Youth Action for Sustainability Summit

What is AL-YASS?

The Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit (AL-YASS) is a 2-day educational initiative, inspired by the Youth Climate Summit and the Youth Climate Institute, for youth in Alabama to share their environmental citizens science investigations, place-based sustainability interventions, creative works, and more, as they prepare to become resilient community and sustainability advocates and leaders. In addition to presenting their work, they also learn from professional scientists and community organizations to enhance their skills and resilience. See photos from AL-YASS in 2025 and 2026!

See artifacts from AL-YASS 2025 at Gulf Shores

See artifacts from AL-YASS 2026 at Camp McDowell

When?

In late April or Early May each year. We are still working on securing funding for 2027, so check back here for updates!

Where?

At a nature-based retreat, likely in North Alabama for 2027. We hope to cycle AL-YASS throughout the state year after year.

Student Share-A-Thon

Engage in a sustainability action project share your work with everyone at AL-YASS! Students learning and teaching each other is the most exciting part of AL-YASS. We can all share our ideas for next steps to build a safer, healthier, more sustainable and resilient Alabama for all.

How can you help your school and/or community move toward sustainability and environmental resiliency? What are some issues you notice and what do you care about? Air pollution and asthma? Reducing plastic waste and trash? Monitoring energy usage and transitioning to renewable resources? Water quality and aquatic biodiversity? Disaster preparedness and flood management? Soil erosion and framing practices? Communicating scientific data about the climate and inspiring others? Other concerns?

Alabama youth in grades 6th-12th are encouraged to apply to attend the Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit educational experience. To cultivate youth leadership, all student attendees are asked to share something. This can be as simple as a discussion question you would like to know more about from others to as sophisticated as a research poster. Creative expression is also encouraged if you would like to contribute art, a performance, a video, or something else. If you're unsure of what to do, talk to your teacher.

Student application forms are shared via teachers. Ask your teacher if you want to participate!

Environmental Citizen Science Resources

Inspiration for Action and Youth Voice

Teachers, Presenters & Volunteers

AL-YASS is successful with the support of teachers, chaperones, workshop presenters, expert speakers, and volunteers. Our goal is to cover as many expenses as possible for teachers, presenters, and volunteers. We can provide travel support and stipends may be provided, pending our fundraising efforts. More information coming soon.

Adult Supporter Roles

Teachers: Responsible for helping students prepare projects to present at the event. We expect accepted teachers to bring 2-5 students, perhaps more, depending on availability.
Chaperones: Every group of youth requires a chaperone. Chaperones must be certified by their school district to stay overnight with youth. Chaperones are responsible for students overnight. We expect chaperones to be teachers and/or youth engagement professionals.
Workshop Presenter: Share your skills! Teachers, non-formal educators, sustainability practitioners, researchers, and others, are all invited to facilitate 45-60 minute workshops for students and/or teacher professional development. The workshops will be hands-on, interactive, engaging actionable activities that increase participants' sustainability literacy.
Panel Speaker: Share your perspective and advice! There are a few opportunities throughout the Summit for panel discussion by dynamic engaging youth and adult sustainability leaders. These are meant to engage the full group of ~150+ people at once.
Volunteers: Volunteers may assist with a variety of tasks: event setup/breakdown, registration table, photographers/videographers, engaging with youth in fun interactive activities (already planned)

Priority schools are those who have been involved in STEMMing the Tide, Montevallo TRiO, UWA Black Belt STEM Teacher Training, YLACES grant recipients, and Youth Climate Institute Chapters.

Workshops, Activities, and Panels

AL-YASS networks sustainability experts, practitioners, and organizations together to engage in shared learning and community building. Workshops, activities, and panel discussion feature STEM content, arts-based communication, nature-based experiences, and more. Examples of workshops we've had in the past include:

GLOBE Citizen Science
Hydrometallurgy
Working with Shared Resources
Addressing Air Quality with Lichen
Recyclabe Art
Shout it Out! Film, Social Media, and Storytelling

Want to stay in touch about the Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability but not yet sure how to engage? Stay in the loop by filling out this interest form.

Interest Form

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