Early Eco-Literacy for Resilient Commons is a place-based climate education initiative that brings hands-on biomaterial learning and design into Philadelphia public schools. Developed by a cross-disciplinary team of architects, designers, educators, and social scientists, the curriculum engages elementary school students in exploring climate resilience through locally sourced biomaterials such as agricultural waste, food byproducts, and regional soils. Through the interconnected roles of Bio Explorers, Material Inquirers, and Bio Designers, students investigate their environments, learn material life cycles, and design climate-resilient futures for their schoolyards and neighborhoods. By linking ecological literacy with making and spatial justice, the program positions students as active participants in shaping more resilient civic commons.
Team: Santiago Cortes Mejia (Masters Student GSE), Eda Begum Birol (PhD Student ARCH), Sara Karlen (Arts Teacher), Sukie Yang (PhD Candidate GSE), Emily Hannum (Professor of Sociology and Education and Associate Dean, School of Arts & Sciences), Jere Behrman (William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Economics), Laia Mogas-Soldevila (DumoLab Director)
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