Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1463867
K-12 teachers and students in California, through a partnership between the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) and Ten Strands, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing student environmental literacy. "e grant money from the state should arrive soon, and the curriculum should be available in 2024," says Andra Yeghoian, environmental literacy and sustainability coordinator for SMCOE. "It's critical for California to teach environmental literacy. And it's critical that it be embedded into all subjects by incorporating the state's Environmental Principles and Concepts [EP&Cs]." e EP&Cs (at right) were approved by legislation in 2004 and created collaboratively by the California Department of Edu- cation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other public agencies, with more than 100 scientists. ey are integrated into the state's curriculum frameworks for science, history and social science, and health. ey will also be included in the upcoming mathematics framework. In 2018, they were added to the Education Code by Gov. Jerry Brown. As part of that same bill, climate change and environ- mental justice were added to the list of topics covered by the EP&Cs, clearing the path for the recently allocated funding. Ten Strands worked with state Sen. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica) on both advocacy efforts. e new curricular resources will be "trauma-informed," says Yeghoian, acknowledging that learning about climate change can be scary if not framed in a way that is empowering. "e resources will emphasize teaching about this topic in a way that allows students to feel hope and possibility instead of despair and apathy," says Yeghoian. "There will also be an emphasis on environmental justice, Project-Based Learning (PBL), and professional development for teachers." "The kids all ask why — why adults haven't taken care of this, why we are still investing in fossil fuels, why we are still having debates about climate change." —Park Guthrie, Harmony Union Teachers Association Occidental activists PBL at Salmon Creek Middle School started with small steps, and eventually made a nationwide impact to increase awareness that the Earth is warming. Guthrie founded the Schools for Climate Action Club 17 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 2