The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative (MU CCLC) was developed by Michelle Schpakow, Ed.D., Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., and Peter Jacques, Ph.D. in collaboration with Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI), the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC), and Monmouth Conservation Foundation. With the funding support of the NJ Department of Education’s Expanding Access to Climate Change and NJ Student Learning Grant, the MU CCLC will prepare NJ K-12 teachers to teach climate change in developmentally appropriate ways across all grade levels and subject areas. Monmouth Conservation Foundation, NJ Sea Grant Consortium, and the Urban Coast Institute will offer place-based curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Department of Education; this material and any opinions, results, conclusions, or recommendations expressed within are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Jersey Department of Education nor constitute an endorsement thereof. The MU CCLC program began in June 2024 and will continue to offer professional development events multiple times each month through March 2025.
Teachers and administrators from New Jersey public schools are eligible to attend Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities and use services provided by the Climate Change Learning Collaborative. Teachers from New Jersey public schools are eligible to receive a stipend for attending Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities outside contracted hours and substitute teacher coverage for attending Climate Change Learning Collaborative events/opportunities at an offsite location during contracted hours. Teachers will be required to complete a post-event/opportunity survey to receive a stipend or substitute teacher coverage. The MU CCLC’s partnering Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Monmouth County, Mercer County, and Union County will be given priority in event/opportunity attendance and the disbursement of stipends or substitute teacher coverage.
The MU CCLC team is here to offer support and answer questions between sessions. Sign up for email announcements and reminders from our team or email us at MUclimateeducation@monmouth.edu. We look forward to working with you!
Upcoming Professional Development Sessions
The Politics and Policy of Climate Change
January 6, 2025, 4 – 5 p.m., Zoom
Climate politics and policy covers both domestic and international components of central political struggles as well as the structure of international agreements. We will also cover the rejection of climate science and other hurdles to mitigating climate change. This session will repeat the event held on October 7, 2024. Register for The Politics and Policy of Climate Change 2.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 9-12)
January 8, 2025, 3:15 – 5:15 p.m., Zoom
Grade 9-12 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the secondary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards. Register for Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 9-12).
Coaching & Collaboration
January 16, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
Please join us for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change and human health, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
The presentation will take place in Edison Hall Room 201. You will find Edison Science Hall (#30) on the campus map. Please park in the main lot when visiting campus. Unfortunately, there will not be any food or beverages served during the event, but you may bring your own or visit the student center (#26 on the map). Please let us know if you have any questions. The event will be limited to the first 35 registrants, with priority given to those in partnering LEAs. Register for January Coaching and Collaboration.
Transforming Relationships for Global Sustainability
January 21, 2025, 3 – 5 p.m., Zoom
This professional development session will explore issues in sustainability through the lens of transforming relationships between humans and the environment. Practical ideas for sustainability initiatives in schools will be discussed. Workshop time will be provided for participants to plan for sustainability initiatives in their own schools with the support of session facilitators and in collaboration with other participants. This session will repeat the event held on October 28, 2024. Register for Transforming Relationships for Global Sustainability.
Exploring the “How” of Sustainability Transformations
January 27, 2025, 6:30 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
Addressing the climate crisis and related challenges provides many opportunities for promoting sustainability transformations. Yet significant questions remain about what such transformations might entail, how to support them, and how to sustain and scale these efforts. This talk explores the practical, political, and personal dimensions of transformation, drawing upon the model of the “Three Spheres of Transformation”. The talk also considers recent efforts to promote sustainability transformations, based upon the speaker’s work with university students and her on-going research on bicycling and non-motorized transportation infrastructure. The talk discusses implications and lessons learned from these case examples for fostering and supporting transformative change.
Robin Leichenko, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor of geography as well as dean of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Rutgers University. Her research explores the economic and equity dimensions of climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. Leichenko has led or served on climate change assessments for the City of New York, New Jersey, New York State, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The second edition of her book, “Climate and Society: Transforming the Future” (Polity Press, with Karen O’Brien), was released in summer 2024.
The presentation will take place in Pollak Theatre. You will find Pollak Theatre (#33) on the campus map. Please park in the main lot when visiting campus. Compensation for this event is only available if you attend the corresponding follow-up session on February 3rd at 4:30 PM on Zoom. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Climate Change, Human Health, and Hope for the Future
January 30, 2025, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Zoom
Climate change is a public health emergency in many respects. In this session, we will review how climate change increases the likelihood of severe weather and its impacts on human health. We will review the major vector borne diseases that will increase under global heating as well as respiratory and heat-related illnesses. We will also discuss the co-benefits to human health of some climate mitigation strategies such as electric cars and stoves. Climate Anxiety and Climate Dread are among the mental health challenges worsened by climate change we will also discuss hopeful signs and events. At the end of the session, participants will work with other teachers at their grade level to brainstorm appropriate lessons for their students.
This event was originally scheduled for Dec. 3 but has been postponed and moved to Zoom due to scheduling conflicts.
