Presenter: Erin Leckey

Engaging youth in exploring local environmental change is an effective way to increase their agency in building resilience in their communities. In the Lentes en Cambio Climático (LECC) filmmaking program, we support students in conducting investigations into local climate effects. Middle and high school aged participants create films that document the experiences of community members and document local knowledge around climate topics. LECC culminates in a public film screening event in which students share their films with the community and participate in an open discussion on the films and related topics. These film events present an opportunity for students to share their knowledge and message to their community, multiplying the effects of the program and empowering students to be leaders in increasing community resilience.

A mixed-methods research design measures the impacts of the program on participants in terms of their interest in STEM topics, and climate science in particular, their belief in climate change and its causes, and possible solutions. Preliminary results from summer 2018 and 2019 implementations suggest that participation in LECC increases confidence and engagement around climate science in the youth participants, as well as increases their interest in contributing to community resilience. In addition, comments from community members during the screening event indicate that the films are an effective way of communicating these topics and their importance to students’ families and other community members.