Schedule

Watering Hole

Convened by: BEETLES/BaySci Team

A place for a drop-in chatting, tech support, and random connection.

Project-Based Learning with Science and Environmental Literacy

Convened by: Rudy Escobar, Stanislaus County Office of Education

The best way to engage students is in real world issues that they are living through. Project-Based Learning is a way to cover all subjects in a meaningful and authentic way.

Affinity Space for Women of Color

Convened by: Monique Navarro, Channel Islands National Park

Sharing Experiences, Stories, and Best Practices for Self Care and Preservation - Women of Color who work within organizations that are run and dominated by White Males, be they government or non-government organizations.

Creating Space for Regional Partner-Building

Convened by: David Berman, Sonoma Water

We will create break out rooms for exploring regional partner-building. Depending on the participants signing up we will discuss ways to partner/network with each other. During these times of isolation we will explore how to help support each others work through engaging partnerships.

Nature Program Ideas for Children & Adults with Disabilities

Convened by: Taylor Eagan, The Nature Connection

Sharing ideas on how to create and facilitate nature-based programs with physical/social distancing considerations for people (children and adults) with disabilities (cognitive, developmental, and physical). Discussion of population specific considerations, creating accessible activities, supporting individuals throughout the activities/programs, and all through the lens of add COVID-19 physical distancing requirements.

Discussion About High-Quality Aspects of Online Learning

Convened by: Molly Stoddard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Let's discuss best practices for on-line learning that integrates use of the outdoors as a learning space. This session will be of value for participants who anticipate conducting on-line learning in the coming school year as an alternative to face-to-face use of outdoor classroom space. Whether you have already tried facilitating on-line learning, are further moving in that direction, or are trying it for the first time, we can share ways that help keep students engaged and motivated to learn right outside their door or window.

Strategies for Redeploying Environmental Educators to Work in Schools

Convened by: Heather Molloy, Santa Cruz County Office of Education

What can an outdoor education instructor's role be in schoolyard learning during COVID 19?

Working With Students With Disabilities in Alternative Settings

Convened by: Rosemary Henderson, Vista California

Students with disabilities, particularly autism, add a perspective in alternative teaching that requires a unique approach. Discuss the fluidity needed to help grow our students as self confidence and self esteem become more necessary than ever before.

A Movement to Fund Outdoor Education in California Public Schools

Convened by: Simon Breen, Escondido Creek Conservancy

CalSOL (California Statewide Outdoor Learning) is a movement advocating for state funding for outdoor education in all CA K-12 public schools. Imagine if children at every grade level had the opportunity to learn in nature's classroom and experience the outdoors! Learn how you can get involved and help support this effort.

How to Pivot From Working With Schools to Working With Parents and Still Foster Outdoor Educational Equity

Convened by: Jacob Sackin, Exploring New Horizons Outdoor Schools

When schools move to a hybrid model, they will not be able to serve more than 1/2 of students at a time. Educating students outside of school alleviates the spacing and some of the sanitation issues, but schools do not have the money to build giant tents or the time to partner with nonprofits to keep classes together in pods outside of the school. How can outdoor education programs then partner directly with parents to get kids outside without furthering educational inequity?

Incorporating Environmental, Economic & Racial Justice with NGSS Standards in a Digital Environment

Convened by: Lysistrata "Lysa" Munson, Elk Grove Unified School District

Share and explore connections with NGSS standards and social justice topics. How are environmental, economic and racial justice interconnected? How to design lessons for students to discover and comprehend these connections? How to engage students digitally for this lesson series?

Re-Imagining Informal Science Education Programs in a Post-Pandemic Environment

Convened by: Kristin Evans, UT Marine Science Institute

How should (can) Informal Science Education Institutions (ISEIs) rethink and reshape programs to better meet the emerging needs of student and teacher audiences in virtual, face-to-face and blended environments. Discussions will focus on ideas, challenges and opportunities to re-imagine what learning engagements can look like in our ISEIs and classrooms.