Register for Climate Change and Human Health.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
January 31, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Life Sciences Focus (Grades K-5)
Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning on topics such as species diversity, food webs, changes in weather patterns, and how these changes can affect coastal ecosystems. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components (weather permitting) utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Please register for this experiential learning opportunity by January 27, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.
Climate Challenge: Setting and Reaching Sustainable Goals for ELA Climate Education (Grades K-12)
February 3, 2025, 4:30-5:30, Zoom
This professional development session will focus on implementing a sustainability challenge into the classroom with attention to ELA learning standards, maintaining optimism, and promoting activism. This assignment encourages students to make sustainable decisions in their lives and to develop their abilities to speak and write effectively on climate change at the local and global level. The modeled assignment will explore the personal, political, and practical dimensions of sustainability, and so we find it paramount to promote a hopeful outlook of the future to our students so they understand the individual difference they can make. We will also provide example activities, prompts, and objectives necessary for implementing this assignment with variations for all grade band groups (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12). This event is suitable for administrators and teachers of all grade levels.
This is a follow-up session to the Climate Teach-In on January 27th, 2025: “Exploring the ‘How’ of Sustainability Transformations” with Robin Leichenko, Ph.D. In order to be compensated for both events, you must have attended and signed in at both the event on January 27th and this event (February 3rd).
Register for Climate Challenge: Setting and Reaching Sustainable Goals for ELA Climate Education (Grades K-12).
Biodiversity and Climate Change Impacts
February 4, 2025, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
Climate change is an emergency for many plants and animals and causes them to become stressed and lose habitat for living and breeding. Climate change also causes ecological mismatches between organisms in symbiotic relationships, such as pollinators and plants or animals and the plants or animals they feed on. Many different biological examples of current climate impacts on the living world will be discussed as well as solutions to the climate mediated biodiversity crisis. This session is appropriate for middle and high school teachers as well as for others who just want to deepen their own understanding of the threats to life on Earth.
The presentation will take place in Edison Hall Room 384. You will find Edison Science Hall (#30) on the campus map. Please park in the main lot when visiting campus. Unfortunately, there will not be any food or beverages served during the event, but you may bring your own or visit the student center (#26 on the map). Please let us know if you have any questions. The event will be limited to the first 25 registrants, with priority given to those in partnering LEAs. Register for Biodiversity and Climate Change Impacts.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades K-2)
February 10, 2025, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Zoom
Grade K-2 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the primary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards. Register for Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades K-2).
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
February 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Climate Change and the Ocean (Grades 6-12)
Grade 6-12 educators will explore the science of climate change in greater depth, and how it affects the chemical and physical properties of the ocean. Using models, topics such as storm surge, ocean acidification and sea level rise will be explored with both laboratory activities and field studies. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components (weather permitting) utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All materials and field equipment will be provided by NJSGC. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Please register for this experiential learning opportunity by February 7, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.
Coaching & Collaboration
February 21, 2025, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers. Register for February Coaching and Collaboration.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
February 26, 2025, 2 – 4 p.m., Monmouth County (outdoor location TBD)
Natural Climate Solutions
There is a growing sense of urgency that we must work on climate change and impact on multiple levels. Minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in alternative and renewable energy economies, and household efficiencies are important. At the same time, protection and stewardship of natural landscapes also offers multiple benefits. Natural climate solutions offer immediate and cost-effective ways to address the climate crisis. Natural climate solutions include habitat restoration, wetland protection, supporting natural landscapes, agricultural practices, and land conservation. Participants will explore principles and primary examples of natural climate solutions and how these can connect to examples in our communities, neighborhoods, and schoolyards. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Natural Climate Solutions Workshop.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
February 28, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Ocean Processes Focus (K-5)
Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Ocean processes will be the focus of this workshop as educators learn about the factors that shape our coastlines by exploring currents, wave action, sediment erosion/accretion, and physical and chemical characteristics of the ocean. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based frameworks to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen and bug spray are always a good idea, as are hats when conditions are sunny and hot. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Please register for this experiential learning opportunity by February 25, 2024. Space is limited to 30 participants, with preference given to partnering LEAs.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
March 1, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Mercer County (outdoor location TBD)
Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace (LNT)
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a framework for responsible use and stewardship of natural areas. While our actions often have some degree of local or global impact, we can be aware of and attempt to minimize such impacts to protect and preserve resources for others to enjoy. Through a focus on Leave No Trace, workshop participants will explore how these principles can guide ethical and practical solutions for enjoying the outdoors, in one’s daily life, and in a climate-concerned world. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace Workshop.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
March 5, 2025, 2 – 4 p.m., Monmouth County (outdoor location TBD)
Natural Climate Solutions
There is a growing sense of urgency that we must work on climate change and impact on multiple levels. Minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in alternative and renewable energy economies, and household efficiencies are important. At the same time, protection and stewardship of natural landscapes also offers multiple benefits. Natural climate solutions offer immediate and cost-effective ways to address the climate crisis. Natural climate solutions include habitat restoration, wetland protection, supporting natural landscapes, agricultural practices, and land conservation. Participants will explore principles and primary examples of natural climate solutions and how these can connect to examples in our communities, neighborhoods, and schoolyards. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Natural Climate Solutions Workshop.
