National Wildlife Federation (NWF) with support from our partners and participating schools will develop a comprehensive, sustained professional development program for middle and high school educators, which will use our model education initiative (Eco-Schools USA) and NASA resources, data, curriculum and learning tools to help educators effectively integrate climate change science and literacy into their classrooms. In 2008, NWF was designated the U.S. host organization for the international Eco-Schools Program by the Foundation for Environmental Education. The program uses a framework to guide school-based teams in assessing their school environment, analyzing the results and designing a plan of action that includes integration into the curriculum including Earth system monitoring. Utilizing the Eco-Schools USA framework and global connections, NWF will develop an in-person and distance learning training for educators to leverage NASA's unique contributions to climate and Earth system science. NWF will work with educators from targeted schools around the country.

Over the course of the program, we will provide training to over 50 educators reaching 3,000 students. Our goal is to expand the program to 5,000 U.S. schools by 2015. NWF will work with NASA scientists/education specialists from EOS missions including ICESat, Aqua, Aura, Terra and Landsat, as well as staff from NASA's POWER and GLOBE projects. Additionally, major NASA venues and interface programs including Science On a Sphere (SOS), Uniview and RETScreen will be used to present often complex data. All of the NASA data, tools and resources provided by these programs offer cutting edge science that allows a visually appealing and accessible way to learn about Earth systems and climate change. This program will assist teachers in building student knowledge, skills and interest in the STEM disciplines and inspiring the next generation of climate scientists. NWF will work with PEER Associates to develop and implement a comprehensive evaluation of the program and with Eco-Schools International to distribute models of the program on a national and international level. U.S. teachers will have the opportunity to network and share data, resources and solutions with 30,000 Eco-Schools International located in 43 countries.

Year 1: Develop climate change curriculum using NASA data as a centerpiece and adapt it for Eco-Schools; develop GLOBE protocols on school energy use in coordination with POWER to enhance the Eco-Schools energy assessment process; create a professional development program and host first training workshop for 25 teachers from Chicago, Boston, Seattle, Houston and Washington, D.C; develop a citizen science monitoring and community service program utilizing NASA's GLOBE program and the Chicago Botanical Garden's citizen science project,Project Budburst; conduct a third party evaluation of the program to assist in national expansion of the Eco-Schools USA program on a stronger scientific and pedagogical foundation.

Year 2: Implement, evaluate and refine the program in pilot schools; host second teacher training including educators from Atlanta, Alaska, tribal schools (west), and international Eco-Schools participants; begin development and testing of online training course; continue evaluation of program utilizing results to enhance program and promote at national and international level.

Year 3: Translate curriculum into Spanish; use program results to evaluate school and student progress in learning about climate science and applications, impacts and solutions for global warming which will contribute to NASA's measurements for education; work with Eco-Schools International to pilot CCC in two other countries while providing implementation mentoring; disseminate the program through Eco-Schools USA and global networks, NWF's existing educator programs and our strong social marking outreach program and presentations at professional conferences.