Climate Hope: Action Rooted in Visual Arts + Nature Education (2024-2025)
This project asked how visual arts can be used to help children and teens better understand climate change while developing healthy coping strategies for climate anxiety. Drawing from the Nasher Museum of Art’s exhibition Second Nature: Photography in the Age of the Anthropocene and the Literacy Through Photography (LTP) approach, the team explored how art, nature engagement and storytelling could be combined to communicate the urgency of ecological and social crises while emphasizing resilience and hope.
The team conducted a literature review on climate anxiety, coping strategies and arts-based eco-education, assessed the state of climate education in North Carolina and collaborated with museum educators to design guided-looking exercises and discussion prompts tied to works in Second Nature. They developed lesson plans such as “Photography, Community and Water: Telling Stories Through Images” and a “Green Mission” card game, both aimed at helping students explore environmental challenges through creativity and collaboration. Durham Public Schools teachers provided feedback through workshops, strengthening the lessons’ classroom relevance.
The project also engaged directly with elementary school students through “Operation Spark Birds,” which encouraged second graders to explore and document nature using cameras and magnifying glasses. Beyond classroom work, the team co-curated Climate Hope: Photographic Works from the Nasher Collection in the museum’s Academic Focus Gallery, extending the project’s reach to the broader public. Together, these outcomes demonstrate how art can foster curiosity, critical thinking and optimism in young people facing the climate crisis.
Timing
Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
Team Outputs
Climate Hope: Action Rooted in Visual Arts + Nature Education (Interactive display presented at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 16, 2025)
Lessons plans and resources for K-12 educators
Climate Hope: Photographic Works from the Nasher Collection (Nasher Museum of Art, Academic Focus Gallery, spring 2025)
Image: Literacy Through Photography photograph made by students at the Chungbori Children's Center, 2013; Eumseong-gun, Choongcheong North Province, South Korea; project was facilitated by Duke Trinity graduate Michelle Jeon