Youth Forums
LSF’s Youth Forums engage students in sustainability issues, equip them with skills and knowledge, and empower them to take action!
Whether you’re participating in person or online, our Youth Forums will provide meaningful sustainability learning experiences for your students.
Participating is easy:
- REGISTER YOUR TEAM: you & your class/club of dedicated students
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: educators get practical strategies, high-quality resources, and a community of like-minded educators
- ATTEND OUR HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS: students attend expert-led, hands-on workshops full of information and ideas for action
- GET YOUR GRANT: participating groups receive a grant to support your Action Project!
- STUDENTS TAKE ACTION: Make a real difference in your community!
Questions? Contact Sam Gawron at samantha@LSF-LST.ca
2023/2024 Youth Forums:
In-Person Youth Forums:
Stay tuned for more in-person Forums in the new year!
Halifax, NS • Oct 24 • gr 7-12 • Climate Action
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: Halifax, NS @ The Discovery Centre (1215 Lower Water St)
GRADES: 7-12
DATE & TIME: Tue, Oct 24, 2023 – 8:30am-2:45pm
THEME: Climate Action
DETAILS:
Who should attend?
- 1-2 educators*
- 5 student leaders
We encourage all types of classes, clubs or groups to send student ambassadors to bring ideas and inspiration from the Forum back to their peers!
What can we expect?
- Teachers get a full day of professional development focused on practical techniques and resources for climate learning, connecting to curriculum, and empowering students through climate Action Projects
- Students get an inspiring day of speakers and hands-on workshops designed to engage them in local climate issues, equip them with skills and knowledge and empower them with ideas for action!
- Your whole class/club gets access to our online library of virtual workshops to keep the learning going, including LSF’s Action Project planning workshop!
- Your team gets a $500 Action Project grant to make a real difference in your community!
Student workshops include:
- Divert NS: Our Waste & Climate Change
- CLIMAtlantic: Adapt Your Own Adventure
- Discovery Centre: Sail the Sour Seas Science Show
- Discovery Centre: Climate Quest
- Plus Clean Foundation, Parks Canada & more!
*Funding for supply coverage is available! See registration form for details
Ottawa, ON • Nov 14 • gr 5-8 • Climate Action
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: Ottawa, ON @ The Canada Science and Technology Museum (1867 St. Laurent Blvd)
GRADES: 5-8
DATE & TIME: Tue, Nov 14, 2023 – 8:30am-2:45pm
THEME: Climate Action
DETAILS:
Who should attend?
- 1-2 educators*
- 5 student leaders
We encourage all types of classes, clubs or groups to send student ambassadors to bring ideas and inspiration from the Forum back to their peers!
What can we expect?
- Teachers get a full day of professional development focused on practical techniques and resources for climate learning, connecting to curriculum, and empowering students through climate Action Projects
- Students get an inspiring day of speakers and hands-on workshops designed to engage them in local climate issues, equip them with skills and knowledge and empower them with ideas for action!
- Your whole class/club gets access to our online library of virtual workshops to keep the learning going, including LSF’s Action Project planning workshop!
- Your team gets a $500 Action Project grant to make a real difference in your community!
Student workshop schedule coming soon!
*Funding for supply coverage is available! See registration form for details
Parlez-vous français? Nous organisons également un Forum jeunesse francophone à Ottawa !
2024 UNESCO Schools Network National Conference • Toronto, ON • April 9-11
THIS IS AN IN-PERSON YOUTH FORUM
OPEN ONLY TO CCUNESCO SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS CANADA
LOCATION: Toronto, ON @ York University and the Royal Ontario Museum
GRADES: 7-12
DATES: Tue, April 9, 2023 -Thurs, April 11
THEME: The Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Action
DETAILS:
Who should attend?
- 1-2 educators*
- 2 student leaders
- Or 4 student leaders if your school has a Youth Council!
We encourage all types of classes, clubs or groups to send student ambassadors to bring ideas and inspiration from the Forum back to their peers!
