Avoid this
- Choosing a topic that is too broad
- Overwhelming the audience with too much data
- Using fear without giving context or clarity
High school project idea · Environment & Sustainability
Build a Climate Story People Can Feel
Transform climate research into a visual story, guide, or campaign people can actually understand.
Data matters more when people can connect it to real life.
Original Compass project by Davisville LabsReviewed August 2026Goal real work, evidence, and reflectionEditorial standards →
Why this project matters
Learn by doing something real.
Climate change can feel too large, abstract, or distant for people to understand emotionally. Strong environmental communication turns data into meaning by connecting facts to people, places, choices, and consequences. This project helps students translate climate research into a clear story that informs without overwhelming and helps an audience understand what is happening, why it matters, and what thoughtful action could look like.
What you will create
Your project plan
Use these deliverables as milestones for Build a Climate Story People Can Feel. Adapt the details to your interests, available time, and real-world opportunities.
- 01
Climate Issue Brief
Choose a specific climate or environmental issue and summarize what is happening, who is affected, and why it matters.
- 02
Audience & Message Map
Define who the story is for, what they may already believe or misunderstand, and what message would help them understand the issue more clearly.
- 03
Data & Source Set
Collect credible data, research, quotes, maps, charts, or examples that support the story without overwhelming the audience.
- 04
Visual Climate Story
Create a visual story, guide, infographic, short campaign, slide deck, poster series, or explainer that translates the research into something clear and memorable.
- 05
Climate Story Case Study
Publish a portfolio-ready case study explaining the issue, audience, research, design choices, feedback, final story, and lessons learned.
Make the work stronger
What separates a finished project from a meaningful one?
For Build a Climate Story People Can Feel, use these checkpoints to protect the quality of the work without turning the project into a performance for admissions.
Evidence that it is working
- A specific climate or environmental issue was chosen
- Credible research or data was collected
- A target audience and message were defined
If you want to go further
- Create a short video version of the climate story
- Test the story with five people and ask what they understood
Skills you can build
Capabilities that travel beyond this project.
ResearchData LiteracyVisual CommunicationEnvironmental LiteracyAudience Awareness
College application value
Use the project as evidence, not decoration.
Demonstrates intellectual curiosity, environmental awareness, communication, creativity, research ability, service, and the ability to make complex information understandable for others.
Intellectual CuriosityEnvironmental AwarenessCommunicationCreativityService
The goal of Build a Climate Story People Can Feel is not to manufacture an impressive activity. Do real work, keep evidence of the process, and reflect honestly on what changed.
How this guide was made
Read editorial standards →Build a Climate Story People Can Feel is an original Compass educational starting point designed around real work, visible evidence, feedback, and reflection. It is not an admissions guarantee.
Ready to build it?
Try this project in Compass