Social Emotional Intake

Convened by: Brett Nelson, Sacramento County Office of Education

With students being out of school for over 6 months, how do we as a staff engage them? Also what factors from home might be affecting their social emotional status?

EnRoads Climate Solutions Simulator

Convened by: Pauline Seales, California

This excellent simulation platform from MIT is both educational and very suitable for online learning.

What We Say Matters for Equitable Recruiting

Convened by:

Kori Donley, Westminster Woods

Itzel Gomez, Earth Team

Sara Ludovise, Crystal Cove

At a time when social inequity and COVID are intersecting to disproportionately impact communities of color, what actions can we take to amend our hiring practices so organizations will be more prepared to recruit and retain diverse staff? The seeds of this workshop were planted through an incredibly informative webinar with Rena Payan at Youth Outside on Equitable Recruiting Practices. We intend to put our learning into practice by workshopping our job announcements in a supportive group committed to "calling people in".

Virtual Field Trips

Convened by: Brenda Perna, LA Promise Charter Middle School

Virtual field trips are now a buzz phrase; I designed one as part of a unit I created on ecology, which heavily embedded technology. Participants for this session will walk through that virtual field trip and be encouraged to share any that they have done, as well. Literacy strategies, SPED, and English Learners will be part of the conversation in addition to rigorous, inquiry-based instruction that is NGSS-aligned.

SEL and Parent Engagement

Convened by: Jose Hugo Moreno, CABE Director of Parent Relations

Discuss the importance of having parents as partners with social emotional learning in the classroom and at home. Incorporating parents into the social emotional learning process ensures that our students are having their SEL and mental health addressed in a collective manner.

Watering Hole

Convened by: BEETLES/BaySci Team

A place for a drop-in chatting, tech support, and random connection.

Restorative Practices

Convened by: Kris Pamintuan, Cuyamaca Outdoor School, SDCOE

Kids need interpersonal interactions for their social and emotional well-being and growth. However, due to all the time spent at home away from other people, there are bound to be conflicts when they return to school (and when they attend outdoor school). Let's discuss the importance of and strategies to employ restorative best practices.

Exploring Place-Based Learning Through Community Partnerships

Convened by: David Barnum, British Columbia

How can organizations approach schools to develop formal/informal partnerships to increase learning opportunities in the community? Place-based pedagogy includes natural and urban environments.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Employees Sharing Session

Convened by: Molly Stoddard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Employees and partners of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are invited to come together to share their concerns, questions, ideas, and camaraderie centered around our work in science/environmental education, COVID-19, and equity. What issues are you facing, need help with, and want to ask for input? Bring them to this session and lean on your colleagues' collective experience and expertise to help you move forward in an effective, meaningful way.

Cultivating Real Sustainability Action Work With “Underserved” Youth Through Distance Learning

Convened by: Ana Thomas, California

How can we unite multiple institutions to facilitate student-centered sustainability work using arts integration, hands on learning, learning style investigations, portfolio cultivation, and garden lab spaces? How can we use the online portal to connect more young people with environmental justice role models and community leaders who are Black and Brown?

Great Lakes Region Breakout

Convened by:

Sarah Waters & Ellie Simon, NOAA, Great Lakes B-WET program

Brandon Schroeder & Meaghan Gass, Sea Grant Extension Educators, Michigan State University Extension

Great Lakes region partner-building & share out: what's working & what's not with your flipped and blended learning. Share your thoughts on your professional development and student learning in the Great Lakes region. How can we support each other in the Great Lakes moving forward?

Nature Journaling for Effective Learning, Online and Outdoors

Convened by: Melinda Nakagawa, Riekes Nature School and Independent Educator

Nature journaling is an engaging tool to bring science, natural history, math, and visual and language arts together for learning. We've successfully integrated a blend of online live classes, virtual field trips, and offline nature journal time to reach a wide audience the past 4 months. Nature time is an antidote to the effects of increased screen time, bringing sense of calm, well-being, creativity and opening the mind for learning.