What can we expect?
- Teachers get professional development focused on practical techniques and resources for climate learning, connecting to curriculum, and empowering students through climate Action Projects
- Students get 2 inspiring days of speakers, special events, and hands-on workshops designed to engage them in local sustainability and climate issues, equip them with skills and knowledge and empower them with ideas for action!
- Your team gets a $500 Action Project grant to make a real difference in your community!
Student workshop schedule coming soon!
*Please note, this is a closed event for CCUNESCO schools. The form is password protected. If you are a UNESCO school and you do not have the password, please e-mail jenn@lsf-lst.ca
Important Travel Information:
Participants are responsible for booking their own transportation to and from the event but travel subsidies will be provided to both teachers and students at the following amounts:
- Nova Scotia: $350/participant
- New Brunswick: $400/participant
- Quebec: $400/participant
- Ontario (Schools outside Toronto): $150/participant
- Manitoba: $300/participant
- Saskatchewan: $300/participant
- Alberta: $350/participant
- British Columbia: $400/participant
- Yukon: $500/participant
Please email dianne.gravel@ccunesco.ca if you have any questions about the subsidies.
Virtual Youth Forums:
National • gr 5-8 • Climate Action
THIS IS A VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: This Forum is open to schools anywhere in Canada
GRADES: 5-8
DATES: Oct-Dec 2023 (flexible schedule—join anytime!)
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Youth Forum Info Session
- Learn how all of this will work!
- LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speakers The Monkey Rebel Club – 2nd place winners of LSF’s 2023 Empowering Youth for Climate Action Awards!
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Watch any of these live workshops* (45 minutes):
- Green Learning – Spot the Troll: Climate Misinformation & Policy
- Ocean Wise – Overcoming the Wave of Plastic
- Parks Canada – (Re)building Better
- Let’s Talk Science – The Phantom Power Pursuit
- Earth & Company – We Are the Guardians
- LSF – Action Project Planning
*live workshops are recorded and will be available after the scheduled workshop time
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with GreenLearning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with GreenLearning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Code Your Own Ecological Footprint Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
- “The Journey to Your Plate: Food & Technology” with Let’s Talk Science
- “Creating and Coding in CoSpaces” with Canada Learning Code
- “EVs: Driving our Clean Energy Future!” with Plug’n Drive
- Special Lecture Presentation: “Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science: Bridging the Gap” by Kathleen Matari
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
National • gr 9-12 • Climate Action
THIS IS A VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: This Forum is open to schools anywhere in Canada
GRADES: 9-12
DATES: Feb-Mar 2024 (flexible schedule—join anytime!)
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Youth Forum Info Session
- Learn how all of this will work!
- LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speakers
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Watch any of these live workshops* (45 minutes):
- Coming soon!
*live workshops are recorded and will be available after the scheduled workshop time
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with GreenLearning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with GreenLearning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Code Your Own Ecological Footprint Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
- “The Journey to Your Plate: Food & Technology” with Let’s Talk Science
- “Creating and Coding in CoSpaces” with Canada Learning Code
- “EVs: Driving our Clean Energy Future!” with Plug’n Drive
- Special Lecture Presentation: “Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science: Bridging the Gap” by Kathleen Matari
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
MB, ON, NB • gr 7-8 • Water Docs at School
LOCATION: Manitoba, Ontario & New Brunswick
GRADES: 7-8
DATES: Jan-Mar 2024
THEME: Water Docs at School
SCHEDULE:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Youth Forum Info Session
- Learn how all of this will work!
- LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in learning & action
To Get Started
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speaker
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- Workshop schedule coming soon! Workshops from Ocean School, Ocean Wise, WWCGF, GreenLearning, and more!
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF
- Filmmaking workshop with Water Docs
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with GreenLearning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with GreenLearning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Code Your Own Ecological Footprint Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
- “The Journey to Your Plate: Food & Technology” with Let’s Talk Science
- “Creating and Coding in CoSpaces” with Canada Learning Code
- “EVs: Driving our Clean Energy Future!” with Plug’n Drive
- Special Lecture Presentation: “Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science: Bridging the Gap” by Kathleen Matari
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
Parlez-vous Français? See French Youth Forums
Stay tuned for more 2023/2024 Youth Forums—virtual and in person!
