Climate Change, Human Health, and Hope for the Future
December 4, 2025, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Zoom
Climate change is a public health emergency in many respects. In this session, we will review how climate change increases the likelihood of severe weather and its impacts on human health. We will review the major vector borne diseases that will increase under global heating as well as respiratory and heat-related illnesses. We will also discuss the co-benefits to human health of some climate mitigation strategies such as electric cars and stoves. Climate Anxiety and Climate Dread are among the mental health challenges worsened by climate change we will also discuss hopeful signs and events. At the end of the session, participants will work with other teachers at their grade level to brainstorm appropriate lessons for their students.
CANCELLED: Discovering the Ecological Self: Integrating Eco Art into Climate Education
December 2, 2025, 6 – 9 p.m., Zoom
Coaching & Collaboration
November 15, 2025, 10 – 11 a.m., Zoom
Please join us for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of sea level rise, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 6-8)
November 13, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m., Zoom
Grade 6-8 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the middle school level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Introduction to Climate Change
November 10, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m., Zoom
This is a basic introduction to climate change for any educators wanting to improve their background knowledge. The session will present climate change as simple, serious, and solvable. The science behind the greenhouse effect, some of the more profound and serious climate impacts, and the most important climate solutions will be presented. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, and some tools for teaching basic greenhouse effect will be discussed. This session may be of particular interest to teachers of subjects other than sciences.
Transforming Relationships for Global Sustainability
October 25, 2025, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Zoom
This professional development session will explore issues in sustainability through the lens of transforming relationships between humans and the environment. Practical ideas for sustainability initiatives in schools will be discussed. Workshop time will be provided for participants to plan for sustainability initiatives in their own schools with the support of session facilitators and in collaboration with other participants.
Coaching & Collaboration
October 23, 2025, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal and Its Potential Role in U.S. Climate Policy
October 22, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Monmouth University Campus
In the ensuing years after the entry into force of the Paris Agreement, it has become increasingly apparent that achievement of its temperature objectives will require both aggressive emissions reduction initiatives and large-scale deployment of carbon dioxide removal/negative emissions technologies to either avoid passing critical climatic thresholds or address temperature “overshoot” scenarios. While much of the early research on carbon dioxide removal methods focused on terrestrial approaches, there has been increasing attention to the potential role of the world’s oceans, given both sustainability considerations and the fact that oceans already serve as a huge carbon sink, with substantial additional potential for storing carbon. These “marine carbon dioxide removal” (mCDR) options include iron fertilization, ocean alkalinity enhancement, ocean upwelling/downwelling, and ocean biomass sinking. This presentation will provide and overview of mCDR approaches and developments in the U.S., including the emerging regulatory framework for deployment of mCDR. Join Wil Burns, Ph.D., Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University, for this lecture.
The lecture will be held in Edison Hall Room 201. You will find Edison Science Hall (#23) on the campus map. Please park in the main lot when visiting campus. If you have any questions, please email Dr. Jacques at pjacques@monmouth.edu. No stipends will be paid for this event due to its falling during the school day, but you may seek substitute reimbursement.
New Exclusive Field Trip: Sail Aboard MU Research Vessel
October 11, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina
For Directions Use: Sissy’s At the Harbor, 8 Simon Lake Dr, Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Explore how climate change relates to coastal flooding and extreme storm events like Hurricane Sandy.
MU Vessel Operations
Personal safety must be a personal responsibility. Complacency, inattention, lack of preparation and/or training will all increase risks to health and safety. Although Faculty and Staff will take every reasonable precaution concerning the safety of participants, the potential hazards make it imperative that everyone behaves responsibly in order to reduce the risk of accidents. Ultimately, individuals must act in a reasonable manner in order to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
Field clothing:
No open-toed shoes allowed
Dress warm: it can be much colder on the water and the weather can change
Hats, sunscreen as needed
Hard hats will be supplied by the vessel as needed
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) Requirements
All vessels have an adequate supply of PFDs available for use.