Join the Discussion:

Open Space: Is There Enough? And What About Rain Days…

Convened by: Ann Black, Pajaro Valley Unified School District

This session discusses the plausibility of 100% outdoor classrooms, brainstorming solutions to potential problems, including instating school closures on heavy rain days. We know that the virus doesn't spread well outdoors, making this format a very safe vehicle for school reopening. Discussion is needed to help foresee any challenges schools may face implementing outdoor classes, including physical space limitations of school campuses.

Queer/LGBTQ+ Caucus

Convened by: Charissa Jones, Oregon State University Extension Service -- Outdoor School

This affinity group is offered as an intentional space for folks who identify as part of the LGBTQAI+ community to learn, grow, heal, and celebrate their lived experiences in the environmental and outdoor education fields. The goal is to build community, talk through struggles, successes, and ask as well as offer support.

Bringing Our Teaching and Learning Outside

Convened by:

Ben Lavender, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District

Mandi Smith, Mt. Diablo Unified

Jan Robertson, Educational Consultant

Central San (a local wastewater utility) and Mt. Diablo Unified have forged a strong partnership over the years to support science, engineering, and environmental learning for students. Our plan for this coming year, inspired by our experiences working with community reading clubs in rural South Africa, is to bring our programs outdoors. We will share our ideas for the coming school year and we welcome the groups’ active participation in making these ideas a reality for everyone.

Outdoor Experiential Ed. Aboard Tall Ships

Convened by: Alice Cochran, Call of the Sea based in Sausalito, California

Did you know that there is a nationwide fleet of tall ships (schooners, brigantines, etc.) that offer STEM and other subjects for young people to learn interactively while aboard these large sailing ships? Other benefits include developing skills of leadership, teamwork and responsibility. If you are involved in tall ships sailing, a parent, teacher or school administrator who wants to connect, please join us to learn which Tall Ships America (TSA) member ships and programs are available in your area.

Experiences in Operating Programs During COVID-19

Convened by: Marie Bacher, Santa Clara County Office of Education

Walden West Outdoor Science School & Summer Camp is operating a 5-week day camp for youth ages 7-17. Let's have an open discussion about experiences in operating youth programs: analysis plan and design with health orders in mind, candid conversations with staff, survey results from stakeholder before camp, and after families experienced camp, the observations/reflections from staff and administration. Looking forward, what will our programs look like as we move into the school year?

Students, Media Literacy Skills and Science

Convened by: Adam Frederick, Maryland Sea Grant

Students are able to use digital devices in ways that can help them combine critical thinking skills, media skills and scientific content. These are excellent opportunities for students to express ideas, engage in outdoor experiences, and learn useful skills related to media literacy.

Equity in Grading for Low Income Students Working Jobs

Convened by: Catherine Simpson, West Contra Costa Unified School District

I work with students whose parents could not work and they now are responsible for the income to support their family—girls have been hit hardest because child care is in short supply. How to support gender and race and grade in an equitable way?

Four Family Engagement Paradigm Shifts Critical to Transformative and Equitable Science Education

Convened by: Celia de la Loza, El Rancho Unified School District

We will discuss a model incorporating four paradigm shifts about family engagement that is conducive to a more equitable and culturally inclusive learning environment. This model was created by Learning in Places Collaborative and offers a solution to our current communal need to improve place-based learning.

How Can We Help? Lawrence Hall of Science Programs for Virtual and In-Person Learning

Convened by: Reyna Hamilton and Emily Weiss, Lawrence Hall of Science

Connect your K-12 learners to the Lawrence Hall of Science’s live, hands-on, interactive science programs. Explore our program offerings, ask questions, and share your ideas.

