Climate Education

OSPI supports two main legislative commitments to climate education, climate integration across disciplines and the “ClimeTime” grant program. Every student has the right to learn about the impacts of climate change and the effective adaptation and mitigation strategies necessary to address these challenges.  

Washington has been and continues to be a leader in climate learning in K-12 education.  The ClimeTime grant program (see more below) is a nationally celebrated and first of its kind climate education grant program supported by legislative funding since 2018.  Washington was the first state in the country to support climate integration across disciplines by staffing a specific climate integration position at a state education agency in 2022.  

Climate Integration Across Disciplines

Climate literacy is an understanding of how the climate system works, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. It is important because people who understand the processes, causes, and effects of climate change are better able to assess evidence and claims about evidence, discuss options to manage risks, and take well-informed actions. Climate literacy can be integrated into all content areas, regardless of grade level.

Resources:

• 2024 Climate Literacy Guide
• OSPI Created Climate Integration Supports
• Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN)
• STEM Teaching Tools Climate Learning

ClimeTime Network

The ClimeTime network, facilitated by OSPI, in contract with the University of Washington Institute for Science + Math Education, develops and implements quality climate and science professional learning for educators and educational leaders across Washington. The state funds all nine Educational Service Districts (ESDs), multiple Community-Based Organizations, and several Tribal-Serving Schools.

In the first six years (2018-2024), the network provided teachers with more than 37,000 climate and science professional learning experiences, resulting in over 1,000,000 student learning experiences. ClimeTime supports the development of high-quality instructional materials, assessment and evaluation strategies, and facilitates student events related to climate and science education.

As the network learns and grows in capacity, it seeks to remain on the cutting edge of climate and science learning through supporting local solutions to climate change, equitable learning for all Washington students, and the interdisciplinary nature of climate action.

Resources:

• ClimeTime website: view the professional learning calendar, Project Portraits, Partner Stories, ClimeTime in the Classroom, videos, and many more resources.
• ClimeTime OER Hub: resources created and/or vetted by the ClimeTime network.