Non-swimmers should wear standard PFDs and not wear inflatable ones.
PFDs will be mandatory at all times for any period of reduced visibility (i.e. fog, dusk, nighttime operations, foul weather conditions).Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 9-12)
October 6, 2025, 4 – 6 p.m., Zoom
Grade 9-12 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the secondary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
Allaire State Park, Monmouth County
October 4, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a framework for responsible use and stewardship of natural areas. While our actions often have some degree of local or global impact, we can be aware of and attempt to minimize such impacts to protect and preserve resources for others to enjoy. Through a focus on Leave No Trace, workshop participants will explore how these principles can guide ethical and practical solutions for enjoying the outdoors, in one’s daily life, and in a climate-concerned world. Location: Allaire State Park. 4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Using the En-ROADS Climate Simulator for Understanding Climate Solutions
September 29, 2025, 5 – 7 p.m., Zoom
This session, which will be presented by Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., a biologist and climate science educator, is designed for teachers of grades 8 through 12. Teachers will focus on climate solutions using the En-ROADS decision support model. En-ROADS is a tool that uses a slightly simplified version of the climate model used by the United Nations to help users understand the impacts of different climate solutions. In this session, Dr. Duckett will lead the participants in an activity that can be used directly in classrooms. En-ROADS provides materials for teachers to use in their own classrooms. Some of these materials will be provided to registrants prior to the session. Come prepared to save life on the planet and negotiate with other participants to do so!
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
Huber Woods Park, Monmouth County
September 27, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy
Using the outdoor classroom (schoolyard or park) is an excellent opportunity to engage students in experiential placed-based learning. The outdoor classroom lends itself to creating environmental awareness and literacy across many issues, including climate change. Participants will review best practices for maximizing outcomes for teaching in an outdoor environment. Additionally, the workshop will focus on developing a sense of place through observation, data collection and mapping. Location: Huber Woods Park. 25 Browns Dock Rd, Rumson, NJ 07760
Coaching & Collaboration
September 26, 2025, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades K-2)
September 11, 2025, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., Zoom
Grade K-2 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the primary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
September 9, 2025, 7 – 8 p.m., Zoom
The climate change driven sea level rise lecture will start with an overview of the Earth’s Greenhouse Effect and how it has contributed to sea level changes over the past 100 million years, followed by a discussion of present day sea level changes and the natural processes that will contribute to future relative sea level rise. The lecture will conclude with a discussion on how sea level rise contributes to more frequent and impactful nuisance flooding and coastal storm surge in New Jersey’s coastal communities. Time will be provided for questions and answers with the speaker, Tom Herrington, Ph.D.
Biodiversity and Climate Change Impacts
August 26, 2025, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Zoom
Climate change is an emergency for many plants and animals and causes them to become stressed and lose habitat for living and breeding. Climate change also causes ecological mismatches between organisms in symbiotic relationships, such as pollinators and plants or animals and the plants or animals they feed on. Many different biological examples of current climate impacts on the living world will be discussed as well as solutions to the climate mediated biodiversity crisis. This session is appropriate for middle and high school teachers as well as for others who just want to deepen their own understanding of the threats to life on Earth.
Coaching & Collaboration
August 21, 2025, 2 – 3 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
August 21, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Communities and the Cost of Climate Change (Grades 6-12)
Grade 6-12 educators will examine the economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities and how some populations are disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. Topics such as coastal resilience, ecosystem dynamics, and biodiversity will be explored with laboratory activities and field studies (weather permitting). This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen is always a good idea, as are hats when conditions require. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own refillable water bottle. All field equipment and materials will be provided by NJSGC.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
August 20, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Global Climate Systems and Human Society (Grades 6-12)
Grade 6-12 educators will explore the energy drivers of climate change, the effects on natural resources, and how these impact society. Real-world data transfer and climate models will enable teachers to closely examine resource availability and sustainable coastal ecosystems with both laboratory activities and field studies. Alternative energy sources will be explored as well. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen and bug spray are always a good idea, as are hats when conditions are sunny and hot. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
August 19, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Human Impacts Focus (K-5)
Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Causes of climate change and impacts on coastal communities and ocean environments will be the focus of this workshop as educators learn about flooding and sea level rise, species migration and food chains, and renewable energy sources. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen is always a good idea, as are hats when conditions require. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own refillable water bottle. All field equipment and materials will be provided by NJSGC.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)
Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)
Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit
August 18, 2025, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Life Sciences Focus (Grades K-5)
Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning on topics such as species diversity, food webs, changes in weather patterns, and how these changes can affect coastal ecosystems. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.
