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High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

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Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit

On Climate, Equity, & Health

July 12 — July 19
$4,890 + airfare

Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit

On Climate, Equity, & Health

July 12 — July 19
$4,890 + airfare

Dive into issues of climate change, equity, and public health alongside peers, educators, and leading professionals from the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE). Choose an Action Focus based on your interests and explore how climate change is intertwined with public health, medicine, social justice, equity, economics, and policy. Gain perspective from scientists, health practitioners, policymakers, youth activists, climate creatives, and clean energy innovators at the forefront of tackling the climate crisis. Take what you have learned and transform your ideas into a Community Action Plan, and return home ready to address these issues in your own community.

This program was developed thanks to the support of Gina McCarthy, the former National Climate Adviser in the Biden-Harris Administration and former Director of Harvard Chan C-CHANGE.

• Meet Harvard experts working at the forefront of climate issues and public health
• Join workshops with climate influencers and engage with guest speakers
• Explore your Action Focus in depth through field trips and excursions around Boston
• Visit the Boston Museum of Science and Harvard’s campus museums
“The knowledge and advice I got from this program will be invaluable to my activism.”
—Otto E., Ridgewood High School, Ridgewood, NJ

Choose an Action Focus

Each student chooses an Action Focus based on their interests—Climate Communications, Press, & Media; Climate Science; Entrepreneurship, Industry, & Technology; Environmental Justice; Global Health, Epidemiology, & Infectious Disease; Medicine & Healthcare; or Policy & Advocacy. This Action Focus acts as the lens through which students view the challenges of climate change and public health.

climate-communications-press-media-action-focus
Climate Communications, Press, & Media
While the scientific consensus around climate change is clear, polarized media outlets and an abundance of misinformation have prevented a shared public understanding of the facts. Now we are also witnessing a similar dynamic around COVID-19 public health...
Read More
climate-science-action-focus
Climate Science
Climate change makes headlines daily. The climate is changing and the need to address it has never been higher. But what is causing these changes and what actions could most effectively address them and protect frontline communities? Begin by developing...
Read More
entrepreneurship-industry-technology-action-focus
Entrepreneurship, Industry, & Technology
What roles do technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific advancement play in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects? What current technologies have already been employed and what developments are on the horizon? Delve into...
Read More
environmental-justice-action-focus
Environmental Justice
As climate change affects public health worldwide, its impacts are not felt equitably. Racist policies have led to power plants, and other polluting sources to be disproportionately located in communities of color. How does climate change intersect with...
Read More
global-health-epidemiology-infectious-disease-action-focus
Global Health, Epidemiology, & Infectious Disease
Learn how climate solutions are pandemic solutions. What is the science behind diseases like COVID-19? How are diseases forming, spreading, or being controlled locally and globally? What patterns are there in infectious disease outbreaks and how can we...
Read More
medicine-healthcare-action-focus
Medicine & Healthcare
Explore the ways in which climate change intersects with the world of medicine. Where and how is clinical practice impacted by emerging climate and public health realities? What responsibility do doctors and other healthcare providers have in addressing...
Read More
policy-advocacy-action-focus
Policy & Advocacy
How is the U.S. viewed internationally on climate change? What role does it play in international governing bodies? What domestic policies and political considerations have influenced this role? Discuss how climate hazards threaten infrastructure, health,...
Read More
policy-advocacy-action-focus
Policy & Advocacy
How is the U.S. viewed internationally on climate change? What role does it play in international governing bodies? What domestic policies and political considerations have influenced this role? Discuss how climate hazards threaten infrastructure, health,...
Read More
medicine-healthcare-action-focus
Medicine & Healthcare
Explore the ways in which climate change intersects with the world of medicine. Where and how is clinical practice impacted by emerging climate and public health realities? What responsibility do doctors and other healthcare providers have in addressing...
Read More
global-health-epidemiology-infectious-disease-action-focus
Global Health, Epidemiology, & Infectious Disease
Learn how climate solutions are pandemic solutions. What is the science behind diseases like COVID-19? How are diseases forming, spreading, or being controlled locally and globally? What patterns are there in infectious disease outbreaks and how can we...
Read More
environmental-justice-action-focus
Environmental Justice
As climate change affects public health worldwide, its impacts are not felt equitably. Racist policies have led to power plants, and other polluting sources to be disproportionately located in communities of color. How does climate change intersect with...
Read More
entrepreneurship-industry-technology-action-focus
Entrepreneurship, Industry, & Technology
What roles do technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and scientific advancement play in mitigating climate change and adapting to its effects? What current technologies have already been employed and what developments are on the horizon? Delve into...
Read More
climate-science-action-focus
Climate Science
Climate change makes headlines daily. The climate is changing and the need to address it has never been higher. But what is causing these changes and what actions could most effectively address them and protect frontline communities? Begin by developing...
Read More
climate-communications-press-media-action-focus
Climate Communications, Press, & Media
While the scientific consensus around climate change is clear, polarized media outlets and an abundance of misinformation have prevented a shared public understanding of the facts. Now we are also witnessing a similar dynamic around COVID-19 public health...
Read More
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What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Harvard

