Climate Leaders in Action
Project Summary
Seattle AP Environmental Science students tackled climate education from three angles in one year: staging a mock UN Conference of the Parties, auditing their school’s energy use for administrators, and building a community garden now part of the Seattle Giving Garden network.
Detailed Story
Ayla W., a science teacher at Summit Public Schools in Seattle, embraced TCI’s comprehensive approach to climate education with her AP Environmental Science students. Over the course of the year, her class took on three distinct initiatives, each building real-world skills alongside environmental impact. Students first participated in a mock Conference of the Parties (COP), stepping into the negotiating roles of international climate diplomacy to understand the complexities of global climate policy. They then conducted a full energy audit of their school, identifying opportunities for conservation and presenting their findings directly to school administrators. Finally, the class built a community garden from the ground up — now an official part of the Seattle Giving Garden network, contributing fresh produce to the broader community.
As Ayla put it, “Through completion of action projects, students are empowered to make a positive impact in their communities and the world around them.” Her advice to other educators looking to start similar work: “Start small, find an interested community partner, and enjoy the journey!” Ayla has also expressed interest in learning more about how TCI’s action projects connect with the Knowledge in Action project-based curriculum for AP Environmental Science — a potential avenue for deeper curricular alignment going forward.
Impact Statement
Conducted a comprehensive school energy audit and presented conservation recommendations directly to administrators, participated in a mock UN Conference of the Parties to build climate policy literacy, and established a community garden that now contributes produce to the Seattle Giving Garden network — giving students hands-on experience across policy, science, and hands-on stewardship in a single year