This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen and bug spray are always a good idea, as are hats when conditions are sunny and hot. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, please bring your own refillable water bottle. All field equipment and materials will be provided by NJSGC.
Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here). Space is limited to 30 participants.
Education and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
August 12, 2025, 11 am – 12:30 pm, Zoom
All grades educators are invited to learn about United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and incorporating them into lessons and school initiatives. Participants will discover how climate change is not strictly a science issue but related to other social and global matters (regions and people from all around the world, economic issues, water and food shortages, resources, health, energy, community, etc.) and connects across all disciplines and subjects. Therefore, this workshop is a great session to take before or after Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education PD sessions. Participants will collaboratively examine different sustainable development goals, with given resources and ideas for teaching and students’ civic engagement.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 3-5)
August 11, 2025, 12 – 2 p.m., Zoom
Grade 3-5 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the upper elementary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Discovering the Ecological Self: Integrating Eco Art into Climate Education
August 7, 2025, 2 – 5 p.m., Zoom
Discovering the Ecological Self: Integrating Eco Art into Climate Education
This experiential online workshop introduces grade 6-12 educators to eco art as a powerful tool for climate education. Participants will engage in hands-on creative processes drawn from the Eco Art curriculum, which emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking, environmental awareness, and emotional connection to nature. Educators will explore the concept of the “ecological self” through drawing, reflection, and collaborative discussion—gaining insight into how art can help students deepen their relationship with the environment. The session models techniques such as symbol mining, nature-based mandalas, and transdisciplinary inquiry, while providing examples of successful eco art projects. Educators will leave with adaptable lesson frameworks and creative strategies to inspire students to think critically and compassionately about their place in the natural world. A suggested workshop supply list is shared below.
SUPPLY LIST
For this hands-on activity, you’ll need to work with color. You have a few options, depending on what you have at home. You can choose a water-based medium like watercolor or gouache, which requires some additional supplies such as a water container and a surface for mixing paint. Alternatively, you can keep it simple and use crayons and paper. I also recommend using round coffee filters (the kind that can be flattened) or 6” watercolor paper circles—these give you a quick and easy mandala shape to work on.
Review the list below and choose the materials that best suit your setup. No need to purchase anything, these are just for ideas.Materials:
- Writing paper and pencil (for notes or reflections)
Paper Options:
- 6” watercolor paper circles
- Purchase 6″ Watercolor Paper Circles – Dick Blick
- Round bleached or unbleached coffee filters
Note: Unbleached filters make colors appear darker.
Purchase Unbleached Coffee Filters – Amazon
Water Container & Palette:
- A water container for cleaning brushes
- A mixing surface (glass plate or foil work fine)
Optional: 7-Well Palette – Dick Blick
Paint & Brushes (if using gouache or watercolor):
- Small gouache set
- Purchase Gouache Set – Dick Blick
- Watercolor brushes (at least one ¾” flat)
Purchase Brush Set – Dick Blick
Waterproof Ink Pens – suggestions:
- Micron (.03 or .05)
- Purchase – Dick Blick
OR
- Uniball Vision
- Purchase – Dick Blick
At-Home Setup
- Crayons and/or watercolors/gouache with brushes
- Black ink pen and/or pencil
- Round coffee filters or any paper
- Mixing palette for paints (plate, foil, etc.)
