Pillar 1 : Systems Understanding (GOLD AWARD)
. 
The Gold certificate is awarded to students, teachers who set up a Climate Academy in their school. Or to individuals who establish a Climate Academy in their community or place of work.
These hubs are such valuable pockets of learning and action.
Typically, an Academy will meet once a week. At the beginning, the group take it turns to lead a session, thinking and talking through a chapter from the student book.
Once a good centre of gravity is established around this systems level material, the group sessions can move onto the development of some events or publications.
For students:
Option 1:
You can start with a small group of friends, meeting at a lunchtime, after school, or the weekend. Once you start, even if it is just with 2 or 3 people, it can quickly grow - especially once you start doing events or publications.
You don't necessarily need a teacher to guide you, some of the most dynamic Climate Academies are fully student driven. But why not encourage a teacher to join in?
Option 2:
If you have already been part of a Climate Academy, you could use your experience and understanding to set up another Climate Academy in your school, for a younger age group. For this, you would need to consult with your school about the most appropriate way to do this.
For teachers:
Option 1:
Talk with different teachers in the staffroom and ask them to identify students in their classes that show particular insight, maturity and civic openness. Then invite these young leaders to form a Climate Academy.
The Academy develops a number of critical skills that have a major value. The invitation can be framed as an opportunity to do something advanced and with an exclusive value for their university or future job applications.
The are deep academic skills in play (systems thinking, problem framing, critical thinking, engaging in complexity...). And the programme advances many wider skills (science communication, political agency, project management, identification of leverage points...).
Option 2:
There might be an existing Green Club in school. As students mature in these clubs, towards their later teenage years, it can be difficult to sustain interest and engagement. The Climate Academy programme is geared towards extending the challenge and complexity of their thinking and action - to match their growing scientific and political understanding.
The Climate Academy can be offered to 15 year old students (eg) as a reward for their years of engagement earlier in the school.
Option 3:
If you are a teacher of English as a foreign language, why not teach English through The Climate Academy programme?
There are many opportunities to extend their understanding and use of English through the Climate Academy videos and Student Book in Pillar One. And in Pillar Two, the students could make significant progress by engaging in publications and events. This purposeful learning adds many fresh dimensions to their language acquisition.
Option 4:
Many schools run after school activities, and in International Schools there are many Saturday clubs. Why not add The Climate Academy to these options? Deep green learning and action is funky, challenging and rewarding.
For individuals:
Why not set up a Climate Academy amongst a group of friends? Or perhaps with some colleagues at work? Or maybe you are in a "green group" already and fancy a fresh challenge and perspective?