Youth Innovators Empowering Agriculture Across America (YEA) Climate Change Curriculum Project
Oregon State University leads the development of a comprehensive youth climate change curriculum with an emphasis on climate-smart agriculture and forestry, funded by NIFA.
We will develop a culturally responsive curriculum that is inclusive, equitable, and reflects the multi-dimensional diversity of youth, with a focus on Pacific Islander and Indigenous youth. This work will seek to validate students’ experiences and values, disrupt power dynamics that privilege dominant groups, and empower students.
Our goal is for students to be critical consumers of climate change information and to understand climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices. We collaborate with partners across the United States and US territories, protectorates, and designated insular areas towards this goal1.
Together, we develop opportunities for youth to participate in civic engagement programs. These opportunities provide access and participation among underrepresented youth and communities with culturally relevant experiential learning projects.
Interested in writing lessons for the project?
Complete the interest form at the link below, and we'll reach out when applications are open.
YEA programs will lead to a reimagined youth development outreach system that will prepare young people for careers in agriculture and food sciences, and support youth programs like 4-H.
Objectives of the project
1. Organize leadership, management, and writing team to develop comprehensive climate curriculum that aligns with USDA and AFRI priorities.
2. Develop 100 high-quality climate lessons and ensure access by all students, with a focus on Pacific Islander and Indigenous youth.
3. Ensure a broad and diverse target area for lesson use, including formal K-12 education system, other formal learning settings, and non-formal learning settings.
4. Ensure formative and summative assessment tools as part of curriculum and individual lessons.
5. Ensure lessons are rooted in positive youth development, research-based pedagogies, and national standards.
6. Ensure lessons are accessible, culturally responsive, and available in Spanish.
7. Develop and provide in person and online (inc. asynchronous) professional development training for formal and non-formal educators to ensure effective lesson delivery to students.
8. Identify 20 essential lessons to develop into self-paced, interactive online modules for direct student learning and host them on CN web platform.
9. Evaluate lesson plan use, feedback, and online module use for continuous improvement and increased reach.
10. Create direct access to climate science data to allow for additional youth learning opportunities and lasting timeliness of content.
