The Cooler Communities Blog

A Challenge For Climate-Focused High Schoolers!

A Challenge For Climate-Focused High Schoolers!

By Uli Nagel Sep 10, 2026
Fostering Future Climate LeadersHigh School students in MA have an opportunity to positively impact their community and gain experience designing and implementing a climate-focused program as part of this challenge.  Cooler Communities is partnering with Mass Energize and Green Community Catalysts to help mentor teams from across the state!Are there students in your high school ready to create real impact?The Youth Climate Solutions Challenge is an after-school community-based STEM program designed and directed by MassEnergize for high school students across Massachusetts. This climate leadership, team-based competition challenges students to design and implement clean energy and climate solutions, stepping outside the…
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Grant Opportunities for Climate Learning and Action

Grant Opportunities for Climate Learning and Action

By Uli Nagel Aug 26, 2026
After a wonderful 2026 season, we are thrilled to see Cooler Communities climate fairs becoming annual traditions in a growing number of schools and districts. This momentum is possible because of the tremendous energy and commitment of participating teachers and students, and the equally committed financial support of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. We are delighted that we can once again invite educators and schools to bring climate learning and action to their communities in the 2026/2027 school year.Read on to learn about this year's grant opportunities.School and district climate learning grants for grades K–12All elementary, middle, high schools and/or…
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With Gratitude And Amazement

With Gratitude And Amazement

By Uli Nagel Jul 23, 2026
As the school year comes to a close, we are grateful, inspired, and honestly a little amazed by all that the students, teachers, families, and community partners have brought to life this year so far. Across Massachusetts, from the Berkshires to Waltham, from Sunderland to Framingham, young people have been exploring what it means to care for their communities and their future. They researched composting, pollinators, native plants, clean energy, plastic pollution, classroom cooling, and so much more. They have created art, built projects, asked big questions, and shared practical solutions with the adults around them. Read more below! A…
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Springfield Students Lead with Curiosity, Creativity, and Climate Action

Springfield Students Lead with Curiosity, Creativity, and Climate Action

By Uli Nagel Apr 08, 2026
At the Springfield Science Museum, nearly 130 students gathered for the Springfield Cooler Communities Climate Fair—an inspiring day of learning, sharing, and connection across schools and grade levels. While the museum itself was closed to the public, the whole space came alive with students becoming each other’s educators and audience. Eighty students from elementary to high school grades shared art in a vibrant climate art show. Alongside them, high school students presented carefully developed science and civics projects, ranging from the impact of composting to the benefits of solar energy and an ongoing advocacy campaign for their school district to…
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Springtime At Cooler Communites :: Events :: Grants :: And The Detectives

Springtime At Cooler Communites :: Events :: Grants :: And The Detectives

By Uli Nagel Feb 26, 2026
Cooler Communities Fairs 2026 There is still snow on the ground across Massachusetts, but if you pause and listen closely, you can already hear the first bird songs of spring. The teachers and students, administrators and non-profits in the Cooler Communities landscape are busy getting ready for a season of expansive activities. This spring marks the sixth year of Cooler Communities Climate Fairs, and nine communities across the Commonwealth are participating in celebrations of climate learning and action. From the Berkshires to Greater Boston, students are not just studying climate science — they are building, testing, researching, designing, making art,…
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How Shall We Live?

How Shall We Live?

By Uli Nagel Feb 18, 2026
Berkshire Youth Artists Explore Their Relationship with the Earth How Shall We Live? is a powerful climate art exhibition featuring the visions and voices of Berkshire high school artists exploring their relationship with the Earth in a time of climate change. This year, the art show is hosted by the Clark Art Institute, followed by Pittsfield Town Hall and Sheffield's Dewey Hall. The opening reception at the Clark is held on April 18, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Clark’s Hunter Studio. The show runs through April 25. Students from local high schools will be contributing thought-provoking…
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The Secrets of the Sun: How Climate Education Amplifies Community Action

The Secrets of the Sun: How Climate Education Amplifies Community Action

By Uli Nagel Oct 02, 2025
When the Town of Westhampton announced a nearly $1 million state grant to build a solar array and backup system at its elementary school, the news rightly celebrated progress toward clean energy and resilience. And alongside the construction equipment and solar panels, another kind of power will be delivered to the school: kids’ and teachers’ education in the form of Every Westhampton student will receive a copy of the book, which also comes complete with curriculum and teacher training for educators. This means that while kids watch a solar array rise outside their classroom windows, they will be learning how…
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Cooling Classrooms: A Replicable Model For Students Anywhere

Cooling Classrooms: A Replicable Model For Students Anywhere

By Uli Nagel Aug 12, 2025
From Heat Islands to Cool Classrooms: How Students Are Fighting Rising School Temperatures   In much of America, going to school or summer schools between late spring and early fall now comes with an invisible challenge: extreme heat. According to a new Climate Central analysis, 76% of public K‑12 students in the nation’s 65 largest cities attend schools in urban heat zones where temperatures can run at least 8°F hotter than surrounding areas. This isn’t just uncomfortable — for students and teachers alike. Heat waves and overheated classrooms have forced some districts to dismiss students early, cancel classes, or even…
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Recap from Planet Fiesta in Longmeadow, MA

Recap from Planet Fiesta in Longmeadow, MA

By Uli Nagel May 28, 2025
Longmeadow held their Cooler Communities Fair on Saturday, May 3rd. The rain held off long enough for lots of parents and grandparents to come and learn from the students. They were extremely well prepared to answer questions about a variety of topics, from ocean plastics to composting, from pollinator friendly yards to the virtue of re-using and re-purposing resources. Among the highlights were the live band and the fashion show, expertly narrated by two elementary school presenters. Various town committees and vendors provided information for visitors about solar energy, local environmental justice issues, tree planting and electric cars, all of…
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Changemakers Forum for Climate Action

Changemakers Forum for Climate Action

By Uli Nagel May 27, 2025
Our team member Lisa Paul attended a conference in Andover last week (May 19) where she facilitated one of four discussions around climate action. Her topic was "Engaging With Schools And Youth". Members of over 30 communities attended the conference to discuss and learn about different strategies for taking climate action. The Forum was co-hosted by AndoverWECAN and the Town of Andover.  Andover WeCan
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