Third Year of Engaging Youth with Climate Action Kits
For the past 3 years, the Community Climate Collaborative has worked in partnership with the Virginia Discovery Museum, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and local science teachers to deliver Climate Action Kits to local elementary school students. This year we delivered more kits than ever! These kits are full of hands-on activities for students to interact with climate solutions in their classrooms and at home. Educating our youth not just about climate change, but also about solutions is important, as one day our youth are going to be the ones to have to tackle the results of the actions that we take now. Check out the stories below!
Charlottesville City Schools
On Friday, May 12, 2023, the Community Climate Collaborative (C3) and the Virginia Discovery Museum in partnership with the City of Charlottesville delivered 330 Climate Action Activity Kits to Walker Upper Elementary School 5th Graders. The kits were designed to help students gain a greater understanding of home water and energy use and climate emissions, while connecting families to local energy and water-efficiency solutions.
The kits include a classroom energy scavenger hunt; a grow-a-salad garden kit; a windmill building activity; an electric bus art worksheet; a solar-powered night light; a summary booklet of Charlottesville’s brand new Climate Action Plan; and going home with parents is a grown-up guide with information on local rebates and energy efficiency resources; and a water leak detection activity. Kits are offered in both English and Spanish.
"It's going to take all of us working together, including kids and their families, to reach our community climate goals. Teaching kids about solutions and enabling them to take action is an important step in the right direction. The City's Environmental Sustainability Team is so happy to be able to partner with C3 and the Virginia Discovery Museum to reach Charlottesville students," said Emily Irvine, the Climate Protection Program Manager for the City of Charlottesville.
“The Virginia Discovery Museum was delighted to partner with C3 to create Climate Action Kits to support Charlottesville City School students. These kits are part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to support our community’s students in hands-on learning and scientific exploration, and to engage local youth in thinking about how to be good stewards in their community,” said Virginia Discovery Museum Executive Director, Janine Dozier.
“Partnering with the City of Charlottesville and the Virginia Discovery Museum again was a pleasure, and it's great they are helping us get kids engaged with energy conservation and the Climate Action Plan. I am so excited to see the kids use the Climate Action Kits and interact with climate solutions in a hands-on way!” said Sarah Delgado, Finance and Operations Manager at C3.
Albemarle County Public Schools
On Tuesday, April 24, 2023, The Community Climate Collaborative (C3), in partnership with the Virginia Discovery Museum and Albemarle County science teachers, will delivered Climate Action Activity Kits to over 1,000 4th graders in 13 Albemarle County Public Elementary Schools. The kits were designed to help students gain a greater understanding of home and school energy use and climate emissions while connecting families to local energy-efficiency solutions.
The kits include a classroom energy scavenger hunt; a grow-a-salad garden kit; a windmill building activity; an electric bus art worksheet; a solar-powered night light; and going home with parents is a grown-up guide with information on local rebates and energy efficiency resources.
Individual Climate Action Activity Kits, in both English and Spanish, were delivered to Agnor-Hurt, Baker-Butler, Broadus Wood, Brownsville, Crozet, Hollymead, Meriwether Lewis, Mountain View, Murray, Red Hill Elementary, Scottsville, Stone Robinson, Stony Point, and Woodbrook Elementary Schools early in April.
“The Virginia Discovery Museum is delighted to partner with C3 and Albemarle County Schools to create Climate Action Kits. These kits are part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to support our community’s youngest members in continuing their hands-on learning through play, and to engage children in thinking about how to be good stewards in their community,” said Executive Director for Virginia Discovery Museum, Janine Dozier.
“In 4th grade, students learn about where they fit in the solar system. As they move from the solar system to learn about their specific ecosystem here in Charlottesville and Albemarle, students examine how features of plants and animals support life and the impact of pollution. Over the next two weeks, students will be learning about natural resources and their impact on the economy. We are excited to partner with C3 to provide activities that can be shared with students in the classroom and at home. These lessons provide an opportunity for teachers to educate our students about their impact on the environment,” said Katina Dudley, Lead Science Coach for Albemarle County Public Schools.
"Albemarle County is pleased to partner again with C3 to increase awareness of local energy efficiency programs, support classroom activities for kids, and educate our community’s next generation of climate leaders – all components of the County’s Climate Action Plan. Young people around the world are at the forefront of calls for bold climate solutions, and C3's local youth engagement programs are an important response to those calls,” said Gabe Dayley, Climate Protection Program Manager for Albemarle County.
“It was great to see even larger participation with the climate action kits this year. I’m looking forward to the teachers and students getting hands-on experience with climate solutions in their classrooms. We hope the kids are able to learn something and have fun, and that the conversation about saving energy is one that continues at home!” said Sarah Delgado, Finance and Operations Manager for C3.
We’d like to extend a sincere thanks to the following funders on this project: Charlottesville Office of Sustainability, Albemarle County FES, Bama Works, the D.N. Batten Foundation, Genan Foundation, Hartfield Foundation, and the Virginia Environmental Endowment.