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Central CREEC California Environmental Literacy Project Conference 2023
Central CREEC California Environmental Literacy Project Conference 2023
Thank you to all who joined us for the second virtual 2023 Central CREEC California Environmental Literacy Project (CELP) conference. We joined fellow educators and community partners in an event aimed to improved environmental literacy across the central CREEC Region and beyond. The conference provided a space of educators to learn, network and collaborate around relevant environmental topics, lessons and activities. Workshop sessions were available for educators K-12 and presented by CELP Teacher Leaders and COE Leads.
If you were unable to attend, check out the recordings below.
QUESTIONS: Contact Tamara Basepayne at tbasepayne@sjcoe.net
Funding for this conference is provided by:
An Environmental Education Grant from the California Department of Education through the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network Program. To Learn more about the CREEC Network Program, visit www.creec.org
Conference Agenda at a Glance
Agenda
Agenda
9:00 - 9:30 Welcome and Conference Overview
9:30 - 10:25 Session 1
10:25 - 10:35 Break
10:35 - 11:30 Session 2
11:30 - 11:40 Break
11:40 12:35 Session 3
Welcome Session: 9:00-9:25 am
Central CREEC California Environmental Literacy Conference (CELP) 2023
Central CREEC California Environmental Literacy Conference (CELP) 2023
Slide Deck | Nature Literacy Activity | Ouisi Photo Cards
In this session we kicked off our environmental literacy conference, discussed our outcomes for the day, provided context for the conference and celebrated the work of Central CREEC Teacher Leaders and COE Mentors.
Session Feedback Form | Please complete this form for each session you attended or watched the recording.
Conference Feedback Form | Complete this form to provide feedback on the overall conference.
Session 1: 9:30-10:25
Connecting Watersheds to Ocean through NOAA’s Ocean Guardian School Program
Grade span | K-12
Workshop Description | In this workshop participants will be provided with an introduction to the process to becoming a recognized Ocean Guardian School, no matter how far away from the ocean you live. Participants will be provided with an overview of stewardship project pathways and the benefits for students and the community. We will show examples of how the process has worked over the past 5 years at our school in Watsonville where we focused on "Rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, rot, recycle" pathway.
Presenters | Tara McCullough and Erin Levi
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Plants in Your Campus Biome
Grade Span | TK-12
Workshop Description | This workshop centers around Place-Based education which uses the local community and environment as the foundation of the activity. Through this lens we'll explore how identifying plants on your campus aligns with California's NGSS standards.
Presenters | Erik Lucas, Shannon Clark, Stephanie Davis and Sinead Klement
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Recording link | Coming Soon
Magic Happens When Students Learn Outdoors
Grade Span | 4th - 8th
Workshop Description | The presenters will share their lesson plans and experiences from taking their students outdoors to learn about environmental literacy. The presenters will share thier learnings and tips for taking the walls off our classrooms and using outdoor spaces to learn.
Presenters | Adrienne Nau, Diana DeWall, Chris Moreno, Laura Lutz
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Recording Link | Passcode | &ftqe$4!
PORTS and Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Grade Span | K - 12th
Workshop Description | PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) with Calaveras Big Trees State Park offer a variety of ways to visit the giant sequoias virtually or in person.
Presenters | Sally Finch and Corie Ross
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Cabrillo High School Aquarium: Cross-Curricular Project-Based Learning
Grade Span | K-12
Workshop Description | Since 1986, the Cabrillo High School Aquarium in Lompoc, CA has been a unique example of hands-on project-based learning. The session will explore the background of this special program and use it to outline ways in which teachers at all levels can help their students develop empathy for environmental learning through cross-curricular educational opportunities.
