UPTON — The Nipmuc Regional High School will host a Climate Change Challenge kickoff event to launch the yearlong, statewide initiative and to train educators on engaging K-12 students in climate change education and action.

The event will take place Nov. 14 - 15 from 7:50 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Nipmuc Regional High School, at 90 Pleasant St., Upton. Educators from across Massachusetts are invited to attend this professional development opportunity to learn strategies for implementing the Climate Change Challenge in their own schools and districts.

Students Mark Calabrese and Bridget Klupa in front of a NASA high altitude balloon gondola in the early morning as it's prepared for launch in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. The project was developed in partnership with MaxIQ.Space. Photo courtesy Mendon-Upton Regional School District

 This initiative was designed to empower students with the knowledge and skills needed to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. The Climate Change Challenge aims to educate students of all ages through hands-on experiments and exploring cutting-edge technology alongside their peers and climate change experts. On a monthly basis throughout the school year, students and teachers will have check-ins and webinars with partnering organizations to continue their climate change education. At the end of the year, students will present their findings at a symposium. 

The first day of the workshop on Nov. 14 will focus on elementary students in grades K-5 and day two will focus on middle and high school students in grades 6-12.

The kickoff conference will feature opening remarks and a talk from keynote speaker Massachusetts Deputy Climate Chief Jonathan Schrag.

Following the opening remarks, there will be three workshop sessions, during which participating educators will choose to attend presentations from MaxIQ.Space, NASA GLOBE, Mass Audubon, Cooler Communities, Wade Institute for Science Education, Blue Hill Observatory, Climate Interactive and the Nipmuc History Department. These sessions will provide educators with practical strategies and resources for implementing climate change education in their classrooms.

During the conference, Nipmuc juniors will have the opportunity to connect with local organizations to apply their learning to real-world issues, demonstrating the kind of engagement the Climate Challenge aims to foster statewide.

In between the workshop sessions, participants will attend the project showcase, a lunch, networking opportunities and a closing session featuring remarks, grant options and a process walkthrough.

"This Challenge aligns with our district's commitment to providing authentic, real-world learning experiences that develop our students' skills as global citizens and solution seekers," Mendon-Upton Regional School District Superintendent Maureen Cohen said. “We’re thrilled to have so many educators and organizations from all over the state in attendance, and this is a great learning and networking opportunity for the Mendon-Upton student community. We look forward to seeing the students learn and apply their knowledge about climate change throughout the year.”

"I want to provide Massachusetts students with authentic learning experiences similar to what my students have enjoyed," said science teacher Jim Gorman, who received the 2024 Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year award. "The projects students will participate in demonstrate the kind of hands-on, environmentally-focused work we hope to encourage through the Climate Change Challenge."

Community members interested in learning more about the Climate Change Challenge or supporting the initiative can contact Jim Gorman at [email protected], or visit https://www.massclimatechangechallenge.org.

Submitted by Mendon-Upton Regional School District