Using the En-ROADS Climate Simulator for Understanding Climate Solutions
March 6, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Zoom
This session, which will be presented by Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., a biologist and climate science educator, is designed for teachers of grades 8 through 12. Teachers will focus on climate solutions using the En-ROADS decision support model. En-ROADS is a tool that uses a slightly simplified version of the climate model used by the United Nations to help users understand the impacts of different climate solutions. In this session, Dr. Duckett will lead the participants in an activity that can be used directly in classrooms. En-ROADS provides materials for teachers to use in their own classrooms. Some of these materials will be provided to registrants prior to the session. Come prepared to save life on the planet and negotiate with other participants to do so! Register for Using the En-ROADS Climate Simulator. This session will repeat the event held on July 23, 2024.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
March 8, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Human Impacts Focus (K-5)
Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Causes of climate change and impacts on coastal communities and ocean environments will be the focus of this workshop as educators learn about flooding and sea level rise, species migration and food chains, and renewable energy sources. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based frameworks to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen is always a good idea, as are hats when conditions require. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Please register for this experiential learning opportunity by March 4, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants, with preference given to partnering LEAs.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
March 8, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Union County (outdoor location TBD)
Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy
Using the outdoor classroom (schoolyard or park) is an excellent opportunity to engage students in experiential placed-based learning. The outdoor classroom lends itself to creating environmental awareness and literacy across many issues, including climate change. Participants will review best practices for maximizing outcomes for teaching in an outdoor environment. Relevant aspects include safety and preparation, experiential learning cycle, and sense of place activities. Additionally, the workshop will focus on how to leverage the environment to explore climate related topics and include observation, measurement and data collection, mapping, and introduction to environmental and climate relationships. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy Workshop.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
March 12, 2025, 2 – 4 p.m., Monmouth County (outdoor location TBD)
Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy
Using the outdoor classroom (schoolyard or park) is an excellent opportunity to engage students in experiential placed-based learning. The outdoor classroom lends itself to creating environmental awareness and literacy across many issues, including climate change. Participants will review best practices for maximizing outcomes for teaching in an outdoor environment. Relevant aspects include safety and preparation, experiential learning cycle, and sense of place activities. Additionally, the workshop will focus on how to leverage the environment to explore climate related topics and include observation, measurement and data collection, mapping, and introduction to environmental and climate relationships. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy Workshop.
Coaching & Collaboration
March 12, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. This is a time to work with other district professionals in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts. You may also want to use this time to prepare for the culminating Showcase Event. Register for March Coaching and Collaboration.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
March 14, 2025, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Communities and the Cost of Climate Change (Grades 6-12)
Grade 6-12 educators will examine the economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities and how some populations are disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. Topics such as coastal resilience, ecosystem dynamics, and biodiversity will be explored with laboratory activities and field studies (weather permitting). This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based frameworks to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen is always a good idea, as are hats when conditions require. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Please register for this experiential learning opportunity by March 11, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants, with preference given to partnering LEAs.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
March 15, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Monmouth County (outdoor location TBD)
Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a framework for responsible use and stewardship of natural areas. While our actions often have some degree of local or global impact, we can be aware of and attempt to minimize such impacts to protect and preserve resources for others to enjoy. Through a focus on Leave No Trace, workshop participants will explore how these principles can guide ethical and practical solutions for enjoying the outdoors, in one’s daily life, and in a climate-concerned world. Location details will be added to this site as well as emailed to participants once confirmed. Register for Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace Workshop.
2024-2025 Culminating Showcase Event
March 20, 2025, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
Please save the date! The Monmouth University CCLC will host the 2024-2025 Culminating Showcase Event on March 20, 2025. This event is mandatory for all partnering LEAs and highly recommended for all other school districts. Teams of teachers, administrators, and groups of students are encouraged to create posters and other displays to share with colleagues around the state highlighting their accomplishments and progress toward implementing the NJ climate change education standards. The MU CCLC is prepared to assist with the creation of display materials. Please reach out to MUClimateEducation@monmouth.edu for assistance. The symposium for sharing accomplishments will be the main focus of the event, however, we will also be facilitating other activities such as a panel discussion, activities and prizes for K-12 students, sharing sessions with Monmouth Conservation Foundation and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, demonstrations by sponsors, and more!
The Showcase Event will take place in Anacon Hall. You will find Anacon Hall on the second floor of the Rebecca Stafford Student Center (#26) on the campus map. Please park in the main lot when visiting campus. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. on the Student Center patio. Each registrant (including K-12 students, teachers, and administrators) will need to sign a photo release form. These may be uploaded during the registration process or emailed to MUClimateEducation@monmouth.edu. Due to this event falling on a workday, teachers will not be paid to attend, however, school districts may request reimbursement for substitute teachers. We look forward to celebrating with you in March! Register your district for the 2024-2025 Culminating Showcase Event.