Presenter | Chris Ladwig
Session Materials | Coming Soon
Environmental Literacy: From Classroom to Schoolwide Projects
Grade Span | K-12th
Workshop Description | Want to boost environmental literacy at your school site, but not sure where to begin? This workshop will present two case studies providing tips, ideas and more for those who want to grow environmental literacy beyond their own classrooms. Case study #1 will discuss a top-down approach with full administration support. Case study #2 will explore a grassroots, student centered approach. Both case studies will provide information about overcoming challenges, lessons learned, and what to expect.
Presenters | Adria Bray and Tom Arnold
Session Materials | Slide Deck & Resource Page
Recording Link | Coming Soon
Session 2 | 10:35 - 11:30 am
The History of the Land We Live On
Grade Span | 4th - 8th
Workshop Description | This is a two part workshop.
We as educators are poised to help diminish the erasure of Native Californians. By tying the natural history and the human history of your local environment together, we can support student learning in History & Social Science, NGSS, and the EP&C’s.
Session 1
Build a deeper understanding of the history of California Natives and the erasure they face, in order to bring messaging to your classroom.
Presenters | Amy Roe and Jose Marquez (tech support)
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Recording Link | Coming Soon
Tips For Teaching Kids Outdoors
Grade Span | K-12
Workshop Description | Research shows that environment-centered education improves student achievement. Come learn about how to create outdoor
learning spaces that can be used from year
to year—with little extra effort or resources.
Presenters | Michelle Roy, Joanna Trigo, Bonnie Crum, Jamie Viveros, Justin Janssen and Holli Gonzalez
Session Materials | Resources
Social Emotional Learning through Nature Journaling and the Virtues
Grade Span | 9-12
Workshop Description | Looking across many different cultures, languages, faiths, and world views, are several common virtues. These virtues name aspects of our being that allow us to pursue a path of change and action. Our world will need individuals with COURAGE and RESILIENCE as we bring forth environmental sustainability, social justice, and an understanding of our role in the community of life on our planet. Nature journaling is a tool to help us see the connections in nature and our connection to nature. This change in mindset towards our planet requires a change in how we see ourselves and each other. In this workshop, you will hear an introduction to the virtues and how you can incorporate social emotional learning lessons with nature journaling.
Presenters | Jenn Boyd
Session Materials | Slide Deck & Resources
May the Forest Be With You
Grade Span | 6-12th
Workshop Description | Green jobs represent one of the fastest growing and changing segments of the global economy. At the same time, today’s youth are seeking rewarding careers that help us move toward more sustainable lifestyles and greener economies. Help inspire the next generation of environmental and conservation leaders through learning more about Project Learning Tree’s supplementary curriculum titled “Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers”.
Learn from veteran teacher and four-time coach of the High School Forestry Challenge, Rachel Castongia, about how to successfully build a Forestry Challenge team at your school. Through the Forestry Challenge, students gain scientific knowledge and learn practical skills involved in environmental stewardship. Students participate as a team and learn important lessons of cooperation, teamwork, and public speaking. Having a forest nearby is not required.
Presenters | Rachel Castongia and Tricia Dunlap
Session Materials | Slide Deck & Resource Page
Session 3 | 11:40 - 12:35
The History of the Land We Live On
Grade Span | 4th - 8th
Workshop Description | This is a two part workshop.
We as educators are poised to help diminish the erasure of Native Californians. By tying the natural history and the human history of your local environment together, we can support student learning in History & Social Science, NGSS, and the EP&C’s.
Session 2
Leave this session with ideas of places within your curriculum where you can amplify the history and voices of Native Californians.
Presenters | Amy Roe and Jose Marquez (tech support)
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Recording Link
Environmental Club 101
Grade Span | K-12
Workshop Description | We'd like to share our experiences with having an afterschool Environmental Club and help make it easier for others to start their own club.
Presenters | Andrea Ames, Sandi Starr and Megan Smith
Session Materials |
Implementing Environmental Literacy K-12
Grade Span | K-12
Workshop Description | Implementing Environmental literacy K-12 follows the actions of 3 teachers collaborating across grade bands, districts and counties to increase the environmental literacy at each of their sites. School Gardens, Trout in the Classroom, and grant writing will be discussed as vehicles of implementation.
