Description
The Center for Sustainable Futures (CSF) at Teachers College envisions a future with quality informal and formal environmental and sustainability education that centers an abundance of joy, community, and knowledge in support of regenerative human-Earth interactions.
The Center explores new ways to transform education through original research and the exchange of ideas to empower all people to solve global and local environmental challenges.
Why are donations necessary?
With the generous philanthropic support of our community, CSF has developed and curated resources to equip teachers in K-12 NYC public schools to teach sustainability in schools. Preparing teachers to comfortably teach the material means more students will have access to education that empowers them to be positive change agents.
One of the most powerful resources we developed this year is titled “Climate Change – A Family Story.” This innovative lesson engages students in connecting large-scale climate trends to their own family histories—fostering a personal and emotional connection to the issue.
Our current resources may be downloaded here.
Since this work began:
- We shared the resource “Climate Change – A Family Story” with 500+ teachers who attended the NYC Public School Mid-Winter Climate Institute (hosted at Teachers College).
- Teachers responded with overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the resource’s adaptability across subjects such as science, social studies, ELA, and even art:
“Comparing data between generations would be a great activity for students to see how climate change is real and in need of addressing.”
“I found it fascinating to see how emissions have changed (and changed more rapidly recently) since the birth of my great grandparents.”
- Many educators shared how they modified the lesson to reflect their students’ cultural backgrounds and classroom goals, deepening student engagement and relevance.
Your gifts will help us:
- Translate findings from our research-practice partnership with NYC Public Schools for teachers and educators
- Produce more materials that highlight practical information and activities for teachers based on our studies
A special giving challenge
An anonymous donor has generously pledged $1,000 dollars to the Center for Sustainable Futures for Impact Day. Once we reach our first $1,000 raised in donations, it will unlock this gift. Will you make a gift today? Thank you for your participation and support!
Personal Message
Making a gift is optional but always deeply appreciated. To learn more and get further involved in the Center for Sustainable Futures, please visit our website https://www.tc.columbia.edu/sustainability.
Our work has been featured in the New York Times. You can read the coverage here.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and for your dedication to this important work.
Kind regards,
Oren Pizmony-Levy, PhD
Director, Center for Sustainable Futures
Associate Professor of International and Comparative Education