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Sunday, April 27, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 24move beyond awareness to actualhands-on solutions can help young people develop the knowledge andskills to make a tangible difference intheir communities.\The students at Chinook bandedtogether, with help from their teacherto create an afterschool club, theUnique Forest Club, to help save theirplay field from turning into a mud pit.EarthGen partnered with the schoolto initiate a Stormwater Stewardsprogram, which involved educatingthe students about why the flooding was happening and also bringing in alandscape architect to help address therunoff issue. \ students helped design a more ecologically balanced habitat%u2014a small forest with native plants andtrees that supported the soil andprevented flooding.%u201d Wentz says. \was incredibly meaningful for them to identify a problem in their ownbackyard and then actually solve it. And, equally important, their teacherhad a partner to boost their confidencein turning this real-world problem into aclass lesson.\Teacher training works hand-in-handwith student-led actionA new report released by theSmithsonian Science EducationCenter and Gallup reveals that 81% ofU.S. teachers feel that sustainabilityeducation is important, yet only 37%believe they have the knowledge to teach sustainability-related topics.Additionally, the State of Climate Change Education survey reports that teachers want access to professionaldevelopment and current resourcesthat enable them to teach lessonsfocused on students' futures, resilienceand solutions.EarthGen programs focus on threecore areas that work together to drivemeaning change across Washingtonstate: 1. Curricular resources anchored in science that center and celebratestudents' cultures and knowledge, while fostering critical thinking andinspiring purposeful action.2. Direct learning opportunities forK-12 educators that prepare them to engage students in addressing real-world environmental challenges.These training sessions integrateplace-based, authentic, and culturallyresponsive approaches, aligning withstate standards for impactful learning. Teachers also have the opportunityto connect with and exchange ideaswith their workshop members on anongoing basis.SPONSORED CONTENTPROVIDED BY EARTHGENA recent nationwide survey of K-12teachers on the State of ClimateChange Education shows that whilethe majority of the 707 teachers in105 school districts were interested inteaching climate change, they lack theconfidence and curriculum to do so. At the same time, teachers expressedconcern that their students are bringingup issues relating to climate changewith genuine anxiety.Two years ago, a group of studentsat Chinook Middle School in SeaTac noticed that an area of their play fieldflooded after every big rain. Theybrought the problem to the attentionof their teacher, who didn't know howto address the overflow problem butshe did know who to contact to help. She had recently attended a teachertraining workshop hosted by EarthGen,a nonprofit based in Seattle that equipsK-12 teachers and students acrossWashington state to be change-makersfor a healthier environment in theirlocal communities.Real-world sustainability lessons \ are experiencing theeffects of climate change firsthand%u2014 wildfire smoke, extreme heat andflooding %u2014 but often don%u2019t see clearpathways to action,\Wentz, communications manager atEarthGen which partners with schoolson projects like stormwater solutions,food waste reduction and habitatrestoration. \How can schools be part of the climate solution?EarthGen equips youth to grow their power as change-makers for ahealthy environment. Through EarthGen%u2019s science-based, action-orientedprograms, young people gain the knowledge, skills and experience they need to become leaders for climate solutions and environmental justice. Learn more at earthgenwa.org.Students and educators dive into discussions at an EarthGen-led student summit, exchanging ideas and learning how to give meaningful feedback. (EarthGen)Students measure air quality in their school parking lot, gathering real-world data to better understand their environment. (EarthGen)3. Collection action that bringstogether educators and communitypartners to support youth-ledaction to collaboratively addressenvironmental issues, building aculture of sustainability and inspiringenvironmental action.\ of these are isolated elements, they all work together forsuccess,\Creating a legacy of changeToday, the students at Chinookwho banded together and formedthe Unique Forest Club have movedonto high school, but they've leftbehind a legacy of positive change. Current students walk the paththrough the forest of trees andnative plants, maybe stopping to smell the flowers or listen to thebirds. \ and again I hear studentssay they can't believe they were actually able to make a difference,\Wentz says. \solve global warming on their own,these small transformations add upand create a meaningful impact.