Celebrating Student-Led Climate Action at the VINS Science Symposium

On May 8, 2025, the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Quechee, Vermont, was alive with the energy, curiosity, and creativity of students from across the Upper Valley during the ECAP (Equitable Climate Action Partnership) Symposium. This vibrant gathering, part of the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative’s ECAP initiative, showcased months of student-driven, service-learning projects focused on understanding local environmental changes and taking meaningful action. More than 150 students, along with 23 teachers and 92 family members and friends, came together to share and celebrate their work.

Older students share their climate action project as younger students eagerly engage with raised hands to ask questions.

From kindergartners to high schoolers, students proudly presented their learning alongside community partners—highlighting the joy and power of hands-on learning and collaboration. The day was made possible through the generous partnership of VINS, White River Partnership, Vermont/New Hampshire Energy Education Program (VEEP/NEEP), ReplayArts, PEER Associates, Education for Climate Resilience, and Regeneration Corps—with funding support from the Wellborn Ecology Fund.

A Day Packed with Learning, Sharing, and Wonder

Two students pause to admire the bald eagles at VINS during the Symposium.

For the older students, the day kicked off with a keynote from Rosi Kerr, Director of Sustainability at Dartmouth College who offered valuable insights on sustainability and the steps we can all take toward a more sustainable and climate-friendly future. This was followed by a live bird program, student project presentations, lunch, and hands-on activity stations in the afternoon. Younger students followed a parallel schedule tailored to their age, including a playful keynote puppet show experience and a live bird program. All students had time to explore the VINS playscapes and trails at various points throughout the day.

One Bethel Elementary School science teacher shared,

“This was such an amazing experience for our students. The event was very well run and set up. My students and families have been talking about it in such a positive way! I had multiple families come up to me this morning talking about how much their students loved it.”

And the kids?

"I don't know how anyone could not love this day!!" 

“Best day ever!”

Small Moments, Big Impact

From start to finish, the day’s schedule offered a balance of structured activities and open moments that allowed students, families, and community members to connect in meaningful ways:

✨ A mother and child walking up the path, hand in hand, when asked, “Did you

help build one of the trolls along the trail?” The child’s eyes lit up as they let go of their mother’s hand, bouncing with excitement and pointing, “Yes, that one right there, we built it!”

✨ A group of high school students approaching Rudi (Educator for White River Partnership) at the crawfish station, exclaiming, “Hey, I remember this! Weren’t you the guy who took us snorkeling in fifth grade?” They laughed and reminisced about the freezing water and how they had found nearly every critter on the ID sheet. That moment underscored the long-lasting impact of early outdoor learning experiences — these weren’t just school memories, they were life memories.

Students participating in the artistic river station.

Karen Ganey, Education Program Director at Regeneration Corps, summed it up beautifully:

“Seeing the littles looking up to the big kids’ projects and asking them questions really touched my heart… The artistic river station invitation was really great! I love that it’s not a competition, and the afternoon stations were fabulous — what a testament to hands-on learning. The power of community and collaboration is strong!”

Why It Matters

At its heart, the ECAP symposium isn’t just about science projects or classroom lessons — it’s about building community. Whether a student’s “community” was their classroom or the whole Upper Valley, they were empowered to identify local challenges, dream up solutions, and share what they learned with others.

It’s moments like these — a child proudly pointing out their troll on the trail, or a teenager recalling a cold-water snorkeling trip from years ago — that remind us why we do this work. Hands-on, place-based learning leaves a mark that lasts far beyond the day of the event.

This is Trunky the Troll, created by these kindergarten students at the Ray School. Alongside Trunky, you’ll spot handwritten notes where the students shared what they learned about trees — including observations like, “A thin ring means there wasn’t a lot of rain that season.”

Thank You

Thank you to all the teachers, students, families, community partners, and funders who made this day possible. Together, we are growing the next generation of environmentally responsible leaders, one meaningful experience at a time.

We can’t wait to see what these students do next.