Youth Education Program

Preparing the Next Generation of Climate Leaders

The climate crisis will define the lives of young people more than any other generation. They deserve more than awareness. They deserve skills, knowledge, agency, and pathways to meaningful careers in sustainability. TerraFuture's Youth Education Program equips young people ages 12 to 18 with the scientific literacy, data skills, leadership experience, and community connections they need to become effective environmental advocates and professionals.

Since 2021, our youth programs have reached over 1,800 students across 22 schools and community centers. Ninety-two percent of Climate Academy graduates report increased confidence in understanding environmental science, and 78% say the program influenced their educational or career plans.

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Climate Academy

The Climate Academy is TerraFuture's flagship youth program, a rigorous after-school and weekend curriculum for students ages 12 to 18. Over the course of a 16-week semester, participants explore climate science, environmental data analysis, community organizing, and policy advocacy through hands-on projects grounded in their own neighborhoods.

Academy cohorts are small by design, typically 15 to 20 students, ensuring individualized mentorship and meaningful project work. Each cohort culminates in a Community Climate Presentation, where students present original research and recommendations to neighborhood leaders, city officials, and TerraFuture staff. Past projects have included heat island mapping, air quality monitoring campaigns, stormwater analysis, and community energy audits.

The Academy runs three cohorts per year across two locations and has graduated 420 students since its launch. Applications are open to all students regardless of academic background, and TerraFuture provides transportation support, meals, and all materials at no cost.

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School Partnerships

TerraFuture partners with 22 schools across four districts to integrate environmental education into existing curricula. Our education team works directly with teachers to develop lesson plans aligned with state science standards that incorporate local environmental data, field experiences, and project-based learning.

Partnership activities include classroom visits by TerraFuture staff, garden-based science lessons at school garden sites, data literacy workshops using our open environmental dashboard, and facilitated discussions on environmental justice. In 2025, school partnership programming reached 1,200 students across grades 6 through 12.

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Career Pathways

Understanding climate science is valuable. Knowing how to build a career in sustainability is transformative. TerraFuture's Career Pathways initiative connects youth program participants with professionals working in renewable energy, urban planning, environmental policy, data science, conservation, and community development.

Programming includes career panels, site visits to solar installations and green infrastructure projects, informational interviews, and resume workshops. We maintain partnerships with four regional colleges and universities that offer priority consideration or scholarship opportunities for TerraFuture alumni pursuing environmental studies.

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Summer Fellows Program

Each summer, TerraFuture selects 12 Summer Fellows from our Climate Academy alumni for a paid, eight-week immersive experience working alongside TerraFuture staff. Fellows contribute to real projects, from collecting air quality data and maintaining community gardens to drafting policy briefs and designing community outreach materials.

The fellowship provides a $2,400 stipend, professional development workshops, and a dedicated mentor. Fellows present their work at TerraFuture's annual community celebration in August. The program is designed to give young people genuine professional experience while contributing meaningfully to TerraFuture's mission.

Since 2022, 48 Summer Fellows have completed the program. Eighty-five percent have gone on to pursue post-secondary education in environmental science, policy, engineering, or related fields.

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College Prep in Sustainability

For Climate Academy alumni considering higher education in sustainability fields, TerraFuture offers a College Prep track that includes SAT/ACT preparation support, college application essay mentoring, guidance on environmental science and policy programs, and introductions to our university partners.

Our staff maintains relationships with admissions counselors at partner institutions and can connect students with current college students in sustainability programs for peer mentoring. In the past two years, 34 TerraFuture alumni have enrolled in environmental or sustainability degree programs, with 12 receiving TerraFuture-facilitated scholarships.

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Impact at a Glance

• 1,800+ students reached since 2021
• 420 Climate Academy graduates across 12 cohorts
• 22 school partnerships in four districts
• 48 Summer Fellows completed paid fellowships
• 92% of graduates report increased environmental science confidence
• 78% of graduates say the program influenced career or education plans
• 34 alumni enrolled in sustainability degree programs

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Enroll or Support Youth Programs

Applications for the Climate Academy open each September and January. Parents, guardians, teachers, and school administrators can learn more by contacting our Youth Education team at youth@terrafuture.org or calling (555) 312-8803.