More info & registration coming soon!
Virtual Youth Forums:
These Forums were completed in fall 2022, but everything was recorded so you can join now & watch at your own pace anytime before May 2023.
Ontario • gr 7-12 • Climate Action
THIS IS A VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: This Forum is open to schools anywhere in Ontario
GRADES: 7-12
DATES: Join anytime! Complete before May 2023
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Youth Forum Meet & Greet
- Learn how all of this will work!
- LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speakers, TVDSB H3-ELP students
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Watch any of these workshops recordings from fall 2022 (45 minutes):
- “Spot the Troll: Misinformation, Perspectives & Climate Policy” by GreenLearning
- “Overcoming the Wave of Plastics” by Ocean Wise
- “Listening to Lichen: Nature’s Hidden Messages” by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
- “Climate Action: Lifestyle Choices for a Brighter Future” by McMaster Centre for Climate Change
- “Turtle Toolbox: Helping Species Adapt to Changing Ecosystems” by Parks Canada
- Action Project Planning Workshop by LSF
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with GreenLearning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with GreenLearning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Code Your Own Ecological Footprint Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
- “The Journey to Your Plate: Food & Technology” with Let’s Talk Science
- “Creating and Coding in CoSpaces” with Canada Learning Code
- “EVs: Driving our Clean Energy Future!” with Plug’n Drive
- + more!
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
National • gr 5-8 • Sustainable Future Schools
THIS IS A VIRTUAL YOUTH FORUM
LOCATION: This Forum is open to schools anywhere in Canada
GRADES: 5-8
DATES: Join anytime! Complete before May 2023
THEME: Sustainable Future Schools and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
SCHEDULE:
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- Youth Forum Meet & Greet
- Learn how all of this will work!
- LSF Teacher PD Package full of strategies, tools & resources for engaging your students in climate learning
To Get Started
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speakers, The High Park Earth Show students
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Watch any of these workshop recordings from fall 2022 (45 minutes):
- “Eco-Optimism: A solutions-focused approach to climate action” by GreenLearning
- “Water for Everyone!” by Waterloo Wellington Children’s Groundwater Festival
- “Sustainable Food for a Sustainable World” by
- Food Secure Canada
- “Nature Corridors: How to Help Pollinators in the City” by OakvilleGreen
- “Fashion, SDGs, and a Greener World” by Fashion Takes Action
- Action Project Planning Workshop by LSF
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with GreenLearning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with GreenLearning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Code Your Own Ecological Footprint Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
- “The Journey to Your Plate: Food & Technology” with Let’s Talk Science
- “Creating and Coding in CoSpaces” with Canada Learning Code
- “EVs: Driving our Clean Energy Future!” with Plug’n Drive
- + more!
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
Not seeing what you’re looking for? We have more Forums planned for winter/spring 2023 including Ontario, Remote & Indigenous communities, and French!
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about new Forums!
Our 2022/2023 Youth Forums are coming soon. Stay tuned!
