2025 NYC SUMMER INSTITUTE

What if, in just one week, you could develop a better understanding of our climate,
become a more confident educator, build a network of wonderful colleagues from around New York City, and return to your school with new ideas about how to engage students with climate education?

Summer Institute on Climate Education​

The Center for Sustainable Futures at Teachers College, Columbia University, and NYC Public Schools Office of Sustainability are partnering to present the 2025 Summer Institute on Climate Education in NYC Public Schools from July 21 – 25, 2025, at Teachers College, Columbia University.

A vital part of LEAP’s education programming, the 2025 Summer Institute constitutes five full days of professional learning, in a collaborative space where high school educators, experts, and NYC Public Schools leaders come together to explore innovative ways of bringing climate education into classrooms. The Summer Institute will equip participants with the tools, resources, and ideas to:

  • Adapt climate education to their unique classroom contexts.
  • Meet educational standards while emphasizing place-based learning.
  • Inspire their students to engage with climate information as it relates to their lives and communities.


The 2025 Summer Institute is free. 
Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend, and may earn up to 28 CTLE credits. 

Applications are now closed

Summer Institute Goals

As the need and demand grows for the integration of climate education in schools, LEAP’s Summer Institute will help catalyze the preparation of high school teachers** to develop and lead lessons aligned with standards- and place-based learning.

The goals of the 2025 Summer Institute are:

  • Deepen teachers’ understanding of our climate.
  • Empower teachers to engage students across diverse subjects.
  • Co-create innovative teaching materials tailored to NYC.
  • Build a supportive learning community of educators from across the city.

** Subsequent Summer Institutes will focus on preparing high school teachers.
    Read about the 2023 Summer Institute for K-5 teachers HERE, and the 2024 Summer Institute for middle school teachers HERE.

Application, Dates, and Other Details

High school teachers throughout NYC are eligible to apply to the 2025 Summer Institute.

  • Application deadline: March 7, 2027
  • Decisions released by: April 1, 2024
  • Early decisions are available upon request


Questions? Please contact the Summer Institute team.

To request disability-related accommodations, please complete the Accommodations Request Form or contact the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) [phone: (212) 678-3689; video-phone: (646) 755-3144] as soon as possible.