September 30, 2026CCLC Connect: Virtual Networking for Educators
Teaching and learning about climate change does not happen in isolation. Across New Jersey, educators and school leaders are exploring questions, trying new approaches, developing projects, building partnerships, and thinking about what climate change education can look like in their schools and communities.
CCLC Connect creates opportunities for educators and school leaders from across New Jersey to connect, exchange ideas and experiences, explore questions, and learn from one another around climate change education.
These virtual gatherings are designed as spaces for conversation and connection rather than traditional professional development. There is no presentation to sit through and no expectation that you have everything figured out. Each conversation offers an opportunity to meet colleagues, share what you’re working on, learn about what others are exploring, and consider connections that might be useful to your work.
Four opportunities to connect
Each CCLC Connect conversation has a different focus, building from getting to know the network to exploring ideas, questions, and possibilities together.
October | Connect & Discover
What Are You Working On?
We’ll start by discovering who is doing what across the CCLC network. Share what you’re currently working on, exploring, or wondering about, and connect with educators who have related interests, questions, or experiences.
Guiding question:
Who’s doing what, and what can we learn from one another?
December | Share & Explore
What Are You Trying?
Bring a practice, project, resource, approach, or idea you’re exploring. This conversation creates space to share what’s happening in classrooms and schools, exchange ideas, and learn from what colleagues are trying across content areas and grade levels.
Guiding question:
What are people trying, and what ideas can we exchange?
February | Wonder & Problem-Solve
Let’s Figure It Out Together
Bring a question, challenge, or “I wonder…” to the conversation. We’ll create space to think alongside colleagues, hear different perspectives, and explore possible next steps.
Guiding question:
What are we wrestling with, and how can we think together?
April | Connect & Continue
Where Do We Go From Here?
We’ll look toward the connections, ideas, and possibilities worth carrying forward. Whether you’re new to CCLC Connect or have joined us throughout the year, you’ll have an opportunity to consider relationships and collaborations you might want to continue.
Guiding question:
What connections and ideas do we want to carry forward?
Join the conversation
You do not need to attend every event. Join one conversation or join us throughout the year.
Come with a question. Come with an idea. Come with something you’re trying. Or simply come curious.
CCLC Connect is a space to meet colleagues, exchange ideas, and build connections around climate change education across New Jersey.
September 29, 2026A Note to Our Professional Development Registrants
Our professional development sessions continue to be in high demand, and we appreciate the enthusiasm from educators across the state. As we work to accommodate as many participants as possible, please keep the following in mind:
Registration does not guarantee a spot.
Due to the high demand for our professional learning opportunities, you may not secure a spot in a session for which you registered over the summer. We carefully review registrations and work to ensure that participants are the best match for each session.
Look for your confirmation email.
Before each workshop, registered participants who have been confirmed will receive an email with important event details. Please do not attend a session unless you have received a confirmation email from us. If you have not received a confirmation, you do not have a confirmed spot.
Check for event updates.
Any changes to the original date, time, or location of an event will be communicated through our event calendar and by email to registered participants. Please check your email and the event calendar before attending.
Pay attention to the intended audience.
Each of our professional learning experiences is thoughtfully designed with a specific audience, grade level, role, or area of practice in mind. We recognize that many of our sessions may be valuable to a wide range of educators. However, our session descriptions identify the educators and contexts for whom each workshop is specifically designed.
Please take a moment to review the event description and intended audience before registering. This helps us ensure that participants are well matched to each learning experience and that the workshop can best meet the needs of the educators it was designed to serve.
Please RSVP in a timely manner.
Once you receive a confirmation email, please respond to any RSVP request as soon as possible. The RCNJ CCLC team, including our community-based partners, invest significant time and care in planning each professional learning experience. When plans change, letting us know as early as possible helps us make the best use of our partners’ time and resources and may allow us to offer your spot to another educator.
Thank you for your understanding, your flexibility, and your consideration of the many people who contribute to making these learning opportunities possible. We look forward to learning with you!
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.
August 4, 2026Sign Up Now — Climate Education Workshops with the Smithsonian (August 19)
We’re excited to share a professional learning opportunity open to all NJ public educators. Educators from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) will offer a workshop at Ramapo College on transdisciplinary teaching approaches using SSEC’s Community Research Guides, and we’d love for you to join us.
Workshop Details — Wednesday, August 19, 2026
- Morning Session — “Transdisciplinary Teaching for the Climate (Condensed)”: Led by the SSEC, this session introduces the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals project and a transdisciplinary approach to climate education using the Climate Action! Community Research Guide.
- Afternoon Session — “Teaching Climate Resilience through Place”: Led by the SSEC, this session explores the Climate Resilience! Community Research Guide through a place-based lens. Pairs well with the morning session for a full look at both climate mitigation and adaptation.
You’re welcome to attend one or both sessions.
How to Sign Up:
Register here!
Please indicate on the form which session(s) you plan to attend.
Space is limited, so please register as soon as you’re able. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
August 4, 2026Smithsonian-led Special CLIO Workshop on Transdisciplinary Teaching (August 18)
We’re excited to share a professional learning opportunity designed specifically for those based in a Climate Literacy Innovation Opportunity (CLIO) Grantee Public School District!
Educators from the Smithsonian Science Education Center (SSEC) will offer a workshop at Ramapo College on transdisciplinary teaching approaches using SSEC’s Community Research Guides, and we’d love for you to join us.
Workshop Details:
- CLIO-Exclusive Session: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Full Day (9:30 AM–3:00 PM) — reserved specifically for CLIO grantees
- Optional Extension Session: Wednesday, August 19, 2026, Afternoon (12:30 PM–3:00 PM) — open to all NJ public educators; CLIO grantees are welcome to attend this session too if you’d like to explore additional SSEC resources beyond the core workshop
Who Should Attend:
CLIO Grantee districts are encouraged to send teams of educators and administrators from their implementation teams.
Compensation & Reimbursement:
- We will compensate attending educators directly
- Mileage, tolls, and non-contract administrator time can be reimbursed through your grant funds
How to Sign Up:
Email climatecollaborative@ramapo.edu for registration form.
June 10, 2026Registration is Now Open: Year 3 Climate Change Learning Collective PD Opportunities
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for teacher professional development opportunities in Year 3 of the Climate Change Learning Collectives grant!
In partnership with our community-based partners—City Green, Great Swamp Watershed Association, and NJ School of Conservation—we are excited to offer a new year of engaging climate education experiences.
Please review the available opportunities and register today. We look forward to another year of learning, collaboration, and climate action together!