About the HOPE Conference

The 2026 Climate of HOPE Conference brings together cutting-edge climate and conservation research, community outreach efforts, and engaging classroom-ready activities designed specifically for science teachers.

• Friday  February 27th 2026

• Host: Downers Grove North High School

• 8:00-2:30, breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee included

• The conference will explore the confluence of  inquiry, climate science, ecology, evolution, and community impact as they relate to our rapidly changing planet. 

• Sponsors include:  National Center for Science Education (NCSE), DuPage County Regional Office of Education (DROE), and the Illinois Science Teachers Association (ISTA),  

• Contact Information and FAQ's:  Use this link to access contact information for conference organizers.

Registration and Pre-Conference Information

Register for the conference using the link below. A $40 registration fee covers breakfast, snacks, materials, and lunch for each participant. REGISTRATION LIMITED TO THE FIRST 600 TEACHERS.

• Registration Link

• Driving directions

• Detailed conference schedule can be found below

• Lunch and food information - Sandwich boxes from Chartwell

• Link to breakout sessions: rooms, topics, times and presenters found at the bottom of this page or at the specific tabs at the top of this website.

• You will receive 5.5 continuing education hours through the DuPage ROE for attending this event. 

• Conference Hotel: For those traveling from out of town, the conference hotel will be the Hyatt Regency Lisle near Naperville; 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle IL.  60532.  Out of town presenters and teachers: use this dedicated link below to directly book your "Climate of HOPE room block reservations. ($107.00 / night) 

https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/LISLE/G-CLRB

If you need additional assistance, please contact Hyatt at +1 877 803 7534 or here. 

Post-Conference Information and Opportunities

• 5.5 CTE credits are managed through the DuPage County ROE.  If you have any questions please contact ROE directly at https://www.dupageroe.org/

• Speaker contact page contains, bios, and links to keynote speeches.

• Please feel free to visit our working lunch page to learn more/contact groups that will be at our conference- For example: NCSE, Morton Arboretum, ISTA, SubjectToClimate, NSTA, Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and so many more!