Climate Change Education: Empowering New Jersey’s Nonformal Educators

In 2020, NJ became the first state in the US to incorporate climate change education into all K-12 content areas.

This professional learning workshop is designed to support New Jersey’s nonformal educators in confidently and effectively teaching climate change through engaging, learner-centered experiences. The program focuses on building both content knowledge and instructional capacity, ensuring educators feel prepared to facilitate meaningful climate learning in a variety of nonformal settings.

Participants will deepen their understanding of climate change science while exploring Jersey-centric, hands-on, and outdoor lessons that connect local climate impacts to global systems. Through guided activities and model lessons, educators will experience strategies they can immediately adapt for use with their own audiences.

The workshop also supports educators in aligning existing programs with New Jersey Climate Change Standards, helping them strengthen connections between informal learning experiences and formal education goals. Dedicated time for collaboration and discussion will allow participants to share ideas, refine lessons, and learn from peers across the state.

By the end of the workshop, educators will leave with increased confidence, practical teaching tools, and a supportive professional network—empowered to engage learners in relevant, action-oriented climate change education.

Tentative Schedule (Rain or shine)

FRIDAY

• 4:00 – 5:00pm – Arrive and settle in to cabins
• 6:00 – 7:00pm – Dinner – please bring your own
• 7:00 – 7:45pm – Paddle on Lake Wapalanne
• 8:00pm – Campfire + Storytelling

SATURDAY

• 7:00 – 8:00am – Morning walk (optional)
• 8:00 – 8:45am – Breakfast (provided by NJSOC)
• 9:00 – 9:30am – Welcome and Introductions
• 9:30 – 10:30am – The Basic Science of Climate Change
• 10:30am-10:45am- Break
• 10:45-11:30- The New Jersey Climate-Change Education Standards for Nonformal Educators
• 11:45 – 12:45pm – Lunch (provided by NJSOC)
• 1:00 – 2:15pm – Ephemeral Art & Poetry of Climate Change
• 2:30 – 3:45pm – NJ Wildlife: Using iNaturalist to Explore Climate Change Issues
• 3:45 – 4:00pm –Workshop Summation & Gratitudes
• 4:00pm – Departure

Workshop Details:

This workshop is presented through a collaboration of the NJSOC and the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education with generous support from National Geographic and a private donor.

This workshop is open to New Jersey nonformal educators (employed by zoos, nature centers, museums, community organizations, correctional facilities, etc.). Registration fee includes breakfast and lunch, overnight accommodations in cabin-style housing and all workshop materials.

Educators will receive $150 stipends upon completion of the workshop.

Please contact Tanya Sulikowski, NJSOC Director of Education, with any questions. tsulikowski@njsoc.org

Refund Policy:

Your event fee, minus Eventbrite Fees, is fully refundable if canceled 7 or more days before the event. While we appreciate being notified if you are unable to attend an event, refunds are not given for cancellations within 7 days of the event.

If we must cancel an event, your registration fee, including Eventbrite fees, will be refunded.