Watering Hole

Convened by: BEETLES/BaySci Team

A place for a drop-in chatting, tech support, and random connection.

Mid-Atlantic Region Partner Networking

Convened by: Joanna Snyder, Lawrence Hall of Science

This space will offer an opportunity for formal and informal educators in the Mid-Atlantic region to connect and collaborate. Various outdoor instructional models will be considered as opportunities for collaboration.

Moving Our Classrooms Out Into Our Schoolyards

Convened by: Sara Salisbury, Middle Tennessee State University

Considering many schools are proposing in-person classes this fall, there is a need to explore alternative classroom spaces that allow for safe teaching and learning that is socially-distanced. Let's discuss the who, what, where, when, why, and most importantly HOW of moving classrooms into our schoolyards.

Re-Positioning Residential Environmental Learning Centers (RELCs) As Essential Education in a Post-Pandemic World

Convened by: John DiDiego, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

In light of recent research and the publication of Grow-Outside.org, RELCs are poised to assert their value in much needed social and emotional learning for students and teachers... but why stop there!? We think our centers could be models for sustainability, equity, accessibility, and systems-thinking for schools and communities alike. And don't we all need that right now?

Exploring Potential Employment Opportunities for Non-Formal Educators in Collaboration With School Districts

Convened by: Amy Hoffman and Charissa Jones, Oregon State University Extension Service - Outdoor School

Tara Laidlaw, Southern Oregon Land Conservancy

Our youth and families are struggling in our new normal COVID-19 world, and so are outdoor/environmental educators. Many non-formal educational organizations have laid off staff and do not know when they might be able to bring them back. How can we build stronger communities and share our expertise to better support the school system this year, while potentially keeping outdoor/environmental educators employed? Can we share the responsibility of teaching and supporting our youth as they return to school?

The Intersections of Environmental Literacy, Justice and the Arts and Creativity

Convened by: Trena Noval, Bay Area IDEAL

What is the role of the arts and creative solutions in students becoming change makers for environmental justice in their communities and our world? This conversation is about how these three ideas (disciplines) together can create a more holistic approach to supporting students in understanding more deeply the places they live, how to care for these places and how their knowledge of the environment paired with the arts and creativity as a problem solving strategy can support our students in creating the kinds of solutions we need to support our natural and human world into the future.

Accessibility & Equity in Nature Based Education

Convened by: Heather King, Director non-profit wilderness program Ventura Wild and credentialed teacher

Discuss the ways we as an industry can make our programs more culturally and economically accessible, make wild places more available, and train up more diverse leaders in our field. Heather brings 30 years in the field with various organizations to the discussion.

Formative Evaluation: Learn As You Go and Grow

Convened by: Chris Parsons, Word Craft (Consulting Firm)

Whether you're working with partners, parents/caregivers, or students, formative evaluation methods and techniques can help with decision-making in an uncertain environment. In this session, share thoughts, techniques, and questions about using formative evaluation to learn as you go and grow.

Imposter Syndrome

Convened by: Dr. Hugo Moreno Ph.D., Mountain View

The impostor syndrome is the way many minority students feel as they enter higher education and professional careers. They often feel that they are filling a quota or do not deserve to occupy someone else's space. They question their accomplishments and often feel as an impostor not deserving to be in the positions they are professionally.

Ideas for Addressing Equity Issues Related to Online Learning and Digital Divide

Convened by: Dieuwertje Kast, Los Angeles Unified School District

Discussion of minds addressing ideas for addressing equity issues related to online learning and digital divide and how to overcome them.

Innovative Outdoor STEM Experiences

Convened by: Mary Hess, Seminole County Public Schools, Florida

Discuss innovative and creative ways to effectively teach STEM with today’s challenges. How can we engage students to form a deeper, more meaningful understanding of environmental topics? By integrating the Science and Engineering Practices, a brainstorming session of real-world experiences will be highlighted that emphasize scientific investigation.

