Kane County Institute Day 2025

This workshop trains educators to take on the role of Facilitator as students research and take action on environmental issues in their communities through a process called Environmental Action Civics. In Environmental Action Civics, students share power with adults, practice democratic decision making, and address local environmental problems using civics. And adults are right there beside them, igniting a new generation of decision makers. Targeting students in 5th-11th grade, Earth Force provides customizable tools and professional development to help adults create space for young people to form youth-adult partnerships, engage in environmental problem-finding, and take civic action. Educators trained on the Earth Force process may also choose to participate in the RISE challenge where students identify natural hazards to their community, research solutions, engage with stakeholders, and develop a plan to address that hazard. The RISE challenge includes implementation funding groups to conduct their projects, a presentation to a judging panel, and participation in a culminating event called the RISE Summit. Educators who join this workshop will walk away prepared to facilitate both the Earth Force process and the RISE challenge should they so choose.

*Participants will be given access to digital resources in this session.