Smithsonian To Host “Educating for Climate Action Summit” During Climate Week NYC

The Smithsonian, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and New York-based Smithsonian Affiliate The Wild Center will host the “Educating for Climate Action Summit” Sept. 24, 1 p.m.–8 p.m., during Climate Week NYC. The summit, which will take place at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York City, convenes a constellation of partner organizations to host workshops, keynotes and a reception for formal and informal educators of diverse backgrounds. Participants will explore key themes in climate change education, including the integration of youth perspectives, Indigenous knowledge and social justice. The summit is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

During the summit, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy will share a collaborative effort co-led by the Smithsonian and NOAA to create new climate literacy resources that promote a broader understanding of climate change science, its impacts and possible solutions to the American public and the international community. The Smithsonian intends these resources to serve as a conversation starter, a framework for classroom lessons and informal education programs focused on the climate, and as a foundation for scientific research. 

“This summit represents a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to address the climate crisis through education,” said Monique Chism, the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Education. “By bringing together a diverse group of educators, leaders and experts, we aim to empower communities with the knowledge and tools needed to foster a resilient, just and sustainable future.” 

The summit will feature 12 sessions dedicated to climate change education and a tour of the host venue, the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, followed by a reception. Attendees will connect with fellow educators, youth, community leaders and decision makers to deepen their understanding of critical issues in climate change education and gain practical strategies to apply in their own learning environments. The session topics include: 

• Advancing climate literacy and justice through P–12 education
• Building a climate-ready workforce 
• Promoting community-level climate action and resilience 
• Addressing climate change and mental health 
• Implementing effective communication strategies for climate issues 
• Engaging multiple generations in climate action 

The summit will showcase several climate literacy resources produced by the Smithsonian Science Education Center, including the Smithsonian Science for Global Goals, Climate Resilience! community research guide for youth and the center’s Diverse Stories of Resilience video series. The center will also discuss its recently released 2024 Smithsonian-Gallup report “Educating for Sustainable Development: Opportunities for Progress in the U.S.”  

Attendees can also receive an introduction to the National Museum of the American Indian’s National Education Initiative, Native Knowledge 360°, and join a tour of the museum’s imagiNATIONS Activity Center. Finally, MI Leggett, founder and creative director of Official Rebrand, will join the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s Kirsten McNally, manager of teen programs, and Nadya Kim, teen programs coordinator, for a discussion on past, present and future perspectives on waste and sustainability in design and beyond. The full summit schedule and registration are available on the summit’s website. 

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