"Climate Action" Virtual Youth Forum for Ontario
Welcome “Climate Action” Youth Forum participants! This page is your home base for all the events, materials & links that are part of this Forum.
Please reach out to samantha@LSF-LST.ca if you have any questions or feedback!
Before You Begin:
We need your help! Before you start the Youth Forum with your class, please have each student fill out our short survey. We need this information for our funders. We can’t continue the Youth Forums without it!
Please forward this link to your students and ask them each to complete it ASAP: www.LSF-LST.ca/forms/cc-student-survey

Get Started!
- Kickoff Event: Learn more about the Youth Forum and hear from our inspirational keynote speakers, Abdullah, Amina, & Taif – John McCrae Secondary School students and Action Project leaders!
> Watch the Kickoff recording
> Check out the Kickoff slides - Climate Change 101: This course designed by our partners at Let’s Talk Science will bring your students up to speed on climate change knowledge before starting the Forum workshops!
> Access the course
The kickoff and climate change 101 course are optional, but recommended!
Student Workshops
Complete any 4 (or more!) of the following workshops with your students to receive your $500 Action Project grant!
Live Workshops:
All times in Eastern Time.
Remember, all live workshops are recorded so you can catch up if you miss one!
Workshop Description: In this session we’ll investigate how countries have individually contributed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the years and how they must now work together to mitigate the damaging effects of climate change. Students will learn what they can do to ensure Canada does our part.
Materials/Prep:
- Paper
- Writing utensils
- White board
Instructions:
- Students will be playing a collective jeopardy game, where points will be scored internally amongst classes.
- Groups will answer questions on paper in class and educators will be given time to record points for groups who get the answer correct on their whiteboard. This is just for fun!
> Watch this workshop recording
> Register for GreenLearning’s Decoding Carbon Challenge and propose your own innovative climate policy for Canada, your community or your school to win up to $1,000 in prizes!
Learn more about GreenLearning
Workshop Description: Unwrap links between plastics and climate change while we explore solutions, tools and actions we can all take to create a brighter future! How are we connected to these challenges and how can we help? Is plastic good or bad? What is a microplastic? Let’s discuss and share ideas for getting engaged in solutions!
Materials/Prep:
- Paper
- Pencil
>Watch this workshop recording
Follow up resources:
- Ocean Plastic Education Kit
- Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup!
- How to Host a Shoreline Cleanup Video
- Shoreline Cleanup Site Coordinator Guide
- Design Thinking Intro Slides
Learn more about OceanWise
Workshop Description: This workshop will explore the relationship between lifestyle choices and climate change. Through short activities and self reflection we will encourage students to think about how aspects of their life may contribute to climate change. We will present realistic alternatives that they can adopt which will help students to mitigate climate change and lessen their overall impact on the environment.
Prep/Materials:
- Activity worksheets – print enough for students to work together in small groups
- Activity 1 Answer Key – for reference
> Watch this workshop recording
Learn more about McMaster Climate Hub
Workshop Description: Carbon dioxide. It’s a problem. One that’s really hard to fix, especially for kids who don’t even have a say over the thermostat! What’s a kid to do?! The answer is: FIX STUFF. The best way to prevent carbon emissions is to reduce the amount of stuff being made, and shipped. And what better way to do that than to see ways to fix broken toys, tools and more with a tiny bit of know-how!
> Watch this workshop recording
Learn more about Science North
Workshop description: Museums collect objects because they help us understand, appreciate, and navigate the world around us. We present objects from ROM collections that speak to the causes and consequences of climate change. We also examine objects that remind us of human resilience and the solutions available to us. Through these objects, we find reasons for hope in the face of adversity.
> Watch this workshop recording
Learn more about The ROM’s new Climate Change Curator!
Workshop Description: So you’ve participated in the workshops and learned about all kinds of climate issues… Now what? Our Action Project Planning workshop will show you what an Action Project looks like and help you consider your interests and skills, your sphere of influence, and the root causes of the issue so you can take on the best Action Project ever!
Materials/Prep:
- Please print this worksheet (double-sided) – 1 copy per student
- Internet-enabled devices for Kahoot
> Watch this workshop recording
> Play the Kahoot
Pre-Recorded Workshops:
Available anytime!
Workshop Description: In this session students will explore how we capture and use the wind to generate electrical energy, how wind energy is being used across the country, and how students can support the transition to renewable energies.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
- Exit Ticket (use fillable PDF or print)
Workshop Description: In this session, students will explore a circular economic model in relation to the problem of plastic waste in the environment. Through examination of the Plastic Problem and technological solutions to plastic waste, students will feel empowered to address this complex issue and close the loop on plastic.
Materials/Prep:
- Educator Guide
- Handout (use fillable PDF or print)
Workshop Description:
This interactive workshop will explore climate change impacts and solutions through the Climate Atlas of Canada, an engaging online tool for students, researchers, decision-makers, and communities. As an example, we will look at the health impacts of climate change and students will have the opportunity to participate in a “treasure hunt” to find the answers on the site themselves.
Materials/Prep:
- Writing utensil & paper
- Internet-enabled device – 1 per student or shared
Workshop Description:
Students will learn to code a short program in Scratch that will allow them to create a “Choose your own climate adventure” game. They will code questions and answers, animate, and interactions with the program that will help them better understand how the littlest changes in their actions can have an impact. The learning is accessible to all ages and skill levels. This workshop is broken down into two 30-minute recordings.
Materials/Prep:
- Computer/Tablet
- Create a free Scratch account at scratch.mit.edu/join
This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada
Teacher Sessions & Resources
- PD Meet & Greet
More info about how the Youth Forum will work and how we can help!
> Watch the recording (10min)
> Check out the slides for details! - Café Chat
Check in on how it’s going and discuss next steps for taking action with your students!
> Check out the slides
Action Project Grant
Completed all your workshops? Time to request your $500 Action Project grant!
Feedback Form
We encourage students & teachers to offer feedback on each workshop using our form!
Additional Resources
- Check out our database of over 1,500 curriculum-connected classroom resources on R4R
- Empowering Learners in a Warming World climate change inquiry guide
- Engaging Students in Sustainable Action Projects guide
- Action Project inspiration on Our Canada Project

