Middle & High School Workshops

Designing Innovations for a Better World

Presenter:  Garrison School

Introduction: Become a problem-solver and changemaker in this hands-on design workshop! Students will explore real-world environmental challenges and learn how innovators turn ideas into impactful solutions. Through guided activities, participants will identify a problem they care about, brainstorm creative solutions, and begin designing their own innovation using the engineering design process. Along the way, they’ll think critically about how and why their idea works, who it helps, and how success could be measured. This workshop empowers students to see themselves as designers of change—ready to take action for a better, more sustainable future.

Growing Change: Sustainability in Action

Student Presenters: Haldane High School 

Introduction: Haldane’s Habitat Revival Club invites you to explore the power of student-led sustainability in this interactive workshop! Club members will share how they transformed their campus through a native pollinator garden project and a creative initiative bringing goats to campus to remove invasive species. Participants will then brainstorm their own sustainability ideas for their schools and create seed bombs to help spread native plants. 

AI and our Environment

Student Presenters: Haldane Middle School

Introduction: Artificial Intelligence is powerful—but it also comes with an environmental cost. In this interactive workshop, students will explore how AI systems use large amounts of energy, water, and data resources, and what that means for our planet. Participants will uncover the “hidden footprint” of everyday technologies, from search engines to image generators, and discuss how innovation and sustainability can work together. Students will engage in discussion, real-world examples, and brainstorm ways to use technology more responsibly while reducing its environmental impact. 

Trash to Treasure: Creating Endangered Animals from Recycled Materials

Student Presenter:  Putnam Valley High School

Introduction: Join student leaders for a hands-on, creative workshop where art meets environmental action! Participants will rotate through stations to design and build models of endangered animals using recycled materials. Along the way, students will learn about the threats these animals face—like habitat loss and pollution—and how reusing materials can help reduce waste. This engaging, student-led experience encourages creativity, raises awareness, and inspires action to protect wildlife and our planet.

Cold-Blooded Climate Champions: Reptiles & Our Changing World

Presenter:  Uncle Tony's Reptiles

Introduction: Get up close with amazing reptiles in this engaging, live-animal workshop with Uncle Tony’s Reptiles! Participants will meet a variety of reptiles and learn how these unique animals survive in their environments—and how climate change and habitat loss are impacting them. Through interactive demonstrations and discussion, students will explore adaptations, ecosystems, and ways humans can help protect wildlife. This unforgettable experience connects animal science with real-world conservation and inspires students to take action for our planet. 

Reusable Wood Art

Presenter: Dusti Callo

Introduction: Students will view a sample  of a small home decor accessory made of reclaimed wood pieces, along with a description of the process and a great example of recycling usable material. Students will then participate in creating a similar decor accessory with pre-cut reclaimed wood pieces that would have otherwise been discarded. Students will be encouraged to tap into their creativity to make a one of a kind, functional, and beautiful item that can be used to beautify any space.

Aquatic Creatures Alive!

Presenter: Elizabeth Clippard, Mohonk Preserve

Introduction: Meet aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and more! Investigate the aquatic life that lives in New York streams and ponds. We will identify, classify, and observe these amazing creatures! Explore how clean water plays a vital role in our environment and in our health. 

Freshwater Eels

Presenter: Emmet Boyd, NYDEC

Introduction: Join educators from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to explore the fascinating life cycle of the American eel and its role in freshwater ecosystems. Students will learn about eel migration, habitat challenges, and how human activity impacts these unique fish. Through interactive discussion and hands-on activities, participants will investigate how scientists study eels and what we can do to help protect them. This workshop connects local waterways to global environmental systems and inspires students to take action in protecting aquatic life.

Artful Mending: Small Fixes to Big Problems

Presenter: Kaitlyn Murray, La Vie Après L'amour 

Introduction: Did you know that mending a hole in a tee shirt you can save approximately 700 to 2,700 liters (185–713 gallons) of water? In this session we'll learn a few practical stitches and ways to help keep your favorite clothes from being thrown away due to a stain or hole. You can bring an item needing a little repair, or we'll have plenty of scrap to practice with! Learning to artfully mend our clothes not only saves water but also adds a personal creative touch.  Please bring an item to mend.

Small Scale Biogas Workshop: Turning Waste into Energy

Presenter:  Kathy Puffer, The Biogas Education Hub

Introduction: In this hands-on workshop, students will explore how food waste can be converted into biogas using microbes and simple scientific models. They will learn how biodigesters function and how they support clean energy production, waste reduction, and improved sanitation systems.

Students will:

• Build a mini biogas model using soda bottles and yeast

• Observe how microbes produce gas from different feedstocks such as sugar and flour

• Compare how feedstocks and temperature affect gas production

• Use brief discussions and Kahoot prompts to connect their observations to real-world energy and waste challenges

The session also includes a special visit from biogas Maven Kathy Puffer of Tillson, NY, who operates the first basement biodigester in the United States. Students will hear from Abigail Puffer, who will share her FFA poster project on improving biogas production during winter so her family could continue cooking with biogas year-round.

