The Community Noise Lab at the Brown University School of Public Health is launching the Summer 2026 Environmental Explorers School Program. This free, self-paced, online summer course is designed to introduce environmental science, promote community engagement, and expand middle school students' learning experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's new this year?

Thank you all so much for your feedback. We have greatly improved our Summer 2026 program. New improvements include: new courses, an ability for an explorer to choose their own pathway by selecting courses, and built-in incentives, including a badge book, student IDs, and certificates ready to print. 

Why is there a preregistration?

By preregistering your child/children, you are "reserving" a seat and helping us plan properly.

When will the program start and end?

The program will go live on June 12, 2026. This course is self-paced. Therefore, its end date will vary by explorer. Given that there are 25 modules, we anticipate that it will take about 2 weeks to complete the course.

Who is eligible to participate?

This program is open to any middle school student in grades 5 - 8. Students who completed 8th grade and will be in the 9th grade in the fall of 2026 are also eligible. We are piloting this program this summer with particular emphasis on students living 

What does this course entail?

Students can select 8-10 courses from a range of over 30 courses! Courses introduce explorers to a variety of environmental health topics ranging from air pollution to water quality. With each topic, students will engage with a short video, a lecture, a quiz, and a community-based assignment. 

Are there any supplies needed?

The majority of supplies needed to complete the program will be provided to each explorer by Community Noise Lab. By participating, you will also receive free copies of Community Noise Lab's activity books, currently comprising three books on noise pollution, water quality, and visual pollution.  Supplies can be mailed or picked up at various locations. We will share these locations with you during registration.

This is a virtual course; will there be any requirements to meet in person?

No, this course is completely online.  There are several activities that will require you to engage with your community.

Who is an ideal explorer?

This course is ideal for middle school students interested in learning more about environmental health, public health, and community engagement. While each module will need to be completed individually, we believe that this program would be great for summer enrichment programs where students can go through the course together. If you are running a program this summer, please reach out to us. We would love to accommodate your students.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

If you have any questions, you can reach Dr. Erica Walker, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. Her email is: erica_walker@brown.edu. To learn more about community noise lab, you can visit their website here.