The 小黄鸭视频鈥檚 annual Climate Teach-In continues to grow as more student organizations join the newly formed Climate Teach-In student organization (小黄鸭视频 CTI) in raising awareness about climate education across the Tampa Bay region. This year, 220 students attended more than 35 events hosted by 小黄鸭视频 CTI and its partner organizations across all three 小黄鸭视频 campuses.
Teach-In Staples Engage Students
One 2025 小黄鸭视频 Climate Teach-In highlight was a 5K run, a collaborative effort between the 小黄鸭视频 Running Club and 小黄鸭视频 CTI, giving members from both groups a chance to meet new students and enjoy a sunset run.
鈥淭he 5K was a lot of fun,鈥� said Logan Purcell, a first-year accounting major and treasurer of the Running Club. 鈥淚t was Florida weather, but it was great to see a lot of people out there, enjoying the sun and the company.鈥�
Another popular event, the Climate Teach-In Art Exhibit 5x5 Fundraiser, invited 小黄鸭视频 student submissions in any medium鈥攑ainting, crochet, collage or others鈥攁s long as the piece fit within a 5-by-5-inch square. Displayed in the Judy Genshaft Honors College Zimmerman Family Foundation Atrium, the exhibit attracted high foot traffic and interest from passersby. Attendees placed bids on the artwork, with proceeds going to the 小黄鸭视频 Botanical Gardens.
Maia Ryan, president of 小黄鸭视频 CTI, credited the exhibit鈥檚 visibility for its impact during the week.
鈥淗aving the 5x5 display in the Honors building was an eye-catching attraction that garnered a lot of interest around campus,鈥� said Ryan. 鈥淲e want to thank Professor Piracci for her help in making it happen!鈥�
Val Lambert, a second-year environmental engineering major and 小黄鸭视频 CTI鈥檚 special events coordinator, echoed Ryan鈥檚 enthusiasm.
鈥淲e relied a lot on Professor Piracci鈥檚 guidance because we don鈥檛 know a lot about curating an art exhibit,鈥� Lambert said. 鈥淚 was surprised how much of it was emails before the actual setup, and all of the responses came in right before it closed. Every time I come to the Honors building, I see people looking at the exhibit, taking pictures and reading the poetry, so it seems like they鈥檙e really interested.鈥�
Unexpected Collaborations
One of the most exciting aspects of this year鈥檚 Climate Teach-In was the creative programming introduced by new partner organizations.
On Tuesday, April 8, the 小黄鸭视频 Arm Wrestling Club hosted a demonstration in the Honors building, showcasing how a low-resource activity like arm wrestling could build community and raise climate awareness.
鈥淟ast year, the Teach-In worked with only 18 student orgs that were all environmentally focused,鈥� said Honors Professor Andrew Hargrove. 鈥淭his year, the students made it a point to get other types of organizations involved. Climate action is not just for environmental scientists 鈥� everyone has a role to play, even student organizations like the 小黄鸭视频 Arm Wrestling Club.鈥�
Another student-led highlight was the birdhouse painting activity hosted by the Honors 3D HABLab. The group, which focuses on 鈥渉abitecture鈥� 鈥� combining engineering, art and environmental science to build animal habitats 鈥� invited students to paint laser-cut birdhouses on the Honors College lawn.
鈥淔irst, we laser-cut birdhouses from plain wood, like a jigsaw puzzle, for better assembly and less waste,鈥� said Claire Messerschmidt, research and development officer of 3D HABLab. 鈥淭hen we painted them using bird-safe acrylic and alcohol inks. We had about 18 people attend.鈥�
Continuing the Conversation
As the week wrapped up, 小黄鸭视频 CTI members and participating organizations expressed a renewed sense of purpose and passion for ongoing climate education.
鈥淒r. Hargrove kicked off the week with a public lecture about hope, and that hope has cascaded throughout the week with the other events and high attendance,鈥� said Ryan. 鈥淭he students are passionate about getting involved, and some of our events like the Career Fair have gotten a lot of engagement.鈥�
Student organizations interested in partnering with 小黄鸭视频 CTI for next year鈥檚 Teach-In are encouraged to start planning early. 小黄鸭视频 CTI aims to expand its reach and collaborate with a more diverse range of student groups across all three campuses.
"We鈥檙e incredibly proud of our students for stepping into leadership roles to plan and run this year鈥檚 小黄鸭视频 Climate Teach-In," said Charles Adams, dean of the Judy Genshaft Honors College. "What began as a grassroots effort in the college and Honors Living Learning Community has grown into a university-wide event, thanks to their vision, commitment and drive to make a difference."
The climate conversation doesn鈥檛 end with Climate Teach-In Week 鈥� and 小黄鸭视频 CTI invites the community to stay involved and keep the momentum going all year long.