SK • gr 7-12 • Climate Action
LOCATION: Saskatchewan
GRADES: 7-12
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Michele Martin
- PD #2 with LSF’s Michele Martin
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science (recommended)
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & with Teulon Collegiate Students, Sustainability Activists & Past Youth Forum Participants (optional)
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “Help from Kelp” with Ocean Wise
- “Collective Climate Action” with GreenLearning
- “Climate Hope in 2021” with Climate Change Connection
- “Why Trust Climate Change When We Can’t Trust the Weather Forecast?” workshop with Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
MB • gr 7-12 • Climate Action
LOCATION: Manitoba
GRADES: 7-12
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Michele Martin
- PD #2 with LSF’s Michele Martin
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science (recommended)
- Date TBD – Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & with Teulon Collegiate Students, Sustainability Activists & Past Youth Forum Participants (optional)
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “Help from Kelp” with Ocean Wise
- “Collective Climate Action” with GreenLearning
- “Climate Hope in 2021” with Climate Change Connection
- “Why Trust Climate Change When We Can’t Trust the Weather Forecast?” workshop with Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
ON • gr 5-8 • Climate Action
LOCATION: Ontario
GRADES: 5-8
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Pamela Gibson
- PD #2 with LSF’s Pamela Gibson
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101” lesson from Let’s Talk Science (recommended)
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speaker: Pineland PS Student & Action Project Leader (optional)
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “Help from Kelp” with Ocean Wise
- “Climate Change and Urban Forests” with Oakville Green
- “Watt a Waste” with GreenLearning
- “ReACT to Climate Change!” workshop with Parks Canada
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
NL • gr 7-12 • Climate Action
LOCATION: Newfoundland & Labrador
GRADES: 7-12
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: Climate Action
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Michele Martin
- PD #2 with LSF’s Michele Martin
To Get Started
- “Climate Change 101″with Dr. Joel Finnis, MUN (recommended)
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speaker Aaron Kingston, Youth Climate Activist (optional)
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “Coding for Climate” with Brilliant Labs
- “Climate Change & Sun Power” with Svetlana Barkanova
- “Become a Watershed Hero!” with The Fluvarium
- “Food as Climate Action” with Western Environmental Centre
- “Green Jobs” with Conservation Corps NL
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
National • gr 5-8 • Sustainable Future Schools
LOCATION: National
GRADES: 5-8
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: “Sustainable Future Schools” and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Pamela Gibson
- PD #2 with LSF’s Pamela Gibson
To Get Started
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speaker: Students from Port Elgin Regional School (optional)
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “When It Rains It Pours” with GreenLearning
- “Water Is Life” with Be The Change Earth Alliance
- “My Role in Pollinator Conservation” workshop with WILD Outside
- “Living Water: The Water Walking Movement” workshop with Tasha Beeds
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
MB, ON, NB • gr 7-8 • Water Docs at School
LOCATION: Manitoba, Ontario & New Brunswick
GRADES: 7-8
DATES: Join anytime!
THEME: Water Docs at School
SCHEDULE:
Teacher PD Sessions
- PD #1 with LSF’s Judy Halpern
- PD #2 with LSF’s Judy Halpern and WDaS veteran teacher Lindsay Butson
To Get Started
- Youth Forum Kickoff with LSF & Keynote Speaker: TVO’s The Water Brothers!
Student Workshops (pick 4+)
Check out our live workshop recordings (45 minutes):
- “H2O Flow” with Freshwater Alliance
- “Water Walkers, Water & You!” with Kelsey Leonard & Joanne Robertson
- “We Are All Water!” with Oakville Green
- “Water of the Archipelago” workshop with Parks Canada
- Action Project Planning workshop with LSF (recommended)
- Early 2022 – Filmmaking workshop with Water Docs (recommended)
Or pick from these pre-recorded options:
- “Harnessing the Wind” with Green Learning
- “Closing the Loop on Plastic” with Green Learning
- “The Climate Atlas of Canada” with Prairie Climate Centre
- “Ecological Footprint: Code Your Own Adventure Game” with Brilliant Labs
Complete at least 4 student workshops to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
Our Youth Forums won a
2022 Clean50 Top Project Award! Learn more
Now that In-Person Youth Forums are back, we can’t wait to see you and we are doing our part to offset any travel-related emissions:
LSF is offsetting our carbon emissions for travel to our in-person Youth Forums by purchasing carbon credits through Tree Canada‘s Grow Clean Air program that help protect old-growth trees in the Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative in BC.
In recognition of teams participating in the 2022-2023 in-person Youth Forums, LSF is planting one tree per team through Trees Canada National Greening Program. This program supports the restoration of forests and wildlife habitats and contributes to cleaner air, soil and waterways in Canada