The Sustainability Institute for Educators challenges participants to help learners build awareness, recognize responsibility and take action as global citizens working to build a sustainable world. Held annually in June, the institute is designed for informal and K-12 educators from all roles and environments.
Join us June 15-17, 2026
Systems Thinking
The Sustainability Institute for Educators (SIE) is a transformative three-day gathering of educators who share an interest and passion for exploring sustainability education.
This year’s focus explores systems thinking as a framework for understanding how different parts of a system influence one another. SIE will look at systems thinking as a way to see patterns, relationships, and feedback loops as tools to better understand root causes of complex problems. We will then explore how these tools help students better understand the relationships between environmental, social, and economic systems while fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Through hands-on activities, discussions, and guest speakers, educators will gain tools to inspire students to investigate the way different parts of a system interact within a whole, identify leverage points for action, and aspire to become change-makers and problem-solvers.
What We Will Explore
Integrated Curriculum Design: Learn to weave sustainability themes across subjects you already teach. Help students
see the invisible threads connecting sustainability issues across sciences, social
studies, arts, mathematics, and more.
Action-Oriented Project-Based Learning: Move beyond the textbook and explore how students can use systems mapping tools to
analyze and identify action projects that address relevant community issues. Help
students move from feeling overwhelmed by complex issues to inspired and capable change-makers.
Whole School Sustainability: Discover how to turn your school into a living lab that provides students the opportunity
to audit and benchmark their school building waste, stormwater, and energy.
Purpose-Driven Partnerships: Bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world. Learn strategies for collaborating
with local organizations on authentic environmental projects and promote leadership
and civic engagement.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the interconnectedness of sustainability issues and the intersection with education
- Recognize local resources that can support curriculum and changes for sustainability
- Collaborate with others to empower sustainably minded citizens
- Create a community of advocates for sustainable schools, institutions and communities
- Setting a foundation for adaption and resilience in sustainability education
2026 Event Information
Registration
The cost of the three-day institute is $125, which includes lunch. For more information, contact anglinsh@webster.edu.
Register for Sustainability Event here
Graduate Credit
The institute may be taken with a concurrent course for 3 graduate credit hours through Webster University for an additional $525. To register for credit, contact anglinsh@webster.edu prior to conference registration.
Event Location
- Day One: Saint Louis Zoo
- Day Two: Missouri Botanical Garden
- Day Three: Webster University
Directions and exact locations will be sent to registrants
Scholarships Available
The organizers for the 2026 Sustainability Institute for Educators are offering scholarships for educators and administrators.
Priority Scholarship Awards:Application Window: Feb 17, 2026 to May 1, 2026 | Award notification by May 4, 2026
Educators receiving scholarships must be able to commit and agree to attend all three
days of Institute.
Scholarships will be evaluated and awarded based on the following criteria:
- Schools with 75% free and reduced lunches
- Schools located in a zip code that is in the 70th percentile or higher for low-income neighborhoods (according to EJ Screen)
- Schools/teaching teams with multiple participants attending the Institute
- Schools who are enrolled in Missouri Green Schools+ or Green Schools Quest
- Educator is not able to have their school or organization pay for the SIE registration fee
- Strong educator rationale for attending
Eligibility
Educators applying for priority scholarships should meet at least 3 of the 5 criteria listed above. Any applications received prior to May 1 that do not meet this requirement will be evaluated and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis after May 1 until all scholarships have been awarded.
Please note, if you are applying for a scholarship do not register for the Institute
through the online registration system.
Contact for Information
For scholarship application, contact Kat Golden at katherine.golden@mobot.org prior to conference registration.
If you plan to take the Institute for graduate credit, contact anglinsh@webster.edu to register.
Hosts and Partners
The Sustainability Institute is hosted by
- EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden
- Saint Louis Zoo, Education Division
- U.S. Green Building Council–Missouri Gateway Chapter
- Webster University, School of Education
Founding Partners
