As a collaborative effort between Esri and the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the Eco Ambassador Program at Columbia University’s Earth Institute is hosting a 2021 summer program for middle and high school students. The program will combine ocean science and sustainability with GIS and digital storytelling. The curriculum will include a storytelling workshop, and will leverage Esri’s existing ArcGIS platform, storytelling resources, and ocean-focused lessons complete with stories, maps, data, and instructional materials. Learn more here.

Students participating in the program should expect to:

• Gain knowledge on Oceans and the related SDGs.
• Gain access to scientists, policy makers, climate journalists, researchers and become aware of their research to expand their own research.
• Become a part of a network of youth to facilitate exchange of ideas and brainstorm solutions.
• Learn skills to collect real-time data.
• Learn GIS mapping.
• Learn climate storytelling.
• Create lesson plans to teach their peers.

In this introductory session, participants will learn more about the summer program's aims from leading education and ocean science researchers and students from Columbia University's Earth Institute. Speakers will include:

• Dr. Joaquim Goes, Research Professor, Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Earth Institute, Columbia University
• Dr. Radhika Iyengar, Director of Education, Center for Sustainable Development, Earth Institute, Columbia University
• Charlotte Munson, Student studying Sustainable Development and Business Management at Columbia University
• Jeremy Zimmerman, Class of 21' Columbia University graduate of Sustainable Development and Political Humanities
• Tara Stafford Ocansey, Senior Education Technology Specialist, Center for Sustainable Development, Earth Institute, Columbia University

Participants will also have a chance to ask questions about the program and brainstorm possible research topics for exploration and collaboration.

To start brainstorming ideas for how GIS and storytelling can help you identify and promote sustainability solutions, listen to these ideas from high school science teacher William Bertolotti and middle school student research Ishaan Bharadwaj.

Bring your ideas to the session!