Youth Climate Institute

08/25/2026

Our Maryland students are getting back into the classroom! Last year we had 400+ students participate in 43 chapters across 37 sites across Maryland.

YCI is currently active in Prince George's County Public Schools, Howard County Public School System, Baltimore County Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, Baltimore City Public Schools, Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS), Montgomery County Public Schools, Talbot County Public Schools, and Queen Anne's County Public Schools. We're looking forward to seeing what 2026-2027 holds for the young climate leaders participating in our home state!

Pictured: students from PGCPS, HCPS, BCPS, and FCPS participating in their 2025-2026 action projects.

08/17/2026

Learn about common myths and misconceptions surrounding climate change at this great, FREE webinar provided by SERC! Join them live tomorrow evening or register to receive the recording to watch after.

Last year, Anna Davis from SERC presented our annual Climate Science workshop! YCI chapters can view this recording any time on our learning portal as well.

Next Tuesday at 7pm ET: How can humor help combat misinformation? Ellen Prager and Dave Jones, a marine biologist and meteorologist duo turned authors, are hosting our next free evening science webinar. Learn how misinformation spreads, get a preview of their recent book and hear some of the most frequent (and funniest) questions scientists have gotten about the ocean, weather and climate.

This webinar will be recorded. Sign up online to join live or receive a link to the recording at https://s.si.edu/4g3Vnkm

08/11/2026

Between the green energy industry, environmental scientists and climatologists, and climate policy, there's huge potential in climate careers for high school and college students.

This great story from National Environmental Education Foundation - NEEF highlights what educators, parents, and students themselves can do to prepare for a career in sustainability: https://buff.ly/uZqytVR

The Youth Climate Institute is a great, easy way to incorporate environmental learning and skills-building into your program. Learn more at youthclimateleader.org

Learn how students can prepare for environmental science careers through STEM education, college planning, internships, and hands-on experience.

08/04/2026

What better day than International Owl Awareness Day to show off this incredible picture?

This awesome shot features a collection of feathers submitted by Youth Climate Institute students sharing their thoughts about climate change and Billie Eilish's generous donation to climate organizations nationwide. In the forefront is The Howard County Conservancy owl ambassador, Ranger!

Last year, Billie Eilish and her fans helped the Youth Climate Institute launch new chapters and support action projects across 13 states in the U.S. thanks to Billie’s Changemaker program from her HIT ME HARD AND SOFT tour. Read more about how Billie and her fans are supporting YCI: https://buff.ly/o13kCe5

07/30/2026

Our next interest meeting session is next Tuesday, August 4!

With 70+ chapters already on board for the 2026-2027 school year, YCI is an expanding national movement to educate and certify the next generation of climate leaders... and we want you to be a part of it!

Want to bring the Youth Climate Institute to your school or site and start making real environmental impact in your community? Join an interest meeting to learn how!

These are very brief, virtual sessions that tell you all you need to know to hit the ground running with the Youth Climate Institute.

Register here: https://buff.ly/QQ0fTsx

None of these times work for you? Schedule a one-on-one with a member of our team: https://buff.ly/TQ9PFJJ

07/28/2026

Happy World Conservation Day from The Youth Climate Institute! Every year, YCI students from across the country work hard to promote conservation in their communities and protect local environmental legacy.

07/24/2026

In May, the University of West Alabama Black Belt STEM Education Institute led the Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit (AL-YASS).

A group of over 130 students, teachers, scientists, community partners, and volunteers came together for a 2-day immersive experience in a nature-based setting to engage in sustainability solutions through hands-on workshops, artistic expression, field experiences, and shared learning.

UWA Black Belt STEM is a YCI Hub that supports YCI activities in Alabama, and we're happy to highlight some of the great work they're doing supporting these young activists and scientists.

Here is their make takeaway from the summit: "The highlight of the event was the student share-a-thon, where students presented their action projects from the school year leading up to AL-YASS, with topics including microplastics, aquaponics, food waste, slime mold, water quality, fashion pollution, city beautification, and mental health. Evaluation surveys indicate significant impact on students' research confidence, communication skills, and sustainability engagement."

"Students shared that before the event they thought they had no influence on sustainability, or that it could only be achieved by grown-ups, but through AL-YASS they learned that they can make a real difference and there are many people who care."

Click here to learn more about what they do: https://buff.ly/Zl7n7QZ
Click here to learn more about AL-YASS: https://buff.ly/Zl7n7QZ

07/17/2026

We're so grateful to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for awarding The Youth Climate Institute a Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities grant to support four Baltimore chapters in the 2025-2026 school year! Thanks to this generous funding, we were able to provide stipends and action project funding to Sparrow's Point High School, Watershed Public Charter School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, and Academy for College and Career Exploration. Together, these four chapters:

- Raised an additional $2,000 in grant funding
- Installed 16 raised beds
- Installed 42 native plants installed
- Collected 45 large bags of litter collected across several clean-up events throughout Baltimore (estimated 1,000 lbs)
- Positively impacted 2,500+ Baltimore residents

Thank you CBT for continuing to invest in the next generation of climate leaders!

07/13/2026

Don't miss our Food Waste professional development session tomorrow! This FREE, VIRTUAL learning opportunity is great for both formal and informal educators.

Register here: https://buff.ly/79JnjBh

07/09/2026

This weekend is your last chance to catch the Claiming the Future art exhibition at Crow's Nest! Stop by anytime between 1PM and 4PM on Saturday, July 11 to see youth voices on display.

Student Climate Change Art Showcase Join The Youth Climate Institute at “Claiming the Future,” an art showcase and contest featuring works from high school and college students. Running on Saturdays from June 13th through July 11th (closed on July 4th) in Baltimore, Maryland, the exhibit is a ...