The release of the 2024 Climate Literacy Guide by the federal government, which emphasizes climate justice, solutions, and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, marks a significant update to the principles guiding climate education. In response, CIRES' Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (CLEAN) has incorporated these updated guidelines into its extensive online database, which provides educators with over 1,000 peer-reviewed resources on climate change, including curriculum, videos, and data visualizations. CLEAN, which has supported climate education since 2008, focuses on fostering effective teaching practices and offers professional development for educators. Read more on the CIRES website.

CIRES has partnered with the ADVANCEGeo Partnership to launch ADVANCEing FieldSafety, a free online course aimed at creating safer, more inclusive field environments in geoscience research. Available through Coursera, the course is open to anyone involved in fieldwork, including researchers, students, and technicians. It addresses long-standing issues like harassment and exclusion in fieldwork by offering tools to improve team culture, communication, and safety protocols. Read more about it on the CIRES website.

Antonietta Capotondi, Anne Gold, Matthew Shupe, and Christine Wiedinmyer joined the CIRES Council of Fellows, bringing diverse expertise in oceanography, climatology, atmospheric science, education, and engineering. As CIRES Fellows, they will advise the director and help guide the institute’s future. Capotondi studies ocean circulation and climate, Gold leads climate education efforts, Shupe focuses on Arctic atmospheric processes, and Wiedinmyer researches pollutant emissions and air quality. Their appointments enhance CIRES' mission to advance environmental science and education. Read more about it on the CIRES website.

Girls* on Rock program, a 12-day wilderness science expedition, empowers high school youth—cisgender girls, transgender, nonbinary, and genderqueer youth—through hands-on research, outdoor skills, and creative expression. Fully funded by the NSF in 2024, the program allows participants to conduct field research in Colorado’s alpine environment while learning rock climbing, survival skills, and teamwork. It combines science with art, fostering personal growth, confidence, and leadership. Participants gain valuable experiences that help them overcome barriers to science and outdoor education, with the program’s ongoing evaluation ensuring continuous improvement and long-term impact. Read more about it on the CIRES website.

"We are Water" brings a traveling exhibit and interactive programs to rural, Latinx, and Indigenous communities in the Four Corners Region of the U.S. and engages community members in conversations about their personal and community connections to local water topics. Libraries in rural areas, which often function as the local science center, will host the exhibit, programs, and STEM experiences in their communities. Starting Saturday, July 13th, Mesa County Libraries will host the traveling exhibition "We are Water: Connecting Communities." Read more on the KJCT website.

The Education Career Action Plan (ECAP) is a statewide initiative designed to guide middle school students in mapping out their academic and career pathways. By helping students explore their interests, define their career goals, and plan their coursework accordingly, ECAP encourages them to take ownership of their future. The program fosters a sense of purpose by linking educational choices with real-world opportunities, ensuring students are better prepared for high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce. To motivate students and keep them engaged in the ECAP process, an incentivized component has been introduced. This rewards students who complete or stay on track with their ECAP goals, making the planning process more interactive and rewarding. For example, in January, as part of this incentive program, students had the opportunity to visit the "We Are Water" exhibit on a field trip. Read more about it on the Lake Powell Chronicle website. 

The new CIRES Center for Education, Engagement, and Evaluation (CEEE) is dedicated to three broad goals: excellence and inclusion in environmental science education, career development and training for scientists, and engaging with diverse audiences.

The Gunnison Times profiled local students' participation in the HEART Force wildfire curriculum, and their efforts to better prepare their community for wildfire.

In October 2023, the CIRES’ We Are Water team received prestigious recognition at the annual CO-LABS Governor’s Awards. The Pathfinding and Partnerships Award honored the ongoing program and the collaboration that was integral to the program's success. 

CU Boulder-led research program inspires community college student engagement in STEM