When researching, evaluating, and designing environmental education programs we often focus on knowledge, attitude, and behavior changes. This session will challenge participants to look at current research processes (including their own) to identify the pros and cons of these measures of effectiveness, with particular emphasis on affective measures.

Increased pressure from state testing has created barriers to gaining district wide support and participation for in-class environmental education programming. This session explores the key factors we have uncovered in cultivating strong school-based partnerships that allow for measured effectiveness for in-school environmental education programs.

Columbia Gas recognizes the need to invite nature back—not only into schools with nature programs and outdoor classrooms, but also on managed landscapes. Their novel program promotes pollinator habitat in school gardens and across their network of gas pipelines, connecting people and nature in a variety of ways.

Experts predict a gap in STEM workers prepared to deal with complex environmental issues. It’s critical that informal learning centers increase capacity to work with schools. Riverbend’s Philadelphia Children Access Nature program is a catalyst for change, using a comprehensive supports and aquaponics in the classroom.

Experts predict a gap in STEM workers prepared to deal with complex environmental issues. It’s critical that informal learning centers increase capacity to work with schools. Riverbend’s Philadelphia Children Access Nature program is a catalyst for change, using a comprehensive supports and aquaponics in the classroom.

Practicing pre-K–8 teachers visited Springs Eternal: Water, Hope, Change, an art exhibit as part of a comprehensive professional development project focused on integrating EE across the curriculum. We will share the ways in which the teachers reacted and planned to shift their teaching as a result of this visit.

Connecting place, people and story, through the design of inclusive outdoor spaces for schools, communities, and parks. Designing with the 8 senses and the Autism Design Guidelines to allow for collaboration and connections with nature in an educationally intentional way. Discuss types of outdoor space that afford learning for all age groups, nimble spaces with inter-related programming. All of course from the perspective of a landscape architect.

For 20 years, School of the Wild has provided weeklong wildlife experiences for students in the Iowa City Community School District. Join our panel to hear how we went from an exploratory pilot to a districtwide program serving all students. Let our team’s experience help you grow your programs.

Explore simple ways for your school to work together to decrease landfill waste, energy waste, and water waste. From young learners to middle schoolers, your school can work together through guided inquiry activities and integrated curriculum extensions to create a more sustainable school using many tools you already have.     

Whether we throw it, recycle it, or flush it AWAY, how do we inspire people to think about solid waste? In this hands-on workshop, we will connect participants to proven techniques in teaching about solid waste issues and the importance of saving our natural resources.