Cumming Nature Center
Climate Change Resources for Educators
The Finger Lakes CLE is a regional network of educators engaging youth in place-based explorations of how climate change is impacting our ecosystems.
ABOUT | GET INVOLVED | GRANT OPPORTUNITY | QUESTIONS?
Join the Finger Lakes connected learning ecosystem
Are you a formal or informal educator working with youth to investigate how our ecosystems are changing? Are you interested in exploring locally-relevant climate data with your students but aren’t sure where to start? We are here to help!
The RMSC Cumming Nature Center facilitates the Finger Lakes Connected Learning Ecosystem (CLE), a group of educators who are working together to share ideas, materials, and grant funding for climate and data related projects in collaboration with Learning Ecosystems Northeast. We are looking to support any educators who want to become more confident and comfortable engaging youth in studying climate change in our area. We are a group of teachers, environmental educators, librarians, scout leaders, 4-H leaders, and more!
join our network
Joining the Finger Lakes CLE gives you access to virtual meetings every other month, an email list with resources and opportunities, a peer network of like-minded educators, and access to exclusive grant funding. To join or get more information, complete the form below or email Public Program Coordinator Lann at adolen@rmsc.org.
Finger Lakes CLE Sign-Up
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GRANT OPPORTUNITY
Finger Lakes CLE participants may apply for up to $1,500 in grant funding for projects that support climate and data literacy in youth ages 5-18.
Submissions are due August 15, 2025; awards will be announced in early September. To apply, please complete the form above!
Please contact Lann Dolen at adolen@rmsc.org with any questions.
PROJECT ELIGIBILITY
- Applicant must be a part of the Finger Lakes CLE
- Projects must be focused on building climate and data literacy in youth ages 5-18
- Projects should involve analyzing or collecting data, preferably using NASA assets (please reach out if you have questions about this!)
- Projects must be completed by August 2026
- Projects must be shared with a broader audience after completion
EXAMPLE PROJECTS
- Pollinators: Students planted pollinator gardens, then studied the relationship between blueberries, bees and changes in spring temperatures. Students then created informational displays for their public libraries.
- Snow: Students completed a hands-on investigation on the properties of snow. Young students looked for animal tracks and studied how animals rely on snow and snow’s role in the ecosystem.
- Insects: Students studied why butterflies are migrating sooner. Other students studied why cicadas come out earlier.
- Snow depth and soil temp: A year long project in public schools. Students came up with their own research questions to study the overarching question of “Does climate change happen here?”
- Water chemistry throughout watershed: This included stories from older residents about the types of fish they could catch years ago versus now.
about Connected Learning Ecosystems
The Finger Lakes CLE works in collaboration with Learning Ecosystems Northeast (LENE). LENE focuses on empowering the next generation of climate stewards by forming learning ecosystems that connect educators throughout the northeast.
QUESTIONS?
Email or call the CNC’s Public Program Coordinator, Lann, at adolen@rmsc.org or at (585)374-6160 ext. 110.
