As the climate crisis intensifies, the need to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills to address environmental sustainability is more critical than ever. The TRIO Inclusive, Strong, and Green (iStronG) curriculum was developed to meet this need, providing TRIO students with the tools to understand and tackle climate challenges head-on.
A Solutions-Based Curriculum
One of the standout features of the iStronG curriculum is its focus on feasible solutions. Rather than simply raising awareness about the critical environmental issues of our time, iStronG engages students in creatively exploring and demonstrating solutions that can be applied to their local communities. This approach helps mitigate the anxiety and hopelessness that can accompany climate change discussions.
The iStronG curriculum draws on science-based resources such as Project Drawdown, the Climate Interactive project at MIT, and the UMass Lowell Climate Change Initiative. Students gain essential climate literacy through these resources and are empowered to develop, model, and present positive solutions to their communities.
The impact of this approach is significant. Statistically, students who participated in the iStronG curriculum demonstrated substantial gains in their knowledge of science-based solutions related to climate change. More importantly, they reported feeling more hopeful and empowered to address these issues, even as they expressed deeper concerns about the climate crisis. Many students also showed increased interest in pursuing careers related to climate and sustainability.
Building Competencies for the 21st Century
The iStronG curriculum focuses on developing six key competencies essential for the 21st century:
- Understanding systems concepts and applying the habits of a systems thinker
- Empathetic understanding of global climate issues
- Climate and carbon cycle system literacy
- Introductory knowledge of Stella Systems modeling software
- Knowledge of climate justice solutions and their connection to green jobs and lifestyles
- Demonstrated preparation of a solutions-based project
Empathy plays a central role in systems thinking, as noted by Barry Richmond, one of the developers of Stella Systems Modeling software. Richmond explained, “Being able to empathize is a skill that can be developed—and is, in some ways, the ultimate systems thinking skill because it leads to extending the boundary of true caring beyond self.”
Empowering TRIO Programs to Make a Difference
The Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education offers the iStronG curriculum to all TRIO programs, providing a comprehensive set of resources to help educators get started. These resources include the iStronG conceptual framework, a student manual with 25 complete lessons, a teacher guide linked to the Next Generation Science Standards, and an introduction to Stella Modeling software.
The flexible curriculum allows TRIO programs to tailor the lessons to fit their local needs and growing knowledge. Whether a program chooses to use the entire curriculum or just a portion, iStronG provides the tools needed to address one of the most critical issues of our time.
By empowering students with climate literacy, systems thinking, and a solutions-oriented mindset, iStronG prepares them to become contributory global citizens and instills hope and a sense of purpose as they face the future.
The TRIO community is encouraged to embrace this resource, helping students navigate the challenges of climate change with confidence and creativity.
Dr. Cahalan, a senior fellow at the Pell Institute, is the former Pell Institute Director and served as the Principal Investigator (PI) of the NSF iTest grant #1759163, which funded the development of the iStronG (Inclusive, Strong, and Green) All-Hands-on-Deck curriculum designed specifically for TRIO programs. You can contact her via email at [email protected].