NNA Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU)

Explore Arctic research with the NNA Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), a paid program for Alaska undergraduate students.

HEART Force: Building Colorado's Next Generation of Resilience Leaders

Empowering rural Colorado students to help their communities prepare for and respond to wildfire, flood, and drought.

$65 - $5,000

Your donation supports educational game printing, teacher training, student-led resilience projects, and connections with local community leaders.

The Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force (HEART Force) is an award-winning program that empowers rural Colorado students and educators to strengthen community resilience to wildfire, flood, and drought.

Through engaging classroom curriculum and scenario-based role-play games, middle and high school students explore the complex challenges communities face before, during, and after natural hazards. Students build critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills while learning how local decisions can reduce risk and strengthen resilience.

Beyond the classroom, HEART Force connects students and teachers with local emergency managers, land managers, water experts, and other resilience practitioners. Through student-led resilience action projects, youth have organized community education events, conducted wildfire mitigation and home hardening efforts, and advocated for positive change in their communities.

Recognized for its innovation and impact, HEART Force received the Innovative Environmental Education Program Award from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education in 2022.

Map showing Teachers Trained on HEART Force Curriculum Across the State

Photo caption: Teachers Trained on HEART Force Curriculum Across the State

My students finished the unit feeling inspired to take care of their community. They feel like they have roles as young people who can make a difference.

HEART Force Teacher

I feel like my students could be mediators between the fire protection district and our community. We are working with our fire protection district on ways to get information out to the community in terms they will understand.

HEART Force Teacher

I think this brought some perspective to the reality of climate change that encouraged students to become better prepared and look for actionable steps to help elicit change.

HEART Force Teacher

I learned a lot about community resilience and how to prevent wildfire, like different regulations in neighborhoods and having emergency personnel to protect people.

HEART Force Student

Three students listening to a first responder and a

Major Impacts (2018-2026)

Trained more than 125 educators across Colorado.

Engaged over 7,000 students in resilience education and action.

Supported teacher fellows with intensive professional development, community partnerships, and funding for student-led resilience projects.

Connected classrooms with local leaders and practitioners to build stronger, more resilient communities.

Learn More

Avista Fire Resilience Challenge

Watch this video to learn more about one of HEART Force's games, the Avista Fire Resilience Challenge. HEART Force games are a great tool to engage classrooms, communities, and experts in planning for resilience with a fun, competitive format.

Invest in the next generation of community resilience leaders.

Your gift to HEART Force helps provide educational games, teacher professional development, student resilience action project funding, and personalized support that connects students with local resilience planners and practitioners. Together, we can empower Colorado youth to take meaningful action in preparing their communities for wildfire, flood, and drought.

Donate today and help students turn learning into action.

Headwaters Drought Resilience Challenge - MS Student Worksheet

Headwaters Drought Resilience Game - MS Student Worksheet

Headwaters Drought Resilience Challenge - HS Student Worksheet

Headwaters Drought Resilience Game - HS Student Worksheet

Headwaters Drought Resilience Challenge - Teacher Guide

Headwaters Drought Resilience Game - Teacher Guide (Google Doc)

Research Ethics in Engaging with Arctic Communities

Join us online for ‘Research Ethics in Engaging with Arctic Communities’ on Monday, September 14, 2026, 3pm AKT | 5pm MT | 7pm ET!

The Navigating the New Arctic Community Office is excited to host Cana Uluak Itchuaqiyaq to facilitate a 1.5-hour workshop on conducting equitable research when engaging with Arctic communities. This workshop will explore supporting long-term community capacities and Tribal sovereignty as part of ethical engagement. Cana will also discuss recent fieldwork experiences working with Arctic communities.

Webinar: Visualization Strategies using Data and Art

The Colorado Department of Education will be hosting a webinar on "Visualization Strategies using Data and Art." The event will be facilitated by Hilary Peddicord, Education Lead for Science On a Sphere within CEEE.

2026 RECCS intern studying connection between cheatgrass and wildfire

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Subscribe to

NNA Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU)

HEART Force: Building Colorado's Next Generation of Resilience Leaders

Research Ethics in Engaging with Arctic Communities

Webinar: Visualization Strategies using Data and Art

2026 RECCS intern studying connection between cheatgrass and wildfire

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