Matthew Kraft, Associate Professor of Education, has developed a new course launching in the spring: EDUC 0120: K-12 Education Systems and Climate Change. This course will explore the risks that rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather events pose to schools and student learning. Additionally, it will examine what schools teach students about climate science and environmental stewardship. 

This course builds on a new line of research that Professor Kraft has launched, which assesses the risks and impacts of climate change on schools and explores how schools can contribute to climate solutions. The aim of this research is to provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners. 

The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly visible in all aspects of society. In the first few weeks of 2025, devastating wildfires have swept through greater Los Angeles, leading to damage to schools in the area and widespread closures. These wildfires add to the growing number of natural disasters that have disrupted the school year for students in the U.S. in recent years, including schools in the South, which faced closures after Hurricane Helene struck in the fall of 2024. These disruptions may have lasting negative impacts on students, and finding ways to mitigate this damage will pose an ongoing challenge for educators. 

Today’s children will inherit the consequences of climate change, and schools are instrumental in organizing a response to the crisis. In Professor Kraft’s new course, students will explore case studies of school systems that are tackling climate change through various initiatives. These include developing an environmental education curriculum, investing in clean-energy infrastructure, launching community-based demonstration projects, and preparing students for careers in the emerging green economy.  

Professor Kraft highlights “students will gain skills in reading, critiquing, and synthesizing academic research, along with the ability to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations. We will adopt an applied, solutions-oriented approach to address the real challenges schools face in advancing these efforts.”

As we approach the spring semester, Professor Kraft is excited to launch this new class. “Our goal will be to better understand the science behind our current climate crisis and how it is shaping the K-12 education landscape in the U.S. We will take a solutions-oriented approach to thinking about how we can best prepare schools and the next generation of leaders to tackle this challenge."