- Water container
- Newspaper or cardboard to protect your workspace
Coaching & Collaboration
July 24, 2025, 10 -11 a.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
Trailside Nature Center, Union County
July 19, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Exploring Climate Change through Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a framework for responsible use and stewardship of natural areas. While our actions often have some degree of local or global impact, we can be aware of and attempt to minimize such impacts to protect and preserve resources for others to enjoy. Through a focus on Leave No Trace, workshop participants will explore how these principles can guide ethical and practical solutions for enjoying the outdoors, in one’s daily life, and in a climate-concerned world.
Location: Trailside Nature Center. 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Experiential Learning Opportunity with Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF)
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Mercer County
July 12, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Place-Based Learning and Basic Climate Literacy
Using the outdoor classroom (schoolyard or park) is an excellent opportunity to engage students in experiential placed-based learning. The outdoor classroom lends itself to creating environmental awareness and literacy across many issues, including climate change. Participants will review best practices for maximizing outcomes for teaching in an outdoor environment. Additionally, the workshop will focus on developing a sense of place through observation, data collection and mapping. Registration is now closed for this event. A similar event will be held on September 27, or you could email muclimateeducation@monmouth.edu to be placed on a wait list.
Location: Tulpehaking Nature Center. 157 Westcott Ave, Hamilton Township, NJ 08610
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 6-8)
July 8, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m., Zoom
Grade 6-8 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the middle school level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Native Plants for Climate Resilience
July 2, 2025, 6 – 7 p.m., Zoom
Climate Change and other aspects of extreme weather motivated by global heating will cause ecological instability. Human agriculture, planting, and landscaping practices can be further destabilizing, or by working with nature’s strengths, humans can plant for greater stability. Native plants, having evolved in a location and in ecological relationships with other native creatures, can stabilize ecosystems, slow the decline of animal populations, and potentially improve water quality and buffer flooding. In this session, we will review basic climate change and the major environmental assaults on plants and animals caused by climate change. We will study selected New Jersey plants and insects as examples of ecosystem components that average NJ residents can observe and impact in their home or town. We will review some common invasive plants, and participants will have a chance to use what they learned in an exercise to “fix Dr. Duckett’s yard.” Some concepts will be appropriate for teachers of all grades. This session will be presented by Catherine Duckett, Ph.D.
Coaching & Collaboration
June 27, 2025, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Zoom
Please join us online for some professional networking. We will provide a brief review of climate change education, a question and answer period, and time to work together in a supportive environment. Teachers may bring lesson plans they need help with. Administrators may bring questions they have about implementation in their schools. We are happy to address any needs brought to this session and provide space for collaboration among schools and districts.
Transforming Relationships for Global Sustainability
June 23, 2025, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Zoom
This professional development session will explore issues in sustainability through the lens of transforming relationships between humans and the environment. Practical ideas for sustainability initiatives in schools will be discussed. Workshop time will be provided for participants to plan for sustainability initiatives in their own schools with the support of session facilitators and in collaboration with other participants.
Interdisciplinary Instruction for Climate Education (Grades 9-12)
June 17, 2025, 6 – 8 p.m., Zoom
Grade 9-12 educators are invited to learn about incorporating climate change standards into lessons. Participants will learn interdisciplinary planning strategies and pedagogical approaches for integrating climate change education at the secondary level. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lesson plans for the workshop portion of the session. These plans will be examined collaboratively and updated to better infuse climate change standards.
Introduction to Climate Change
June 12, 2025, 6–7 p.m., Zoom
This is a basic introduction to climate change for any educators wanting to improve their background knowledge. The session will present climate change as simple, serious, and solvable. The science behind the greenhouse effect, some of the more profound and serious climate impacts, and the most important climate solutions will be presented. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, and some tools for teaching basic greenhouse effect will be discussed. This session may be of particular interest to teachers of subjects other than sciences.