Teaching About Climate Change: My Conversation with Lily Jones from “Educator Forever”
I was thrilled to join Lily Jones on the Educator Forever podcast for Episode 110, where we discussed the mission behind Planet Bonehead and my journey in educational content development. We dove into how Planet Bonehead supports teachers with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to confidently teach climate change, and how the program inspires kids to tackle environmental challenges with curiosity and optimism. From the origins of Planet Bonehead as a pitch to Cartoon Network to the exciting plans for the Teacher Learning Center and Planet Symposium, this conversation was packed with insights and inspiration for educators and parents alike.
Teaching Kids About Climate Change
Lily Jones
Welcome, Bobby! So nice to have you here.
Bobby Donohue
Thank you. Appreciate it.
Lily Jones
Can you start us off by telling us a little about your professional journey?
Bobby Donohue
Sure. It’s a long story, but I’ll give you the short version. I’ve had a lot of jobs and worn many hats, but my focus has always been on inspiration and education. Whether teaching entrepreneurs how to improve their branding or helping artists tap into their authenticity, it’s always been about helping people grow.
For over 15 years, Planet Bonehead has been my passion project. It started as an idea for a cartoon and grew into something much bigger—a way to help teachers educate kids about climate change. I realized I could use my skills to make a real difference, and it’s been my driving force ever since.
The Birth of Planet Bonehead
Lily Jones
Tell us more about Planet Bonehead. Why did you choose to focus on climate change?
Bobby Donohue
Planet Bonehead began as a concept for a website where people could share thoughts on climate change. That evolved into an idea for a cartoon we pitched to Cartoon Network, but they were only interested in shows like SpongeBob. So, we decided to create it ourselves.
As the artist, I handled everything—animation, music, voices, video editing—and we managed to get it into schools through distributors like Safari Montage and Learn360. Over time, it became clear that focusing on climate change education was the way forward.
I have an engineering background and have learned a lot about green technology. Seeing the potential of green tech to save the world—and how little people know about it—pushed me to focus on educating kids. Grown ups weren’t making the necessary changes, but kids can grow up informed and empowered to take action.
Planet Bonehead for Teachers
Lily Jones
What does Planet Bonehead offer for teachers?
Bobby Donohue
I realized that teachers often lack three key things: knowledge, resources, and support.
Knowledge: Many teachers struggle with the myths and misinformation surrounding climate change. I’m creating professional development resources to help them learn the facts and gain confidence in addressing these topics with students.
Resources: Planet Bonehead provides standards-aligned classroom units, including videos and lesson plans. For example, our foundational unit on ocean plastics is available for free on our website.
Support: Teachers can feel isolated when addressing climate change. I’m developing initiatives like the Planet Symposium—a virtual conference where educators can learn directly from green tech and climate experts.
Integrating Creativity and Equity
Lily Jones
I know you integrate multiple subjects into Planet Bonehead. Can you share more about that?
Bobby Donohue
Absolutely. Planet Bonehead is designed for multi-subject teachers, especially those in grades 3–5. Each unit includes:
Art Lessons: Students can explore climate themes creatively.
Social Justice Lessons: Kids learn about equity through the lens of climate change without fear-based messaging.
STEM Focus: We emphasize engineering, science, and technology while showing how these fields connect to real-world solutions.
I’m also exploring ways to incorporate literature and other subjects. It’s all about creating integrated learning experiences that reflect how interconnected life truly is.
Supporting Teachers Beyond the Classroom
Lily Jones
Tell us about the Teacher Learning Center and Planet Symposium.
Bobby Donohue
The Teacher Learning Center is my hub for professional development courses. The first course, Climate Change 101 for Teachers, will cover the basics of climate science and strategies for discussing these topics with kids.
The Planet Symposium will be a seasonal event, launching in spring 2025. It will feature panels of climate and green tech experts, allowing teachers to engage directly, ask questions, and gain deeper insights. Starting digitally, I hope to eventually hold these events in person.
The Journey of Building Planet Bonehead
Lily Jones
Many of our listeners are educators considering starting their own ventures. What have you learned through creating Planet Bonehead?
Bobby Donohue
The biggest lesson is to align your work with your authentic self. It’s easy to get stuck in work that doesn’t reflect who you are. But when you focus on your unique talents and passions, you create something truly valuable for others.
It’s also about resilience. I’ve taken countless shots at making Planet Bonehead work, and not all of them hit the mark. But persistence is key. You learn, adjust, and keep going.
Closing Thoughts
Lily Jones
It’s been so inspiring hearing about your journey and Planet Bonehead, Bobby. How can people connect with you?
Bobby Donohue
The best way is LinkedIn or the contact form on PlanetBonehead.com. I invite teachers to explore the resources available—whether you join or not, there’s plenty to use for free.
Lily Jones
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Bobby!
