Freshly Brewed Coffee, Hot Water with Assorted Organic Tea Bags, Ice Water, Seasonal Fresh Fruit Tray, Fresh House-Made Oatmeal with Cinnamon, Brown Sugar and Raisins, An Assortment of Yogurts, Freshly Baked Raspberry Oat Bars, GF Blueberry Muffins
Teaching young learners outdoors is a powerful way to foster environmental literacy and meaningful connections to the natural world. This interactive session explores research-based strategies for maximum engagement of young students in outdoor learning experiences. Delve into best practices for establishing outdoor routines, promoting student interest and focus, and facilitating meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom walls.
Explore how GIS tools like ArcGIS StoryMaps transform local data, imagery, and video into immersive, place-based learning experiences. Using a real watershed virtual field trip from Sampson County, NC, discover how educators can expand environmental access, deepen understanding, and connect learners to their world — no bus required.
It can be helpful to have field guides tailored to your site for your programs. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to create a custom field guide, including where to find species information, choosing photos, and laying out your guide - and you’ll walk away with a guide started! Bring a phone or laptop to access the internet during the session.
Dive into water quality science with this hands-on immunoassay activity! Participants will test simulated contaminated water samples to identify mystery pathogens — just like real environmental scientists. Part of NC BioNetwork's Immunoassay Investigations program, this activity offers a compelling, classroom-ready supplement for teaching immunoassays and water pollution concepts.
STEM Outreach Coordinator, Central Region, NC BioNetwork
As a STEM Outreach Coordinator, I focus on the Piedmont region of North Carolina, coordinating and delivering STEM and life science programs to K-12 schools and community colleges. I collaborate with life science industry groups and BioNetwork staff to develop conventions that illuminate... Read More →
Friday September 11, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am EDT Room 14
George Masa was a Japanese immigrant photographer whose work helped inspire the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail, yet his story remains largely unknown. Through photography, storytelling, and examples from the George Masa Foundation, this session explores how educators can use local conservation history and place-based learning to deepen environmental connection and student engagement.
What can the underground networks of Harriet Tubman and Amanita phalloides (the death cap mushroom) teach us about a naturalist education at a time when knowing one's environment is increasingly a matter of life and death? How might a "fungal lens" help us to create coherent narratives out of climate chaos in collaboration with the more than human world?
Maria Pinto is a writer, teaching artist, and mycophile. Her work has appeared in several publications, including Frigg, Necessary Fiction, Word Riot, The Butter, and Dostoevsky Wannabe Cities: Boston. She has been awarded fellowships and residencies by the Mass Cultural Council... Read More →
Want to know how school districts, nonformal educators and community partners can collaborate to support teachers and schools? Learn how the Wake Green Schools Partnership is increasing environmental literacy and sustainability by supporting teachers with professional development, networking and peer support opportunities. Come join our discussion to develop ideas for partnering to advance EE and sustainability in your own school community!
Come and celebrate the joy of successful community collaborations that immerse students in nature and culture! Learn how environmental education partners across western North Carolina work with New Kituwah Academy, Cherokee language immersion school, to create outdoor experiences that honor Cherokee language, history, culture and identity. Simple on campus activities to overnight camping adventures. Join us!
Bring stream ecology to life with affordable, hands-on freshwater macroinvertebrate exploration kits. Learn how to design and build portable systems for use in classrooms, community events, and field programs. Participants will examine working examples across multiple budgets, receive build plans and supply lists, and gain practical strategies for engaging learners with their local aquatic ecosystems.
This session explores how creative nature writing can deepen environmental education for older learners. This interactive session uses sensory journaling, storytelling, and observation activities outdoors to build ecological literacy, creativity, and connection to place. Participants will leave with adaptable, hands-on strategies for classrooms, camps, parks, and community programs.
Working on an evaluation project and need support? Just want to learn more about evaluation? Join this 90-minute session to workshop your ideas and join the conversation. Using resources like eeVAL and EENC’s Embracing Evaluations course, we will explore common themes before breaking into small groups. Connect with peers and experienced evaluators to discuss questions, navigate challenges, and find promising solutions.
Science Across NC is a statewide collaborative that helps educators connect learners with outdoor, participatory science across the year. This session will introduce the network, show how schools and organizations can join, and feature the October NC Spider Search as a timely way to engage students in observation, biodiversity, and community science.
A new piedmont trail will combine accessible design with the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich cultural and natural history. Join Erin Hines, Environmental Educator for Gaston Co. Dept. of Natural Resources, and Ashton Lamb, Trail Development Manager for Carolina Thread Trail, to learn how local partnerships made this project possible. We will cover how the trail was planned for a variety of mobility levels as well as how the community was engaged in the planning process for interpretive signage, led by 2nd Nature TREC.
Join us in exploring the phosphorus cycle and learn about different factors that influence the movement of phosphorus. Using a game format and stations, investigate how phosphorus is used and moved. Learn how surface water, soil characteristics, and farming influence the cycle as well as the role of phosphorus in eutrophication. Participants will receive copies of the game and the lesson plan to use with students.
From Jump! From Day One! From the beginning is an important way to look at the connections that we have with the world around us. Being connected to the land around us is built into our connections to our ancestors as Black people. Years of trauma, racism, enslavement, and forced labor has made us uniquely connected to our sense of community and that creates some unique aspects for our connections to our environmental world and community.
Spending time outdoors can not only help us feel more connected to our environments but also has proven mental health benefits. Join us as we talk through some key learnings from our program: Niñitos de la Naturaleza, and our approach to reframing what science is, and how we can celebrate discovery of the world around us.