Learn from experts at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as well as policymakers, academics, and scientists working in fields related to climate change and public health. Participate in workshops, attend lectures, and take advantage of all Boston has to offer.

Guest Speakers

Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of the Director of Harvard Chan C-CHANGE, Harvard professors, former and current policymakers, journalists, advocates, and clean energy innovators.

Community Action Plan

Develop a Community Action Plan based on your interests and round out the program with a presentation to your peers, sharing your vision for practical action to make lasting change when you return home.

Outcomes & Final Projects

Attain critical climate change and public health content knowledge.
Develop a Community Action Plan that can be implemented in your school or town, or inspire your life path.
Grow a network of peers and youth leaders to continue the work started at the summit.

Activities & Excursions

In addition to thematic program activities, students have the opportunity to explore all the culture, history, and cuisine that Boston, Cambridge, and Harvard have to offer, from the Boston Common and the North End to the Harvard science museums and Harvard Yard. Stroll the streets of Harvard Square, kayak the Charles River, or play frisbee on the Harvard Medical School quad.

Community

Become part of a community of high school students and instructors with diverse interests and a shared passion for implementing climate solutions. Students hail from across the U.S. and around the world, creating a vibrant and dynamic community of motivated, driven individuals, each bringing a unique perspective and life experience.

Accommodations & Meals

Students and residential instructors reside in a traditional residence hall at Simmons University, a short walk from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Rooms are singles, doubles, and triples, and are assigned by age; genders are separated by floor; and staff reside on the same floors as students. Residence halls have 24-hour front desk security, high-speed wifi, air conditioning, and on-site laundry facilities.

What to Expect

Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:

Harvard

Learn from experts at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, as well as policymakers, academics, and scientists working in fields related to climate change and public health. Participate in workshops, attend lectures, and take advantage of all Boston has to offer.

Guest Speakers

Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of the Director of Harvard Chan C-CHANGE, Harvard professors, former and current policymakers, journalists, advocates, and clean energy innovators.

Community Action Plan

Develop a Community Action Plan based on your interests and round out the program with a presentation to your peers, sharing your vision for practical action to make lasting change when you return home.

Outcomes & Final Projects

Attain critical climate change and public health content knowledge.
Develop a Community Action Plan that can be implemented in your school or town, or inspire your life path.
Grow a network of peers and youth leaders to continue the work started at the summit.

Activities & Excursions

In addition to thematic program activities, students have the opportunity to explore all the culture, history, and cuisine that Boston, Cambridge, and Harvard have to offer, from the Boston Common and the North End to the Harvard science museums and Harvard Yard. Stroll the streets of Harvard Square, kayak the Charles River, or play frisbee on the Harvard Medical School quad.

Community

Become part of a community of high school students and instructors with diverse interests and a shared passion for implementing climate solutions. Students hail from across the U.S. and around the world, creating a vibrant and dynamic community of motivated, driven individuals, each bringing a unique perspective and life experience.

Accommodations & Meals

Students and residential instructors reside in a traditional residence hall at Simmons University, a short walk from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Rooms are singles, doubles, and triples, and are assigned by age; genders are separated by floor; and staff reside on the same floors as students. Residence halls have 24-hour front desk security, high-speed wifi, air conditioning, and on-site laundry facilities.

“Charles found the instruction to be outstanding and the activities to be well organized and fun!”
—Carin G., New York, NY

Guest Speakers

Guest lecturers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Each speaker structures their lecture to relate to the various Action Focuses and their area of expertise. For example, an expert in air quality and pulmonary disease might discuss how air quality is directly linked to climate change and how communities of color in urban areas are the most affected by pollution and a lack of access to healthcare. They might expand on how health issues stemming from poor environmental health can be addressed in a local community, on a global scale, or through policy changes that will have a direct impact on the future spread of infectious disease.

