The Barbados 4-H Foundation successfully hosted its Climate Change Project on Rainfall Observation (CCPRO) Train-the-Trainers Workshop in August 2026, marking another important milestone in the implementation of the youth-focused climate initiative.

Held as part of the Foundation’s ongoing preparation for the rollout of CCPRO within schools and communities across Barbados, the workshop brought together educators, 4-H leaders and other key stakeholders who will play an important role in delivering the project to participating young people.

CCPRO is a youth-led climate initiative designed to strengthen young people’s understanding of climate change, rainfall observation, citizen science, agriculture, weather monitoring and STEM. Through the project, students will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience while contributing to greater awareness of weather and climate patterns in Barbados.

The project is guided by the motto:

“Our Climate. Our Action. Our 4-H Future.”

• Building the Capacity of Trainers

The Train-the-Trainers Workshop was designed to ensure that the individuals responsible for working directly with participating students are adequately prepared to deliver the CCPRO programme.

Throughout the training, participants were introduced to the objectives of the project, the CCPRO curriculum and the practical activities that will form part of the student learning experience.

The workshop provided an opportunity for trainers to strengthen their knowledge of rainfall observation and climate change while becoming familiar with the equipment, resources and teaching approaches that will be used throughout the programme.

The sessions combined discussion, demonstrations and hands-on activities, giving participants the opportunty to actively engage with the material rather than relying solely on classroom-based instruction.

• Hands-On Construction of 3D Weather Stations

A major component of the workshop focused on the construction and assembly of the 3D weather stations that will support rainfall and weather observation activities under CCPRO.

Participants were guided through the different stages involved in preparing and assembling the stations, including identifying components, cleaning and preparing materials and understanding how the various parts work together.

The practical sessions also introduced participants to the use of 3D printing technology within the project.

Working collaboratively, participants assisted with the construction of four weather stations, providing valuable hands-on experience that they can later transfer to the young people participating in the programme.

The activity demonstrated the strong connection between climate education, technology and practical STEM learning that is central to CCPRO.

Rather than simply learning about weather instruments in theory, participants were able to interact directly with the technology they will later help students understand and use.

• Preparing Educators to Take Climate Learning into Schools and Communities

An important objective of the workshop was to create a group of trained facilitators who can confidently support CCPRO activities within schools and communities.

Participants explored ways of making topics such as rainfall measurement, weather monitoring, climate change and environmental responsibility understandable and engaging for young people.

The training also highlighted the role that educators can play in encouraging students to become active participants in climate awareness and environmental stewardship.

By developing these skills among trainers first, the Barbados 4-H Foundation aims to create a strong foundation for the delivery of consistent and meaningful learning experiences throughout the project.

The knowledge gained during the workshop will now be transferred to participating students as the project moves into its next phase of implementation.

• Supporting Citizen Science and Climate Awareness

CCPRO places particular emphasis on citizen science, encouraging young people to become actively involved in observing and understanding their environment.

Through rainfall observation and weather monitoring activities, students will be encouraged to collect information, identify patterns and develop a stronger appreciation of how weather and climate affect agriculture, communities and everyday life.

The project also aims to demonstrate that young people can make valuable contributions to climate awareness when provided with the right knowledge, equipment and opportunities.

The Train-the-Trainers Workshop therefore represented more than professional development for educators. It was an important step towards establishing a wider network of adults who can support and encourage young people as they become climate observers, problem-solvers and environmental leaders.

• Collaboration at the Centre of CCPRO

The implementation of CCPRO is supported through collaboration with several organisations and technical partners. The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) and the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) provide important technical knowledge and expertise relevant to weather observation and climate education, while the Barbados Environmental Sustainability Fund (BESF) supports the implementation of the initiative.

The workshop also demonstrated the importance of collaboration between technical experts, educators, community leaders and youth-development organisations. By combining expertise from different sectors, CCPRO aims to provide participating young people with a programme that is scientifically grounded, practical and relevant to the Barbadian context.

• From Trainers to Students

With the Train-the-Trainers phase completed, attention now turns towards delivering the CCPRO programme to participating students. The student programme will expose young people to topics surrounding climate change, rainfall observation, agriculture, citizen science and weather monitoring through a combination of theoretical and practical learning.

Participants will also have opportunities to engage with weather station technology and better understand how environmental data can be collected and used. Weather stations associated with the project will further support practical learning and help create opportunities for ongoing rainfall and weather observation. Through these activities, students will not simply learn about climate change but will be encouraged to actively participate in understanding the environment around them.

• Investing in the Next Generation

Climate change presents challenges that will increasingly affect future generations, making youth education and participation essential. Through CCPRO, the Barbados 4-H Foundation is creating opportunities for young people to develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence necessary to engage meaningfully with environmental issues.

The successful completion of the Train-the-Trainers Workshop represents an important step towards that goal. By first investing in the individuals who will guide and support participating students, the Foundation is helping to ensure that the project creates a lasting impact beyond individual training sessions.

As CCPRO continues to expand across Barbados, the initiative will provide young people with opportunities to learn, observe, question, collect data and take action within their schools and communities.

The Barbados 4-H Foundation looks forward to continuing its work alongside educators, partners and young people as CCPRO moves into its next phase.

Our Climate. Our Action. Our 4-H Future.