Embedded Files
What is AL-YASS?
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.
Workshops, Activities, and Panels
Workshops, Activities, and Panels
GLOBE workshop (David Padgett and Mary Enwemaya)
Hydrometallurgy: Simulating Heavy Metal Extraction (Ezra Phillips, UAH)
Working with Shared Resources (Amy Strickland, Auburn)
Artistic Workshop - Flora, Fauna, and You (Celeste Pfau, must sign up ahead of time) *must sign up ahead of time
Alabama Water Watch (Sydney Zinner and Carolina Ruiz)
Exploring Ecosystem Diversity (Hannah Millwood, Cahaba Biodiversity Center)
Trash to Truth: Recyclable Art as a tool for climate change awareness (Gylendora Davis, Andrea Baxter)
Lantern Art (Jamey Grimes, University of Alabama)
World Climate Simulation (Karen McNeal, Auburn)
Geospatial Data Science (Ankur Shah, Planet Sapling) **must sign up ahead of time; must bring a computer that connects to the internet for this one.
Student-Led Recycling, Bingo Game (Michelle Phillips)
Physics of the Climate (Kathryn Williamson)
HVAC Detective; Conduct a Classroom Energy Audit (Laurel Esposito, Energy Alabama)
Nature Journaling (Kelsey Barnett-Fischels, Paint Rock Forest Research Center, Freelance Writer)
Farm Tour / Service project (Scotty Feltman, Camp McDowell)
Teaching through Resilient Food Systems (Fernando Golunga-Medina and Shun Mac, Jones Valley Teaching Farm)
Optional physical activities: Guided Hike, Canoe, Low Ropes Course *must sign up ahead of time
Panel Discussions
Panel Discussions
Panel Discussion: Environmental Challenges and Opportunities in the Black Belt Region
Panel Discussion: Creative Communication and Mobilizing Action for Sustainability
College & Career Readiness Panel
Teachers, Presenters & Volunteers
Teachers, Presenters & Volunteers
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit! AL-YASS will be successful with the support of teachers, chaperones, workshop presenters, expert speakers, and volunteers. Student applications will be sent to teachers to share with their students.
Adult Supporter Roles (you may serve in multiple roles)
Adult Supporter Roles (you may serve in multiple 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. Teachers who would like to bring students to the summit must fill out the AL-YASS 2026 Adult Application. Accepted teachers will then be provided a student registration form.
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.
Student Resources
Student Resources
Student application forms are shared via teachers. Ask your teacher if you want to participate!
Engage in an action project and let's get together to share our lessons learned and 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.
Students must have a teacher chaperone.
Students must have a teacher chaperone.
Students will receive application forms from their teachers. Teacher, fill out the application form before to get invovled. 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.
Environmental Citizen Science Resources
Environmental Citizen Science Resources
Inspiration for Action and Youth Voice
Inspiration for Action and Youth Voice
The first ever Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit (AL-YASS) took place May 9th-10th, 2025 at Gulf State Park Learning Campus & Gulf Coast Eco Center. A total of 52 6th-12th grade students attended, hailing from Billingsley High School, TRiO (Calera High School, Montevallo High School, and University of Montevallo), I3 Academy in Birmingham, Mobile County Training School, Selma, and the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Additionally, there were 50 adult participants, including teachers, workshop leaders, volunteers, and chaperones.
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.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse