HDSB Students Learn and Engage at Climate Innovators Youth Forum

More than 250 students in Grades 5–8 from 35 Halton District School Board schools gathered alongside approximately 60 educators for a day of learning, collaboration and action focused on climate change and sustainability. The Climate Innovators Youth Forum hosted in partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future brought together student leaders and educators to explore real-world environmental challenges and develop practical solutions they can take back to their school communities.

The day began with opening remarks that set the tone for a student-centred, action-oriented event. HDSB Director of Education Curtis Ennis shared a message of hope for the future, and a video message from Burlington Member of Parliament Karina Gould encouraged students to recognize the power of youth voice and leadership in addressing climate issues.

A highlight of the morning was the keynote delivered by Grade 12 student leaders Griffin and Kallem from the M.M. Robinson High School Eco Rams club. Speaking directly to students, the pair emphasized that meaningful climate action starts with curiosity and a willingness to begin. “We all care, and we all want to see a difference in the world around us,” Griffin shared, noting that eco clubs of all sizes play an important role in creating change.

The student leaders encouraged participants to focus their climate actions by connecting their interests with the needs of their school communities. “When you go back from the conference today, you’ll have the opportunity to take on a climate action in your school and community,” Kallem said. “We’re all motivated and we’re all capable and ready to do something.” He explained that students can decide how to begin by asking themselves two questions: “What do you love to do?” and “What does your school need?”

Griffin and Kallem shared concrete examples of student-led initiatives that grew from this approach. Griffin described how her interest in fashion led to a clothing swap event aimed at reducing textile waste and increasing access to clothing for students. “The goal was to reduce textile waste so that everyone could have a chance to have something new without necessarily buying it,” she explained. What began as a one-day community event has since expanded into the revival of a clothing closet to support students’ needs for workwear and formal clothing.

The keynote also highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation. Kallem described how the Eco Rams partnered with their school’s computer engineering class to design an AI-powered waste-sorting system. “You can collaborate with classes, with other schools, with non-profits to make your visions come to life,” he told students, emphasizing that lasting impact is often built through teamwork.

After the keynote, students rotated through interactive workshops led by community organizations. Sessions explored topics including water quality, soil health, sustainable fashion, pollinator protection and eco-friendly transportation. Workshops were facilitated by groups such as Conservation Halton, Engineers Without Borders, Fashion Takes Action, Green Learning and Mohawk College’s School of Climate Action. Each session emphasized hands-on learning and practical strategies students could adapt for their own schools and neighbourhoods.

While students participated in workshops, educators gathered in a parallel professional learning session, deepening their understanding of climate education and sharing strategies to support student-led environmental action. 

In the afternoon, students reconvened for action project planning, reflecting on what they had learned and identifying concrete next steps. Teachers later joined students to hear their ideas during an action project sharing session, reinforcing the connection between classroom learning and student leadership. Each school left the event with a $500 Action Project Grant to support their innovative climate action initiatives back at their school communities.

"It was incredibly inspiring to see so many students come together with such curiosity, thoughtfulness and passion for taking sustainable action,” said Rachel Irwin, HDSB Environmental Sustainability Manager. “The Climate Innovators Youth Forum creates an empowering space for students and educators to learn from one another, share ideas and recognize their actions can truly make a difference. The energy, connections and conversations from today will continue to grow and have a lasting impact across our schools and communities."

Sam Gawron, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer at Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), said students are ready to move beyond awareness and into action. Citing LSF’s 2025 survey, From Awareness to Action: Canadians on Climate Change and Education, she noted that Canadian students made it “loud and clear that when it comes to climate change education, they want a greater focus on solutions and real-world actions.”

“HDSB and LSF are delivering just that,” said Gawron, explaining that while the Climate Innovators Forum brings together youth leadership, community connection and transformative education in a fun and unique event, “the Forum is just the beginning.”

With inspiration from local community organizations and new tools and strategies for teachers, students will use their $500 grants to lead youth-driven climate action projects in their schools and communities. These real-world, skill-building initiatives, she said, “will not only have positive impacts on the students involved, but will result in measurable climate change mitigation and adaptation across Halton region.”

Gawron added that LSF is proud to support the sustainability work happening across the HDSB and looks forward to seeing what students accomplish throughout the school year.

By centring student voice, fostering collaboration and connecting learning to meaningful action, the Climate Innovators Youth Forum equipped young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to engage in climate action alongside educators and communities, while supporting the HDSB’s commitment to Environmental and Global Citizenship in our 2024-2028 Multi-Year Strategic Plan.