Meaningful Professional Development Right Now?

Convened by: Kara Haas, Kellogg Biological Station - Michigan State University

Are we too stressed out to learn right now? If we are in a space to learn, what content and formats are most effective? Informal/formal partnerships can be great places to share ideas and skills. What should professional development experiences look like this year? How can we help each other learn new ways to teach and support each other through implementation?

Restoration-Based Education

Convened by: Jennifer Brenneman, Western Michigan University

Exploring abundant futures for learners and nature. What types of RBE initiatives are currently happening and how are they going for learners and educators? Are natural and human community building goals being met? What strategies are working for practitioners. What does RBE mean for you?

Adaptations in Plants and Animals--CANCELLED

Convened by: Astrid Hernandez, Los Angeles Unified School District

I plan to use the articles in the curriculum to drive the discussion about adaptations in Coyotes and how they have adapted to living in cities. The types of challenges this poses for humans and the significance for both organisms. What examples of adaptations is seen by the coyote in the article and how this translates to the lives of other organisms sharing the same ecosystem as the coyote and existing along with humans.

Dual Language/English Language Learners in Distance Science Education

Convened by: Diana Velez & Harold Asturias, Lawrence Hall of Science

Engage with other dual language/English Language Learners (ELLs) Teachers to develop strategies, share ideas, and discuss how to implement high quality distance science education.

Getting Kids Outside Through Self-Paced Online Courses

Convened by: Katy Scott, Monterey Bay Aquarium

More than 25,000 students are enrolled in the Aquarium's free, online self-paced courses, which we developed after shelter-in-place orders. These courses focus on getting students outside, creating relationships with instructors, and going deep via multi-day interaction. We'll share our thinking and our process, and discuss the gaps we're struggling to overcome (digital divide, evaluation, equity), as well as brainstorm how organizations might work together to support future endeavors like this one.

Self-Care for Educators During Distance Learning

Convened by: Ilyse Opas, Social-Emotional Learning Consultant

Before we can support our students and communities, we need the space to support ourselves. We'll discuss how to create that space for self-reflection and care, and the necessity of establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries during Distance Learning. Open to anyone who struggles to create self-care as well as to those who strive to protect their current practices; there will be optional affinity groups during breakout sessions.

Interest-Based Learning: Managing Passion Projects From a Distance

Convened by: Kurt Holland, CSTA/CASE

Learning facilitators from Project Based Learning schools across the U.S. remained connected with 90% or more of their learners during the initial Covid shutdown. Join us to examine the SEL foundation and interest-based learning routines that will keep your kids coming back to class!

Strategies for Working Toward an Equitable Organization

Convened by: Celeste Royer and Alison Collins, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education

Sharing and discussing some of the strategies used in the BEETLES Project - Working Toward an Equitable Organization. Discussion on how to identify, develop, and implement needed changes in your organization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

Watering Hole

Convened by: BEETLES/BaySci Team

A place for a drop-in chatting, tech support, and random connection.

Exploring Online and Distance Learning for Environmental Education

Convened by: Archana Kannan and Anna Lee, Stanford University

What does the research say about best practices in online and distance learning? How can we integrate online learning with outdoor and environmental education? What are some active-learning strategies for online learning? What has worked for you and what hasn’t? How can distance education support and enhance EE programs, not just during the pandemic, but also in a post-pandemic world?

Integrating Arts and Humanities to Support Science Learning

Convened by: Jennie Goldstone, San Diego Unified/School in the Park

Approaching science through the arts and humanities can offer entry points for students who think science isn't for them. How can collaborative formal-informal partnerships across science, the arts, and humanities enrich science learning and engage more students, while supporting a wider range of institutions during the Covid crisis?

Creating Partnerships and Collaborations That Make Us All More Successful

Convened by: David Berman, Sonoma Water

As we explore how to create partnerships and collaborations, we will share success stories, teachable moments, and best practices in cultivating our work together. Walk away with ideas and inspiration on how to network with others.

