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| March 2025 Program Spotlight |
| Dear BHS Community, At Brookline High School, we strive for students to learn by doing. An excellent example is the Climate Science and Social Change course supported by the Innovation Fund. This class offers students an interdisciplinary, hands-on approach to understanding climate change and its social implications. Currently taught by Roger Grande, this senior-level class moves beyond traditional coursework, challenging students to engage in real-world problem-solving. A recent project, Re-Green the Streets: Design Competition to Fund Urban Tree Canopy Expansion, demonstrates how students are pushed to explore the intersection of climate resilience, racial injustice, and urban planning. As part of this innovative project, student teams representing major U.S. cities — Los Angeles, Baltimore, Louisville, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee — researched the impact of segregation and social vulnerability on urban heat disparities. Their goal: to design a strategic plan to expand tree canopies in historically redlined neighborhoods, mitigating the urban heat island effect. Each team analyzed environmental and demographic data, crafted a mission statement, and proposed a sustainable urban greening initiative eligible for a seed grant. Their work culminated in a presentation to community evaluators, where students showcased their findings and solutions. |
| Students find the course to be eye-opening and empowering. Senior Sophie Finklestein, pictured above left, says, “I was looking for a science credit with a different approach than traditional courses. Climate change can feel overwhelming, but Mr. Grande shows us smaller ways we can actually make a difference.” Fellow student Nex Thompson, above right, adds, “I think it’s especially interesting to look at climate change through a lens of racial injustice and how it impacts communities differently. I never would have thought about that.” Here is a link to Sophie, Nex, and Gianna Gravina’s presentation. |
| This project exemplifies the power of hands-on, inquiry-based learning — giving students the tools to address pressing environmental challenges while deepening their understanding of social equity. The Climate Science and Social Change course is but one of many Innovation Fund classes that prove how education can empower the next generation to think critically, act, and create meaningful changes in their communities. Thanks for reading and supporting the Innovation Fund, which helps make Brookline High School a special place. Please remember to sign up for the 5K Run/Walk for Innovation on Sunday, May 4. It should be a fun event, with costumes, prizes, food trucks, and more. With appreciation,EricaInnovation Fund Liaison |