Jeremy Wortzel, M.D, M.P.H., M
Jeremy Wortzel, M.D, M.P.H., M.Phil
K
K. “Vish” Viswanath, PhD
Idongesit Sampson
Idongesit Sampson
Mary B
Mary B. Rice, MD, MPH
John Quackenbush, PhD
John Quackenbush, PhD
James Stewart
James Stewart
Jeffrey Sánchez
Jeffrey Sánchez
Ella Niederhelman
Ella Niederhelman
James McKowen
James McKowen
Sappho Gilbert, MPH, PhD
Sappho Gilbert, MPH, PhD
Ann-Christine Duhaime, MD
Ann-Christine Duhaime, MD
Caleb Dresser MD, MPH
Caleb Dresser MD, MPH
Philip Dahlin
Philip Dahlin
Lindsey C
Lindsey C. Burghardt, MD, MPH., FAAP
Nicholas Arisco
Nicholas Arisco, MS PhD
Barrak Alahmad, MD, MPH, PhD
Barrak Alahmad, MD, MPH, PhD
75-1280x720
Tevin Wooten
63
Kari Nadeau, MD PhD
2-1536x864
Howard Koh MD, MPH
3-1536x864
Aaron Bernstein MD, MPH
8-1536x864
Gaurab Basu MD, MPH

Program Structure

Each day features a combination of Action Focus seminars, hands-on activities, excursions, and guest speaker events with the entire program community. After breakfast, depending on the day, Action Focus learning may start in classrooms and meeting spaces on campus, or students and instructors may travel to a nearby site for field-based learning before meeting with a guest speaker. After lunch, Action Focus seminars continue. 

Afternoons and evenings offer opportunities to explore Boston, participate in group activities, or work on independent projects. After dinner, students and instructors from all Action Focus groups convene for evening activities. On the final two days of the program, students focus on their Community Action Plan, which they present on the final day.

9:00am
Enjoy breakfast with your group
10:00am
Meet with your Action Focus group on campus to discuss topics for the day
12:00pm
Break for lunch at the Harvard Chan School with friends and your instructor
1:00pm
Meet with a guest speaker, then venture around Boston and explore your Action Focus topic in the field
4:00pm
Participate in group activities or work on independent projects
6:00pm
Enjoy a summer barbeque on the quad, or have dinner with around Boston
8:00pm
Community meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule

Program Structure

Each day features a combination of Action Focus seminars, hands-on activities, excursions, and guest speaker events with the entire program community. After breakfast, depending on the day, Action Focus learning may start in classrooms and meeting spaces on campus, or students and instructors may travel to a nearby site for field-based learning before meeting with a guest speaker. After lunch, Action Focus seminars continue. 

Afternoons and evenings offer opportunities to explore Boston, participate in group activities, or work on independent projects. After dinner, students and instructors from all Action Focus groups convene for evening activities. On the final two days of the program, students focus on their Community Action Plan, which they present on the final day.

9:00am
Enjoy breakfast with your group
10:00am
Meet with your Action Focus group on campus to discuss topics for the day
12:00pm
Break for lunch at the Harvard Chan School with friends and your instructor
1:00pm
Meet with a guest speaker, then venture around Boston and explore your Action Focus topic in the field
4:00pm
Participate in group activities or work on independent projects
6:00pm
Enjoy a summer barbeque on the quad, or have dinner with around Boston
8:00pm
Community meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
Featured

Instructors

Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.

amy-khalid
Amy Khalid
View Bio
alex-basaraba-headshot
Alex Basaraba
View Bio
cory-dinter
Cory Dinter
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Featured

Instructors

Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.

amy-khalid
Amy Khalid
View Bio
alex-basaraba-headshot
Alex Basaraba
View Bio
cory-dinter
Cory Dinter
View Bio
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“I’m constantly inspired by the young people whose creativity and passion have led the climate movement forward to where it is today. They understand better than anyone what’s at stake for health with climate change and know that we must have strong public health systems to meet the challenges we face. Our goal is to equip students with the science and communications skills they need to put their passion into practice, so they can make their communities healthier and stronger.”

— Dr. Aaron Bernstein, Interim Director, Harvard Chan C-CHANGE

Featured

Alumni in the News

From lobbying local selectboards to developing sustainable agriculture plans, Youth Summit alumni come away from the program with actionable plans that can be implemented in their home communities. Here are just a few of our Summit alumni in the news.