2026 EENC Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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2:15pm EDT

Mindful and Playful. Collaborating with Mother Nature to create meaningful experiences of Environmental Education

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

This experiential workshop explores how mindfulness and play can be powerful co-creators of embodied learning in EE. This workshop seeks to demystify the idea that quiet stillness is the only available form of mindfulness. This workshop invites participants to play and to revisit their connection with more-than-human beings. This workshop weaves grounding practices and restorative sensory invitations into playful, interactive formats.

Speakers

Laura Lund

Forest Therapy Guide and Early Childhood Educator, Bridgewood Nature Connection

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 7B

Hands-On Minds-On

2:15pm EDT

Nature as Design Mentor: A Biomimicry Field Workshop

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

Room 8B

What if your students saw nature as a design lab, not just a landscape? In this interactive workshop, you'll tackle a real NC environmental problem by heading outside to find nature's solution. You'll leave the workshop with a changed perspective on problem-solving and an inquiry method you can run anywhere, with any age, next week.

Speakers

Leigh E Aultman

Learn Biomimicry

Biomimicry Educator Mentor

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 8B

Hands-On Minds-On

2:15pm EDT

New Lessons from Don't Waste It!

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

Room 10

Don’t Waste It! is a Criteria I educator guide that includes lessons and activities for covering municipal solid waste, landfills, recycling, composting, waterways, economy, and waste reduction. The guide was recently updated to include many new lessons and activities! Come to this session to try out two new activities and learn about available workshops and resources.

Speakers

Shannon Culpepper

Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling

Recycling & Education Specialist

Saturday September 12, 2026 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Room 10

Hands-On Minds-On

4:00pm EDT

Puppets with a Purpose

Saturday September 12, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Room 10

Puppets, are you ready?! Discover how puppetry can spark curiosity and help young children understand difficult science concepts like animal adaptations and the water cycle. For PreK and elementary environmental educators, this interactive session features live puppet demonstrations, ideas for implementing puppetry in your programs, and a hands-on opportunity to create simple, low-cost puppets that blend science, creativity, and play.

Speakers