Elgin High School hosts annual National Biodiversity Teach-In

Posted February 03, 2026 11:14 pm

By Tara Burghart, Elgin Area School District U-46

Hour-long webinars on biodiversity offered on Fridays in February

Scientists from around the world will participate in this year’s National Biodiversity Teach-In, organized annually by environmental science students at Elgin High School.

Featuring a series of webinars in the month of February, the goal of the event is to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and inspire those who join to take part in helping and protecting the environment.

The National Biodiversity Teach-In will feature approximately 20 webinars, all of which are free and open to the public. It will be offered between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CST on three consecutive Fridays, Feb. 6-20.

Subjects to be addressed during this year’s Teach-In include lemon sharks, captive whales beneath the surface, soil contamination, plastic pollution in Great Lakes, captive whales, development pressure impacts, and more.

As in previous years, the 2026 Teach-In is expected to draw environmental science enthusiasts, as well as whole classrooms of students, from around the globe. Over the years, it has registered more than 134,000 participants from more than 41 countries.

Environmental students at Elgin High School, guided by several teachers, have been working on the 2026 Teach-In since the beginning of January. Student organizers delegate the event responsibilities by committees. They troubleshoot technology issues, register participants, respond to media requests, advertise, and create promotional materials.

One of this year’s presenters is Jocelyn Wagner, an Elgin High graduate who is now a research assistant at the University of Illinois Chicago. Wagner is researching earth, energy, the environment, and sustainability studies. Her presentation on Friday, Feb. 13, is about Geology and Soil Contamination.

“It’s very easy to have feelings of hopelessness when discussing environmental issues, especially nowadays; however, it’s people who can look past those feelings that will go on to truly improve our world,” Wagner said.

Another former Elgin High student, Hadley Copeland, who in her high school years participated in the NBTI, will also be a part of the National Biodiversity Teach-In on Friday, Feb. 13. She currently works in a veterinary diagnostic lab focusing on salamanders. Copeland is excited to be able to share her knowledge and answer questions.

“It’s truly amazing to see how much NBTI has grown since my high school days. The expansion in outreach, education, and the variety of knowledgeable presenters has been remarkable,” Copeland said. “I can only imagine the countless individuals this event has impacted, inspiring and nurturing young minds along the way.”

The Conservation Foundation’s Beth Peluse is a first-time participant in the Teach-In. Her presentation on Feb. 20 is entitled “Conservation@Home: Native Plants and Climate Change.”

“Biodiversity is fundamental to our world, and it is essential that everyone understands its importance. The National Biodiversity Teach-In offers students a valuable snapshot of the many issues and disciplines that depend on biodiversity,” Peluse said. “By highlighting these interconnected topics, the Teach-In helps students better understand the complexity of our world while inspiring them to explore subjects they may wish to study further.”

Elgin High School's National Biodiversity Teach-In will feature approximately 20 webinars, all free and open to the public. It will be offered on three consecutive Fridays, Feb. 6-20. Courtesy of Elgin High School

The Teach-In first began at Elgin High in 2013 to raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity. After learning about the 100th anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon in 2014 and the story of Martha, the last known living passenger pigeon, the students’ interest and desire to discuss biodiversity with some of the best experts in the field increased.

Deb McMullen, now U-46’s coordinator of K-12 Science & Planetarium, was a science teacher at Elgin High School when the project launched.

“The National Biodiversity-Teach In was started in 2012 by a group of students who wanted a way to educate others about the importance of protecting biodiversity. We had no idea that NBTI would become the event it is today,” McMullen said. “Our students are mastering critical skills while connecting classrooms across the world to the people doing this important work.

“I love everything about this project. I love watching the pride of the students working on this project. I love learning from the presenters,” McMullen said. “I hope many people join us!”

The Teach-In website at nationalbiodiversityteachin.com has a full schedule and details on the speakers and topics being discussed. Those who register to attend a webinar will receive a personalized Zoom link.

Webinars also will be livestreamed on the Teach-In’s YouTube channel the day of the event at youtube.com/@nationalbiodiversityteachin and its Facebook page at @natbioteachin.