Climate and Equity Institute 

Lead Staff:
Folashadé Solomon
Gillian Puttick
Project Staff:
Annie Sussman
Santiago Gasca
Kim Descoteaux

Institute Goals

The incidence of extreme climate impacts is increasing. Levels of eco-anxiety and existential dread related to global warming among youth are at record highs. Education about global warming, and its inequitable impacts, is urgently needed, yet teachers who address this need are isolated .

To continue to address this urgent need, we will host a group of 18 high-school teachers at a one-week, expenses-paid Climate and Equity Institute at the Schoodic Institute campus. The Institute will be held Sunday, July 26th – Saturday, August 1st, 2026.

Teachers will discuss equitable pedagogy, hear presentations about the global — and psychological — impacts of climate change, explore climate change impacts firsthand through guided field trips, and have free time to pursue additional topics.

Outcomes

Teachers will:

  • Share best practices for learning and teaching.
  • Become founders of a national network of colleagues.
  • Be inspired by conversations with scientists.
  • Explore the inequitable impacts of climate change.
  • Enjoy the tranquility of the Maine woods and seashore

    • .

  • Leave with a renewed sense of hope and purpose about making a difference.