This mini school is part of the UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus program for high school students ages 15–18. It is offered by the UBC Department of Geography.
The Climate Science and Climate Change Mini School offers early exposure to university-level pathways in climate and atmospheric science, environmental science, hydrology and water resources engineering, agriculture and food sciences, environmental policy, sustainability studies, disaster risk reduction, and Earth system science, preparing students to engage confidently with climate-related challenges in their future studies and careers.
Human activities such as land-use change and greenhouse gas emissions are reshaping Earth’s environment and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods, droughts, heatwaves and cold spells. These changes directly affect water availability and food production, making climate change one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Understanding these processes is essential for managing natural resources, reducing risks, and building a sustainable future.
Drawing on concepts from physics, hydrology, ecology, geography, and the social sciences, this mini school highlights the interconnected nature of climate, water, ecosystems and society. Through case studies, basic data analysis, discussion of current scientific findings and problem-solving activities, students explore how climate change influences floods, droughts, heatwaves and changing precipitation. Students also develop their analytical thinking and scientific communication skills.
This mini school is an excellent choice for students interested in geography, engineering, environmental science, food sciences, politics and policy and anyone interested in or concerned about climate change.
Course format
This mini-school is held on the UBC Vancouver campus.
On the first Monday of the session, you attend Orientation Day from 9am–3pm, which helps you build friendships, connect with your learning community, feel comfortable on campus and prepare for university life.
Starting on the first Tuesday of the session, you attend your mini school classes from 9am–12pm and 1:30–3pm on weekdays.
On-campus student life activities are scheduled for all students from 3-5pm on weekdays.
Instructors
This mini school is taught by professors and instructors from the UBC Department of Geography.
Residence and commuting options
Choose to live in a student residence on campus or commute daily to UBC Vancouver:
Commuter Option includes lunch in residence dining hall, Monday through Friday, and UBC Recreation Card.
Residence Option includes private room and full board, airport pick-up and drop-off, local medical insurance for all international students, weeknight and weekend social activities (e.g., trips to Grouse Mountain, English Bay and Robson Street), and UBC Recreation Card.
Who is eligible?
This course is for high school students ages 15-18 who have completed grade 10 or equivalent.
We also recommend students have:
- 78% average / 3.5 GPA / B average / IB 5 or higher
- IELTS of 6.0 / TOEFL 80 or higher (or equivalent) for students whose high school courses were taught in a language other than English.
Cost details
| Student type | Mini school fee* |
| Canadian and Permanent Resident | $2,175 CAD |
| International | $2,940 CAD |
Optional add-on
- Residence: $2,730 CAD
*All fees are subject to change.
To register
A Family Account in UBC’s Lifelong Learning registration system is required to register for UBC Future Global Leaders on-campus.
After you add the course to your cart and go to check out, you’re asked to create a new Family Account or log in if you already have a Family Account.
A parent or guardian needs to set up the Family Account with their primary email address. After the account is created, the parent/guardian adds the student as a family member to their Family Account using the student’s primary email address (the student’s email address cannot be the same as the parent/guardian email address).
Add the student to the course session in your cart and complete the checkout process.
After completing the checkout process, and while logged into your Family Account, select New Application to access the FGL information package. Your registration is not final until the information package has been completed and submitted. You may partially complete the information package and return to it at any time within your Family Account.