September 18, 2026Expanding Climate Education Across New Jersey
The RCNJ Climate Change Education Collaborative (RCNJ CCLC) continues to expand professional learning opportunities for educators across New Jersey. During the current reporting period, the CCLC hosted 24 professional development events, bringing together 131 unique educators and school leaders for a total of 434 participant attendances. Eighty-four participants, or approximately 64% of unique participants, were new to the CCLC.
Professional learning opportunities were offered in partnership with organizations including City Green, Great Swamp Watershed Association, the New Jersey School of Conservation, and Ramapo College of New Jersey. The RCNJ CCLC also collaborated with the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) to offer three special sessions focused on climate education.
The CCLC also began developing and offering 14 new professional learning sessions that will expand opportunities for educators to explore climate change through a range of grade levels, subject areas, and perspectives. Topics include artificial intelligence and climate change, climate literacy across the curriculum, climate education through MTSS, biodiversity, climate-resilient design, climate and food systems, flood modeling, climate clubs, and identifying misinformation.
In addition to professional development, the CCLC launched a Grades 9–12 Professional Learning Community, bringing together 14 teachers to collaborate around climate education and classroom practice. The CCLC also continues to work directly with participating school districts to understand their needs and provide support.
As the CCLC moves forward, we remain committed to connecting educators with engaging, relevant, and accessible opportunities to build climate knowledge and bring climate education into their classrooms and school communities.
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