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 iuipe@iu.edu.