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.
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.
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.
