Glad you’re here!
Smithsonian + Chesapeake Math & IT Academy in Laurel, Maryland
Be Tik Tok Worthy! ~ Empowering Teens to Lead Environmental Action July 27, 2022
Introductions & Session Agenda Jessica Cunning
Social Studies Department Chair Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Brittany Gonzalez Biogeochemical Systems and Forensics Teacher Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Brian Coyle Program Manager Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Jennifer Brundage National Outreach Manager Smithsonian Affiliations
Images courtesy of the speakers.
Gen Z + Climate There is opportunity (and urgent need) in sustainability and conservation for everyone. 59% of teens are “extremely” worried about climate change Over 45% report that their feelings about climate change "negatively affect their daily life and functioning” ~25% of teens earn a passing grade in accurate knowledge about climate change
What is Earth Optimism? A change in the narrative about climate change
• From doom and gloom • Action
hope and agency
Solutions
• Broadly sharing success A celebration of what is working in conservation and the plentiful, inspiring solutions taken at every scale worldwide, to be replicated by anyone, anywhere. EarthOptimism.si.edu
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian
Getting started Formal and informal educators complement one another in important ways
Image courtesy of Jessica Cunning
Benefits of formal-informal collaboration • Field trips • Guest speakers • Seed funding • Reinforcing assignments • Leadership development • Interactions with
industry professionals
Images courtesy of the World Wildlife Fund and Smithsonian
Student goals for the EO Club “a place for me to work, collaborate and learn more about my project” “getting feedback to make my ideas real” "working with others to help come up with solutions to a problem that we felt was relevant and needed attention.“ CMIT club participants
Supporting resources • Wakelet boards & Padlets • Club Google Drive folder • Jamboard brainstorms • Budget & timeline templates • Informational interview outline • Project planner templates • SMART goals checklist • Seed funding judging rubric
Elevator Pitches
Image courtesy of the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Student Boards
Image courtesy of the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Student Research, Assignments, Inspiration
Image courtesy of the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy
Brainstorming
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian
Presentations
Images courtesy of the Chesapeake Math and IT Academy and the Smithsonian
Presentation Day!
Images courtesy of the Smithsonian
Seed funding
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian
$2200 awarded to 6 teams
Communication
Image courtesy of Brittany Gonzalez
Earth Optimists
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian
Evaluation Did you gain useful knowledge or skills? Like what? §
…such as time management, organization and communication. I learned/got more practice at proper public speaking and how to be professional.
§
I gained more knowledge on presenting, researching, and tackling almost every aspect of coming up with a solution to an issue.
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how to work with different people or programs, how to split up work in projects, and how to present with others effectively.
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..specifically public speaking, collaboration and time management.
§
I never really liked presenting because I usually am not that loud so when I did present I was loud and confident.
Takeaways
“My favorite part was seeing all of my ideas and hard work turn into an actual proposal and next semester something I will physically enact at my school.”
How about YOU?
Crowdsource Brainstorm How can you tie your subject area into action ideas for the environment? What partners can you collaborate with to complement your teaching about the environment?
Please put your answers in the q & a box
More information • Learning Lab collection • Jennifer – BrundageJ@si.edu • Brian – CoyleB@si.edu • s.si.edu/EcoYouthAction
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian
Image courtesy of the Smithsonian