New Wave Climate Conversations: Climate Cooldown with Thomas Yount
This workshop series introduces you to New Wave Research Project through guest speakers. Our goal is to provide guidance and resources to develop a stronger climate design curriculum.
Thomas Yount is the founder of the Los Angeles-based game studio Clean Earth Future and the creator of the cooperative tabletop game Climate Cooldown. Since its release in 2023, with the goal of improving climate literacy, Thomas has worked with educators from all academic levels to develop a comprehensive climate curriculum that is a companion to the game. Thomas holds workshops with partner organizations such as USGBC-CA and the LA Zoo, with Universities such as WLAC and MSAC; co-teaches at all levels with schools such as John Marshall High School and Universities such as UCLA and CLU; provides professional development for his game and curricula, guest lectures at schools and academic conferences across the globe and is currently authoring a chapter in a book on Games and Democracy. His goal is to make environmental education fun, accessible and energizing so that students (and all players alike) can be inspired to not only take action, but also learn how to build social capital and collaborate with members of their community.
In his workshop, Thomas will be sharing a glimpse into what amazing things game-based learning is capable of with Climate Cooldown in the classroom. He'll answer questions like:
How can a game help start the discussion on climate?
Bring a game into class? Where do we start?
How do we design front loading and scaffolding activities that wok ( and not just play the game)?
How was Climate Cooldown and the companion curricula designed?
How can we navigate "doom bias" and "false hope" in the classroom around such a potentially heavy, and even triggering, topic as climate change?
He will share video and visual accounts of experiences developing the game and teaching it in the classroom.
You will also have the opportunity to share what you are doing in the classroom. What is working and what might not be working. You will be able to connect and gain insights from fellow educators to bring climate design into your curriculum!
The format for this workshop will be:
5 minutes: New Wave Introduction
20 minutes: Speaker Presentation
10 minutes: Q&A
15 minutes: Attendees Share their Work
5 minutes: Conclusion promoting upcoming New Wave events
Event Details:
Date: November 5
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm EDT
Location: Zoom
RSVP Today!
Teachers and Students! New Wave would love to feature your work at our next Climate Conversation workshop. Submit your projects, assignments, research, or other creative work or pedagogy related to sustainability and climate resilience. We'll highlight your work during a session of your choice, as well as in our monthly newsletter.
If you have questions about the event, please don’t hesitate to reach out at newwave.researchproject@gmail.com
Let’s build a stronger community of practice—and inspire each other to keep pushing this vital work forward.
See you there!
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