Session Information and Materials

During this hands-on learning arc, you will step into the role of a learner, and work through a real place-based challenge that you currently face in your classroom or school. Each day you will get to spend time clarifying the challenge, asking deeper questions, considering context and community, and collaborating with other place-based educators to share ideas and solutions. At the end of the week, you will walk away with a thoughtfully designed proposal for a solution to your relevant place-based project that is grounded in your context and is ready to share, refine, or implement immediately. 

This experience is intentionally designed to build from session to session, allowing your thinking to deepen and your solution to strengthen over time. Each session, experience, conversation, and collaborative moment throughout the week will contribute to the clarity and quality of your final proposal. To fully benefit from this process, we encourage participants to plan for full engagement across the entire conference so you can experience the complete arc of learning and leave with work you feel confident moving forward. 

FAQ: 

What exactly is the Place-Based Challenge–Solution Experience?

The Place-Based Challenge–Solution Experience is the core learning arc of the conference. Participants will work through a real challenge from their classroom or school using a place-based, project-based approach. Rather than learning about PBL in theory, you will actively clarify a challenge, ask meaningful questions, collaborate with peers, and develop a thoughtful solution proposal rooted in your context.

Do I need to bring a specific Challenge with me?

No. We will begin the week by brainstorming and narrowing down challenges together. You are welcome to arrive with ideas in mind, but you will have structured time and guidance to identify and refine the challenge you want to focus on during the conference.

What if my Challenge feels too big - or too small?

There is no challenge too big or too small! The goal is not to “fix everything,” but to develop a well-considered proposal for a solution grounded in evidence, learning from the conference, and your local context. What matters most is clarity and alignment, not scale.

Will I be working alone or with others?

That’s up to you. Participants may choose to work independently or collaborate with colleagues from their school if attending as a team. You will also engage in structured peer conversations throughout the week to strengthen your thinking, regardless of how you structure your work time.

What happens at the end of the week?

At the end of the conference, you will share your solution proposal in a creative, visual format designed to spark conversation and feedback. We’ll provide time and materials for you to bring your thinking to life in an engaging way. We won’t give too much away now, but expect a little creativity, a little making, and a lot of meaningful dialogue. The focus will remain on the strength of your proposal, with the final piece serving as a conversation starter rather than a polished performance.

What will I walk away with?

You will leave with a thoughtfully developed solution proposal grounded in your context and informed by the week’s learning. Many participants choose to refine or pilot their ideas shortly after the conference.

Do I need to attend every session for this to make sense?

Yes. The experience builds intentionally from session to session. Each workshop, conversation, and collaborative moment strengthens your understanding of the challenge and informs your developing proposal. Full participation ensures you experience the complete learning arc and leave with work you feel confident advancing.

How much time will we have to work on our proposal?

About three hours of dedicated work time is built into the conference. You will also have opportunities to apply insights from other sessions directly to your developing proposal.

Is this only for experienced place-based educators?

No. The structure supports educators at all stages. Whether you are new to place-based learning or refining established practices, the process is designed to deepen your thinking and move your work forward.

On Wednesday morning, we'll start with two-minute introductions from each school. NO preparation is required, and you should feel free to improvise. The three topics we'd like you to address in your two minutes are: 1) What your school is about, 2) Your school's pride, and 3) Your school's challenges. At the end of exactly two minutes, you will be clapped away, and the next school will begin. If you want to share one slide on each of those topics, we have created a collaborative slide deck where you can add your school's information...again, preparing slides is completely optional. Here are last year's slides, in case it's helpful to see a model. (We'll remind you about this as we get closer.)

All participants will spend part of the day in Grand Teton National Park on Thursday. Choose a hiking option based on your desired level of challenge and pace. Both hikes will include uneven ground, where rocks, roots, mud, snow, and other hazards are all possible. 

Naturalist Hike: averages 1.5mph while hiking, with many opportunities to stop, take pictures, and learn about the flora and fauna. This group might hike 1-3 miles in three hours, including a stop for lunch. The terrain will include minimal elevation gain.

Adventure Hike: averages 2 to 2.5 mph, with the goals of covering more ground and having fewer stops for photos, rests, and learning. This group might hike 4-6 miles in three hours, including a stop for lunch. The terrain may include steep elevation gain and descent.

Please email Sharon at sharon.laidlaw@tetonscience.org, if neither of those experiences are appropriate for you and you would like to discuss alternative options.

In the afternoon after the field experience (4:30pm - 6:00pm), participants will have the option of attending Project Exhibition Night at the Teton Valley Campus of Mountain Academy.

On Friday morning, we'll have a school swag exchange. Bring your school swag, if you'd like to participate!