Presenters | Kurt Hollan, Justin Ward, Donnia Callahan and Chris Ladwig
Session Materials |
NGSS & Human Impact in the Elementary Classroom
Grade Span | K-5
Workshop Description | When you teach NGSS in the elementary classroom, you are already addressing age-appropriate human impact topics! We will dig into NGSS ESS3 (Earth and Human Activity) to discover the connections with the EP&Cs and then share lessons that have been designed to address these specific human impact NGSS standards.
Presenters | Lesly Gates and Renee Miller
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Central CELP Teacher Leaders
Adria Bray
6th Grade Teacher
Walnut Grove Elementary
Amy Roe
Certified Naturalist
Foothill Horizons Outdoor School
Stanislaus COE
Andrea Ames
K- 3 Grade Teacher
Reading Specialist
Lodi Unified School District
Bonnie Crum
4th Grade Teacher
Technology Mentor
Student Council Co-Leader
Tehachapi, CA
Chris Ladwig
Aquarium Advisor
Biology Teacher
Cabrillo High School
Lompoc, CA
Santa Barbara County
Chris Moreno
7th Grade Science Teacher
Science Chair
Bryant Middle School
Dos Palos Oro Loma Joint Unified School District
Merced COE
Corie Ross
Calaveras County
Davin Aalto
Biology Teacher
Sanger High School
Diana DeWall
6th Grade Teacher
Joe Stefani Elementary School
Merced City School District
Merced COE
Donnia Callahan
Templeton Home School
Templeton Unified School District
Erik Lucas
Erin Levi
2nd Grade Bilingual Teacher
Starlight Elementary PVUSD
Jennifer Boyd
AP Environmental Science
Honors Environmental Field Studies
Science Department Chair
Westlake High School
Joanna Trigo
K-8 Science Coach
Delano Union School District
Justin Ward
Kayle Hamilton
Laura Lutz
Outdoor Educator
Burris Park
Kings County Office of Education
Nikki Luckin
7/8 Science Teacher
Fairmont Elementary School
Rachel Castongia
Tuolumne County
Renee Miller
District Academic Coach for Elementary Science
Madera Unified School District
Sally Finch
High School Math Teacher & Docent for Big Trees State Park
Calaveras
Sandi Starr
Science Instructional Coach
Lodi Unified School District
Shannon Clark
Agriculture and Biology Teacher
Amador
Stephanie Davis
5th/6th Grade Teacher and Docent at the Kit Carson Pass in El Dorado National Forest
Pioneer Elementary
Tara McCullough
4/5th Grade Science Teacher
Starlight Elementary PVUSD
Tom Arnold
6th Grade Teacher
Lakewood Elementary
Central CELP Lead Mentors
Jivan Dhaliwal
San Benito COE
Region 5
Jenn Mutch
Santa Clara COE
Region 5
Marie Bacher
Santa Clara COE
Region 5
Amity Sandage
Santa Cruz COE
Region 5
Heather Molloy
Santa Cruz COE
Region 5
Sinead Klement
Amador COE
Region 6
Tamara Basepayne
San Joaquin COE
Region 6
Megan Smith
San Joaquin COE
Region 6
Jose Marquez
Stanislaus COE
Region 6
Tricia Dunlap
Tuolumne COE
Region 6
Jennifer Weibert
Fresno COE
Region 7
Lesley Gates
Fresno COE
Region 7
Laura Lutz
Kings COE
Region 7
Adrienne Nau
Science & STEAM Coordinator
Merced COE
Region 7
Michelle Roy
Kern COE
Region 8
Jamie Viveros
Kern COE
Region 8
Holli Gonzalez
Kern COE
Region 8
Justin Janssen
Kern COE
Region 8
Kurt Holland
San Luis Obispo
Region 8
Nathan Inouye
Ventura
Region 8
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