Professional Development

Current Opportunities:

The Monmouth University Climate Change Learning Collaborative (MU CCLC) was developed by Michelle Schpakow, Ed.D., Catherine Duckett, Ph.D., and Peter Jacques, Ph.D. in collaboration with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Monmouth University’s Urban Coast Institute (UCI), and Monmouth Conservation Foundation. With the funding support of the NJ Department of Education’s Expanding Access to Climate Change and NJ Student Learning grant, the MU CCLC will prepare NJ K-12 teachers to teach climate change in developmentally appropriate ways across all grade levels and subject areas. Monmouth Conservation Foundation, NJ Sea Grant Consortium, and the Urban Coast Institute will offer place-based curriculum and experiential learning opportunities. The MU CCLC program began in June 2024 and will continue to offer professional development events multiple times each month through March 2025.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

November 2, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Global Climate Systems and Human Society (Grades 6-12)

Grade 6-12 educators will explore the energy drivers of climate change, the effects on natural resources, and how these impact society. Real-world data transfer and climate models will enable teachers to closely examine resource availability and sustainable coastal ecosystems with both laboratory activities and field studies. Alternative energy sources will be explored as well. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.

This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Sunscreen and bug spray are always a good idea, as are hats when conditions are sunny and hot. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions click here)

Please register here by October 30, 2024. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

January 31, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Life Sciences Focus (Grades K-5)

Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning on topics such as species diversity, food webs, changes in weather patterns, and how these changes can affect coastal ecosystems. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.

This workshop will take place rain or shine and will have both indoor and outdoor components (weather permitting) utilizing NJSGC’s headquarters and Sandy Hook’s natural coastal environments. Please dress for the weather in comfortable clothing and footwear that may get sandy. Feel free to bring your laptop or notebook of choice. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch and a refillable water bottle. All field equipment will be provided by NJSGC.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions, click here)

Please register here by January 27, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

February 12, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Climate Change and the Ocean (Grades 6-12)

Grade 6-12 educators will explore the science of climate change in greater depth, and how it affects the chemical and physical properties of the ocean. Using models, topics such as storm surge, ocean acidification and sea level rise will be explored with both laboratory activities and field studies. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions click here)

Please register here by February 7, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

February 28, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Ocean Processes Focus (K-5)

Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Ocean processes will be the focus of this workshop as educators learn about the factors that shape our coastlines by exploring currents, wave action, sediment erosion/accretion, and physical and chemical characteristics of the ocean. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions click here)

Please register here by February 24, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

March 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Build Your Confidence in Teaching Climate Science – Human Impacts Focus (K-5)

Grade K-5 teachers are invited to explore the basics of climate science and effective ways to teach climate change to their elementary school students. Causes of climate change and impacts on coastal communities and ocean environments will be the focus of this workshop as educators learn about flooding and sea level rise, species migration and food chains, and renewable energy sources. Enhance your curriculum with new classroom activities and hands-on outdoor experiential learning. This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student curiosity and motivation to work collaboratively towards solutions in reducing climate change impacts. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to approach discussions on this sometimes-difficult topic.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions click here)

Please register here by March 5, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.

Experiential Learning Opportunity with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC)

Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook Unit

March 14, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Communities and the Cost of Climate Change (Grades 6-12)

Grade 6-12 educators will examine the economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities and how some populations are disproportionately affected by environmental challenges. Topics such as coastal resilience, ecosystem dynamics, and biodiversity will be explored with laboratory activities and field studies (weather permitting). This workshop will provide the tools and experiences necessary to inspire student inquiry and problem solving. Educators will also learn how to utilize research-based framework to communicate climate science and facilitate solution development.

Location: New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, 22 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732 (for GPS use “22 Magruder Road, Highlands, NJ 07732”; for directions click here)

Please register here by March 11, 2025. Space is limited to 30 participants.