Champion the Cause

Your Climate, Your Generation, Your Future, Your Voice!

Join an international network of young people solving the global climate crisis by taking local action.

This August, the British Council, in partnership with the California Air Resources Board and the Will Steger Foundation, will launch the Climate Generation School Leadership Program. This is a school based competition connecting environmental curriculum with climate action projects. High Schools in California and Minnesota are eligible to participate in the program.

Why should we participate?

• Opportunity to work together as a team to do something positive for your school
• Gain exposure to international network of climate projects
• Be eligible to participate in the Student Leadership Program
• Be eligible to receive grant funding for your project
• Educator professional development opportunities in Climate Education**
• State-wide and national recognition
• Participate in publicity and media events
• For submitted projects, each student will receive a participation certificate
• Have access to:
  • Partner and project database of non-profit organizations and existing projects willing to assist with project implementation at your school
  • Project planning tools
  • International projects
  • Climate and environmental curriculum and lesson plans

Summer opportunity for California teachers to attend the Will Steger Foundation’s Fifth Annual Institute for Climate Change Education on Thursday August 12th. Full funding available for TWO teachers from California to attend the conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additionally, funding is also available for TEN Teachers to participate in the Institute via webinar. For more information please contact Judy Nottoli, California Air Resources Board at jnottoli@arb.ca.gov.

How it works:

• Between August and December, schools or classrooms must register their intent to participate in the program on the Climate Generation website (launching in August 2010)
• There is no cost to participate

• Schools or classrooms will then engage in a climate action project related to one of these topics areas:
  ­ Energy Conservation;
  ­ Renewable Energy;
  ­ Water Conservation;
  ­ Transportation;
  ­ Purchasing;
  ­ Facilities;
  ­ Awareness/Communication

• Projects must be completed by April 1,2011, when project reports must be submitted for judging

• The winning projects will be announced in May 2011
• Winning projects will have the opportunity to receive project funding and/or other awards (see below for additional awards and participation incentives)
• Must complete a project that benefits your school and the environment in order to be eligible for project grants

To qualify you must:

• Complete participation/registration form (available on-line in August 2010)
• Classroom or School in grades 9-12 (High School)
• School-affiliated groups are also eligible to participate (i.e. environmental clubs)
• Must have a teacher or school-affiliated mentor for each project

Awards and Participation Incentives:

• Up to $5,000 in Total Grants (per state) will be awarded to winning classrooms; grant size per winning classroom will depend on project scope and available prize funds.
• Certificates awarded to every student who is involved in a submitted project
• Plaque for each winning school/classroom
• Press event for winning classrooms with high profile individuals in attendance
• Educator professional development opportunities in Climate Education
• Youth Leadership Program
• Funding and partnership resources
• Donated trips
• International programs and networking with other schools and climate projects internationally
• Scholarships and internship opportunities for your students
• Highlights on partner organization websites/newsletters
• Other local/regional opportunities to be identified

Detailed information, including judging criteria, participation forms, and project partner database will be available on the Climate Generation website in August 2010. Sign up for our email list to be notified when the website is available.