UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This fall, K-12 educators will team with Penn State faculty and staff to collaborate on ways to teach and implement sustainable efforts in schools during the inaugural Penn State K-12 Sustainability Summit.
Hosted by the Penn State Outreach K-12 Engagement Network and Penn State Sustainability, the summit will take place Oct. 16 and 17 at multiple locations at Penn State University Park. It will provide an opportunity for educational leaders that impact the K-12 space in Pennsylvania to engage in workshops to explore sustainability needs at schools and how partnerships with Penn State can support the school systems as they look towards a more sustainable future.
Peter Boger, director for engagement for Penn State Sustainability, said the role K-12 school play in sustainability efforts is significant.
“Sustainability is about acting today to ensure the world is livable for future generations. A sustainable future will also require those future generations to be equipped with competencies and approaches that ensure subsequent generations also inherit a sustainable world,” Boger said. “This summit focuses on the vital role our K-12 schools play in preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders and on the need these schools have for more resources and partnerships to be able to offer quality sustainability education.”
Beyond the classroom, Boger said the summit will also examine the need for schools to operate more sustainably, including a focus on school energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, waste management and sustainable food systems.
Amanda Smith is the director of the K-12 Engagement Network. She said the summit is a pivotal step in making stronger partnerships between Penn State and K-12 schools across the state that will have a positive impact on communities.
“This summit is a catalyst for change,” Smith said. “It will bring awareness to critical sustainability challenges and open new possibilities for collaboration. The impact on participating school districts will be profound, as they gain access to innovative resources, cutting-edge research and a network of support that empowers them to lead in sustainability education. This event is not just a meeting; it's a movement toward a more sustainable future for our communities."
The event is free to attend and is made possible by a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection grant to promote environmental education and stewardship across the state. Space is limited two representatives from 20 K-12 school systems. Due to high demand, the 20 spots have already been filled, but waitlist information is available here.
The first day of the program will include a sustainability tour of Penn State, including meetings with the College of Education’s Center for Science and the Schools and the College of Engineering’s Facilities Engineering Institute, followed by dinner and keynote address at local farm-to-table restaurant ReFarm Café.
The second day of workshops at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center will feature facilitators from the Global Schools Program and KnowledgeWorks. Global Schools is an initiative of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, which supports a community of 1,500+ primary and secondary schools in 100 countries with innovative teacher training and curriculum programs. KnowledgeWorks is a non-profit that helps partners in states and schools work together to align policy and practice, reimagining what education can do through personalized, competency-based learning.
Chris Kanik, chief executive officer and founder of Smart Cups, will serve as the keynote speaker. Smart Cups is a sustainability-driven technology company committed to addressing nutritional needs efficiently.
"Reaching the K-12 space is crucial because the habits and values children develop early on lay the foundation for the decisions they make later in life,” Kanik said. “By exposing young minds to concepts of sustainability at an early age, we're empowering the next generation to make smarter, more responsible choices for our planet.”
More information about the K-12 Sustainability Summit can be found here.