April is Earth Month so we thought it would be fitting to promote the 2011 Summer Institute!

All grades 3-12 educators are invited to join the Will Steger Foundation on an Exploration of Minnesota’s Changing Climate at the Summer Institute August 11- 12, 2011.

The Summer Institute will be held at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN. This year’s Institute will focus on the Will Steger Foundation’s new Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund project: Minnesota’s Changing Climate; Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship Through Adventure Learning.

Participating grades 6-8 classrooms from the metro area are eligible for $500 grants due to a unique partnership with the National Park Foundation, Mississippi National River and Recreational Area (National Park Service) and Mississippi River Fund. For more information about the institute, please visit Will Steger Foundation Summer Institute

You can see what happened at last years institute by visiting: 2010 Summer Institute Recap

Will Steger with Northland Students

One of our key relationships directly connected to sustainability has been our on-going relationship with the Will Steger Foundation. The WSF understands the vital role food production plays in the bigger picture of sustainability. They provide to-notch, science-based education for educators to help instruct the upcoming generations on climate change. Each year the WSF sponsors an education outreach called the Summer Institute.

This year, the 4th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education is on Wednesday August 19th, 8:30-4:30 pm at the University of Minnesota. Applications available for download: www.globalwarming101.com

The Summer Institute will focus on the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen and unveil a brand new curriculum on international climate solutions for grades 9-12. Keynote speakers include renowned author and climate activist, Bill McKibben, along with Will Steger.

Registration opens in May for 100 onsite participants ($75/teacher or $100/pair) and an unlimited number of participants for our online webinar ($25/teacher). Onsite participants will receive the Citizen Climate Curriculum and online participants will be able to download the curriculum free of charge from the Global Warming 101 website.

The institute will highlight the critical need for international cooperation on climate change solutions, and equip educators with the tools necessary to empower student learning and leadership on the topic. Educators will also learn about the Midwest youth delegation to Copenhagen, led by the Will Steger Foundation, and ways that they can follow the youth experience online through multi-media dispatches including text, images, and video. The Summer Institute will include break-out sessions on topics addressed in the curriculum, including cap and trade vs. carbon tax; equity in negotiation; climate technologies; carbon cycle and more. Visit www.globalwarming101.com to watch the Summer Institute video, download the application and learn more.