Rain couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of KO students who took their learning beyond the classroom and into the community at the West Hartford Sustainability Fair on Sunday, October 11.

Students in Dr. Dan Gleason’s “Literature of Climate Change” class traded their classroom discussions for conversations with community members, sharing their research, showcasing student-created electric vehicle (EV) advertisements, and challenging visitors to test their environmental knowledge with a Connecticut Sustainability Quiz.

Despite the chilly, rainy weather, students engaged fairgoers in conversations about sustainability, electric vehicles, and the choices individuals and communities can make to address climate change. The interactive booth gave students an opportunity to put their communication skills to work. Their EV advertisements invited visitors to consider electric transportation, while the sustainability quiz encouraged participants to think about environmental issues closer to home.

The experience naturally extended the course, which explores climate change through the lens of literature, science, journalism, and public discourse. Students examine not only the environmental challenges facing the planet but also how writers, scientists, and advocates communicate those challenges to the public.

In class, students have explored the work of climate writer David Wallace-Wells and climate scientist Michael Mann, considering how scientific accuracy, persuasive language, and storytelling influence public understanding of climate change. They also examined climate opinion data and considered how different communication approaches can inspire awareness and action.

At the Sustainability Fair, those lessons took on new meaning. Rather than simply analyzing how others communicate complex environmental issues, students became the communicators themselves, explaining ideas, answering questions, and listening to different perspectives. The conversations under the tent gave students valuable opportunities to connect their academic work with the wider community.

The experience reflects KO’s commitment to learning that extends beyond the classroom. By bringing their ideas to a public forum, students practiced the critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills that help transform knowledge into meaningful engagement.