Your Future, Your Planet: Creating an Eco-Friendly World 

Presenter: Lexi Khan, Constitution Marsh Audubon

Introduction: What could our future look like? In this interactive workshop, students explore two possible futures for our planet and examine how each scenario could impact animals, plants, humans, and habitats. Working collaboratively, students will design an eco-friendly city and reflect on the actions they can take within their own communities. 

Wagging Tails, Saving Trails: Conservation Dogs in Action

Presenter: NYNJTC Conservation Dogs Program

Introduction: Did you know that a dog's nose might be one of the most powerful tools in conservation? Meet the NYNJTC Conservation Dogs Program and discover how specially trained detection dogs are helping scientists protect the biodiversity of plants and animals across our region. Learn what makes a conservation detection dog unique and how these remarkable co-woofers are trained to sniff out invasive species and rare native species. Then see it all in action—students will get a behind-the-scenes look at detection training techniques before watching a live demonstration of the dogs at work. Come ready to be amazed by what a nose can do for nature!

Conservation Journalism and Nature

Presenter: Pete Salmonson

Introduction: Author and journalist Pete Salmansohn will display and share many of his writings and books and then lead a discussion about the process and experiences of writing as well as the possibility of getting published.  Participants will then be challenged to do some writing of their own, based on several suggestions.  We will begin inside and  have the option to move outdoors.  There will also be the voluntary opportunity to read aloud some of your composings.

Storytelling for Good: How True Tales About Animals Can Inspire Change

Presenter:  Marie-Adele Moniot

Introduction: Learn how to inspire people to take action for animals during this hands-on storytelling workshop. First, you’ll see how animal advocates create moving stories to engage audiences and make the world a better place for people and pets alike. Then, you’ll learn what makes a story great. We’ll break down different story parts, including words and pictures, and identify how those details can deliver a bigger message for positive change. You’ll also have an opportunity to create your own storyboards and inspire those around you to make a difference for animals.

Turtle Crossing: Protecting Wetlands & Wildlife

Presenter:  Wetland Trust

Introduction: Join the Wetland Trust for an engaging, hands-on workshop focused on turtle conservation and wetland ecosystems. Students will explore the life and challenges of the Blanding’s turtle through a short, engaging presentation, followed by a hands-on experience with a live ambassador red-eared slider. Participants will examine turtle anatomy, adaptations, and ecological roles while making connections to how climate change—such as rising temperatures and habitat loss—impacts turtle survival, including temperature-dependent egg development. Students will leave with a deeper understanding of turtle ecology and simple actions they can take to help protect these important species. This is a double session.

Extreme Weather

Presenter:  PNWBOCES

Introduction: Mega storms are powerful storms with tremendous destructive capacity. These, and other extreme weather events, are becoming more frequent and can shape both our planet's landscape and influence our communities. Students will explore the human factors influencing the increasing severity and frequency of these events and our potential role in these phenomena. Through a hands-on design challenge, students will be encouraged to think creatively and strategically about how to build communities that are resilient and adaptable to these escalating environmental challenges. 

Forestry Science: Hike

Presenter:  PNWBOCES

Introduction: A forest is not just the trees, but all of the living and non-living things in the ecosystem! What are the biotic and abiotic parts of a forest? How do they all connect together? This program will address these questions and demonstrate the complexity of a forest with the help of artifacts and live animal ambassadors. This is a double session and requires a short bus ride to the forest.

Rooted & Rising: Nature Mindfulness Yoga

Presenter:  Sandra Slokenbergs

Introduction: Slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the natural world in this peaceful, outdoor yoga experience. In this guided session, students will move through gentle yoga poses, practice mindful breathing, and engage their senses to fully experience nature around them. Participants will explore how mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus, and strengthen their connection to the environment. This workshop offers simple tools students can use anytime to feel calm, grounded, and present—while building a deeper appreciation for the world they’re working to protect.

Trees: The Carbon Storage Experts

Presenter:  Dr. Ingrid Zaibel, Center for Climate Change Education at PRI

Introduction: When we look at trees, it may seem like they’re just standing there not doing much of anything, but they’re actually doing a lot! One of the things they do is take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. The world's surface temperature is increasing today because of excess CO₂ we are adding to the atmosphere, mainly through burning gas, oil, and coal. Because trees take in CO₂, conserving and restoring forests can help us stop heating the planet. But how effective are trees at doing this? How much CO₂ does a tree take in? In this workshop you’ll get to go outside and make simple measurements of trees that can help us answer these questions.

Pollinator Survival Game!

Presenter:  Stony Kill Foundation

Introduction: It's tough to be a honeybee!  Learn all about honeybees: their anatomy, the hive, the types of bees and their jobs, how they communicate by the waggle dance and their survival rate.  Then play the Pollinator Survival Game where you will be a honeybee who leaves your hive in hopes of getting pollen and returning to your hive to take care of your queen, feed the brood and count your pollen.  Caution: not all honeybees will return to their hive safely!  Students will learn steps we can take to help the honeybees survival rate.