The New Posture for Freelance Environmental Educators

Convened by: Tania Marien, Talaterra

Time, money, and to be taken seriously are some of the things independent environmental educators say they need to create change. This was before the pandemic. How do things look now? Let's talk.

Lessons From Outdoor Preschools and Supporting P-3 Outdoor Education

Convened by: Aliza Yair, Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families

WA State has successfully standardized outdoor preschool health and safety, and builds on a rich and developmentally appropriate teaching practice of child-led explorations. I can share what we have in WA to support Pre-k educators, as well as support early elementary teachers consider teaching strategies and daily schedules that are suitable for the outdoors in any weather.

When Developing a Sense of Place With Students, How Can You include the Ocean and Marine Ecosystems?

Convened by: Mary Whaley, Monterey Bay Aquarium and SWMEA

Let's discuss how we can include and keep the ocean and ocean literacy principles in our curriculum. We will use environmental identity and developing a sense of place as a lens to consider the possibilities.

Virtual Water Monitoring in Local Creeks During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Convened by: Devin Jackson, Outside The Box 925 (OTB925)

We will demonstrate how you can facilitate a water sampling activity with a small group of students from a 3rd-8th grade class live (synchronously) while engaging their teacher’s classroom virtually during the activity. Both groups will have roles to play in the activity and collaborate on their findings at the end of the 45 min session. If you prefer to be in the outdoor group in the East Bay, be sure to sign up on a first come, first serve basis.

Social and Emotional Learning via Distance Learning

Convened by: Allison Collins and Lissa Gilmore, San Joaquin County Office of Education

Distance Learning can't take place if we don't take care of our students' social and emotional needs. Starting off with an overview of SEL and a group discussion of why it's important, we will try out a couple of SEL activities via distance learning and share our ideas and inspiration with each other. This session is appropriate for formal and informal educators.

AR/VR Education Tools?

Convened by: Daniel Cook, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Discuss our interest and opinions on using Virtual Reality or Augmented Reality educational tools, and the challenges/perceived challenges with implementing them.

Scale and Strategies of Collaboration Success

Convened by: Shaun Hawke, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Would broad coalition efforts or targeted individual partnerships be more successful in creating partnerships between formal and informal educational organizations? How can we harness the best aspects of either approach to manifest the best results for students, organizations and EE?

Instructional Models for Formal and Informal Education Partnerships

Convened by:

Joanna Snyder, Lawrence Hall of Science

Sarah Barnes, Sierra Nevada Journeys

Attendees will consider a draft guidance document of different instructional models of how districts and informal educators may work together to facilitate safe outdoor learning during the coming school year. Hosts will collect feedback as we discuss ways to meet the diverse needs of all kinds of educators and students.

Strategies for Redeploying Environmental Educators to Work in Schools

Convened by: Sean Hill, Sierra Nevada Journeys

What can an outdoor education instructor's role be in schoolyard learning during COVID 19?

Critical Place-Based Education: Building Collaborations With Schools, Local Organizations, and Families to Support Rich, Rooted Learning

Convened by: Katie Gavenus, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies

What role can environmental education/informal science educators play in supporting place-based learning opportunities in this new context? How can we take this challenging moment and use it to transform and nurture socially just, place-based learning that helps all learners grow? How do we build meaningful partnerships and collaborations -- sometimes as a digital bridge, sometimes in person -- to make this happen?

Place-Based Learning: Do SEL and Hands On Science, Wherever Learners Find Themselves

Redesigning Schooling (Not Just for Pandemics!)

Convened by: Tim Baird, Encinitas Union School District (Retired)

The pandemic has changed how we view schooling. Unfortunately, we have limited our new models to either online or regular in-person classrooms. How can we take this challenge / opportunity and rethink the roles of teachers, students, and schools to design new models for K-12 schools?