally and globally, in empowering the next generation to take meaningful action on climate and sustainability challenges.
“I hope our project [Climate Change Below Water] empowers students from all backgrounds to use data collection and analysis to better understand real-world issues, including complex challenges like climate change,” says Ava Muffoletto, a junior at MIT, Day of Climate grantee, and part of MIT App Inventor. “I want learners to apply these skills beyond the classroom, instilling curiosity about how they can address problems in their own communities and create meaningful change.”
By making high-quality, interdisciplinary climate education freely available, the Day of Climate initiative empowers educators and learners worldwide with practical tools to address sustainability challenges in their communities. In just a few weeks since the curriculum became available, educators from India to Panama have already accessed the curricula and materials, demonstrating how MIT’s climate education impacts educators and learners across the globe.
Looking ahead, Day of Climate aims to expand its reach through continued collaboration, new grant opportunities, and future events that unite experts, educators, and learners in tackling the world’s most pressing climate issues.
“By elevating the voices of community leaders from MIT and local organizations, we aim to unite our voices to inspire future generations to lead with passion, knowledge, and a commitment to sustainability,” says Urrea.
Empowering educators and learners to take climate action was originally published in MIT Open Learning on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.