Mapping (climate) justice: Empowering southwest Florida youth through summer STEM learning

Photo courtesy of trubel&co.

By Laken Sylvander.

This blog is part of the Afterschool Alliance's “Collective for Youth Empowerment in STEM & Society” (CYESS) initiative. This series of blogs highlights examples of programs working at the  intersection of STEM and civic engagement. We are excited to showcase  the systemic change young people can make in their communities when  their afterschool programs support them to layer action onto their STEM  learning. If you would like to know more or submit a blog about your  youth action program, please contact us.

2023 witnessed the remarkable growth of trubel&co’s (“trouble and co”) flagship program, Mapping Justice. This year, the initiative took a significant leap forward, placing a special focus on fostering environmental justice in the context of technical skillbuilding for Southwest Florida youth. trubel&co launched this iteration of the program, Mapping (Climate) Justice, in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). FGCU’s request for a climate-focused Mapping Justice came after Fort Myers, Florida, experienced a Category 5 hurricane in 2022. In response, trubel&co adapted the existing curriculum to leverage GIS-backed storytelling, providing Southwest Florida youth with a framework for understanding environmental justice in their pursuit of community activism. This diverse and enthusiastic Southwest Florida cohort harnessed the power of geographic information systems (GIS) and data-backed storytelling to shed light on urgent climate issues in their own communities, including hurricane preparedness, coral bleaching, clean water access, and the impact of rising temperatures on Florida’s vulnerable populations. I encourage you to explore these projects to experience just how impactful data visualization and mapping are in the fight for justice. With a focus on building hard STEM skills intertwined with critical consciousness and social impact, Mapping (Climate) Justice significantly impacts youth residing on the frontlines of climate change.

At the core of Mapping Justice lies the recognition that equipping youth leaders with technical proficiency in GIS isn't just about managing data; it's about empowering youth as agents of change within their communities. Through eight weeks of custom-tailored summer learning and collaborative capstone projects, high school students delved into the world of GIS, mastering the tools that enable the mapping and analysis of geographical data. But what set Mapping Justice apart was its intentional pairing of these technical skills with critical thinking and a deep understanding of social impact.

This capstone project by '23 Mapping (Climate) Justice student Cristina explores the impact of rising high temperatures on Florida's vulnerable populations. The dashboard above provides an overview of her research and highlights the effects of heat islands in urban areas, particularly those in low-income communities, using environmental and demographic data. Click to learn more.

The curriculum was thoughtfully designed to foster a holistic approach, integrating STEM education with discussions on social justice, environmental activism, and community resilience. Participants not only learned how to map geographic information, but also how to wield that knowledge as a force for positive change in their own backyards.

Moreover, Mapping Justice nurtured a sense of ownership and pride among the participants. They didn't just acquire skills; they became catalysts for change within their communities, understanding the power of their voices and actions in addressing pressing environmental issues.

Trubel&co's commitment to fostering continuous summer learning that marries STEM education with critical consciousness is a testament to the transformative impact it can have on youth. By nurturing these budding leaders, Southwest Florida is poised to witness a generation that not only understands the intricacies of climate change but actively engages in and drives its solutions. As the landscape of Florida’s education system rapidly shifts under current leadership, programs like Mapping Justice are more essential than ever. Trubel&co is actively seeking private partnerships that will allow for social impact programming in Florida, empowering youth leaders to drive change in and for their communities.

As the success of Mapping Justice reverberates across new regions, it stands as an important example of how summer learning can transcend and supplement mere academic pursuits. They can become platforms for empowerment, equipping the next generation with the skills, knowledge, and passion to create a more resilient and just future for all.

Looking to spark good “trubel” in your community? trubel&co is bringing programming to Detroit, Michigan, St. Louis, Missouri, Maui, Hawai’i, and Southwest Florida region in 2024! We are enthusiastically looking for partners in summer learning programs in these regions to reach more high-school-aged youth who are underrepresented in STEM as we scale our work. Please reach out to hello@trubel.co so we can chat about ways to collaborate to make these STEM learning opportunities  accessible and cost-free for diverse youth!