Dr. Petra Huck

Her former career as a premier climate scientist enabled Dr. Petra Huck to travel and explore all around the world.

But it is her current role as the inaugural Jennifer Caldwell and John Fisher Cranbrook Climate Science Fellow that keeps her where she wants to be and doing what she enjoys.

While earning her PhD in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, as well as an MS/BS in Meteorology and Climate Research from the University of Karlsruhe in Germany, Huck was a research scientist in climate conscious hot spots like New Zealand, Alaska, Boulder, Colorado and Toronto.

She took time off from her career to her raise her family in Switzerland before going on a year-long, 21-country jaunt around the globe with her husband Thomas Lotz, an engineer, and their three daughters, who were five, eight and nine years old at the time. They returned home to Switzerland to ride out the COVID pandemic, and in 2021, relocated here.

“We really love Michigan. I’m an outdoors person and enjoy all the lakes and seasons,” said Huck. The U.P. is a favorite spot.

When she discovered Cranbrook Institute of Science and the Cranbook campus, “It was love at first sight,” she recalled. She was soon sharing her scientific knowledge and experience as a volunteer museum educator. “It felt like home.”

Not long after, the Caldwell Fisher Climate Science Fellow opportunity presented itself and she didn’t hesitate. For this first-of-its-kind Michigan four-year fellowship, awarded in 2025, Huck is tasked with advancing climate science education through classroom learning, faculty collaboration and placed-based study across the Cranbrook campus, including Cranbrook Institute of Science.

“The role sounded like it was meant for me,” she said. “It combines my new passion for education and my old passion for science.

“Climate change is more than just science,” explained Huck. “There is a very emotional aspect you have to keep in mind.” Integrating assorted opportunities like art and even sci-fi climate literature, along with traditional science lessons, extend a positive exposure to climate education.

“My goal is to teach climate science without a doom and gloom vision,” she said.

“For each part of bad climate news, you must counter it with two good ones. Focus on what we can do and what is being done.”

During the first year, she is observing all areas of teaching within Cranbrook Schools to find potential areas to pilot a few climate lessons. Planning has already begun for the second year of the fellowship with a goal of broadening the engagement of students, faculty and the public.

Huck is developing preK-12 curriculum for Cranbrook Schools, as well as for public school visits and other public events through the museum.

“It’s a very unique approach and so much fun,” said Huck.

One project involves creating weather and air quality stations and placing them around the campus.

“When I talk to students, they are happy to be involved,” she says. “The next generation is ready to do something and not just talk about it.”

When Huck is not sowing general interest about the challenges and victories of climate science, she is looking forward to another adventure.

Locally, the family enjoys going for a stroll around Eastern Market and checking out any new developments along the waterfront. Belle Isle is also a favorite downtown selection. Even closer to home, Shock Gelato, the Argentinian-style ice cream shop on Maple in Birmingham is their current go-to place. More broadly, the family takes an annual trip to Europe, with this year’s destination being Iceland.

Wherever her travels take her, Dr. Petra Huck will surely share them and any climate lessons learned with her newly-adopted community.

Story: Gretchen Van-Monette

Photo: Laurie Tennent