Climate Change Education: Inspiring Engagement and Action

On Wednesday May 15th, 2024, the Waterloo Climate Institute will host a one-day Climate Pedagogy Symposium bringing together instructors from University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College to share and explore strategies to enhance climate change teaching and learning in post-secondary education. The climate crisis is prompting post-secondary education institutions around the world to rethink how their programs are preparing students from all disciplines to adapt to climate impacts and contribute to a sustainable, just and resilient low carbon economy.

The symposium program will include insights from Indigenous elders, presentations, workshops, dialogue and networking opportunities, and it will lay the groundwork for future collaboration between the three institutions. Findings from the symposium will be compiled to help inform and inspire future climate change education efforts by participants and others.

For more information about participating, please contact Michele Martin at the Waterloo Climate Institute, michelep.martin@uwaterloo.ca.

Program at a glance

8:00AM - 8:30AM 

Registration and networking breakfast 

8:30AM - 9:50AM

Opening plenary: Welcome and introductions, ice breaker followed by a land acknowledgment

Speakers: Elder Norma Jacobs, Elder Myeengun Henry, Tim Leduc: Decolonizing climate change education in post-secondary institutions 

9:50AM - 10:10AM

Refreshment and networking break

10:10AM - 11:30AM

Breakout sessions A – 2 options: 

  • Instructional strategies 101: games, active learning, assignments, small vs large classes, resources 

  • Addressing Climate Emotions in the Classroom - the Work that Reconnects 

11:35AM - 12:55PM 

Breakout sessions B – 3 options 

  • Instructional Strategies 102: inquiry, land-based and community engaged learning 

  • Fostering Cross-cultural Climate Justice dialogues 

  • Networking space 

12:55PM - 1:55PM 

Lunch and networking 

2:00PM - 3:20PM

Breakout sessions C – 3 options 

  • Teaching climate change in Arts classes 

  • Reflexive practices in teaching climate change (TBC) 

  • Networking space 

3:25PM - 4:15PM 

Final plenary – Key findings and messages as well as a way forward 

Event Sponsors

  • Waterloo Climate Institute
  • Balsillie School of International Affairs
  • Conestoga College
  • UWaterloo Sustainability Action Fund and CTE LITE grants
  • Wilfrid Laurier University