Youth Environmental Leadership Summit

Youth Environmental Leadership Summit (YELS)

The Youth Environmental Leadership Summit (YELS) is an immersive, on-campus experience at Indiana University Bloomington that brings high school students and educators into direct contact with cutting-edge environmental research and real-world problem solving.

During YELS, students participate in in-depth laboratory and facility tours where IU researchers demonstrate how multimillion-dollar research equipment is used to study environmental systems. These experiences are paired with faculty-led workshops that challenge students to think critically about current environmental issues and to explore how research informs solutions at local, national, and global scales.

Students typically attend with a teacher or school group, though exceptions can be made in certain cases. Interested students and educators are encouraged to reach out to ESSI to inquire about attending. Student registration for YELS will open in fall 2026.

Interested in learning more or attending YELS 2026? Email the ESSI team at essi@iu.edu.

YELS 2026 Schedule

Sample itinerary

TimeEvent
9:30 – 10:00 AMArrival, Check-in, and Breakfast
10:00 – 10:30 AMOpening Ceremony
10:30 AM – 12:00 PMEnvironmental Science Lab Tours
12:00 – 12:30 PMLunch
12:30 – 2:00 PMFaculty-led Environmental Workshops
2:00 – 2:30 PMClosing Ceremony

Keynote speech

During the opening ceremony, the Director of the Environment, Society, and Sustainability Institute will deliver a keynote speech addressing current environmental and sustainability issues.

Lab tours

Students will tour several of Indiana University’s bleeding-edge environmental research labs, where faculty are uncovering the mysteries of our natural world and finding solutions to create a more sustainable society. In each lab, students will learn about the research being conducted and the equipment that enables it. They will also participate in a hands-on activity or demonstration that relates to the research focus of the laboratory.

Workshop

In the afternoon, students will attend a workshop led by IU faculty. Unlike a typical college lecture, this workshop will require active participation and involvement from students. They will be asked to discuss, problem-solve, think critically, and potentially practice using advanced research equipment.