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.
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!
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.
Does learning about climate change and the biodiversity crisis stress out children and teens? What are the most effective ways of presenting challenging information about the state of our environment? Join Rachel Woods for a conversation about the impacts of climate change on children and teen’s mental health and learn about actions we can take to support the youth in our lives. Information will be presented from recent reports published by ecoAmerica and the American Psychological Association.
Owner and Lead Teacher, Dragonfly Nature Programs and Path to Positive Climate Ambassador
I am the owner and lead teacher of Dragonfly Nature Programs. We design and teach nature studies to young people in schools all over the Triangle Area. I also volunteer as a NC Climate Ambassador with ecoAmerica's Path to Positive Community. I advocate for climate action along with... Read More →
Saturday September 12, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am EDT Room 7B
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.
What can death, dying and climate justice teach us about conserving life on Earth? This session shares outcomes from a course at Warren Wilson College that engaged students in sustainable end-of-life planning. The class sessions focused on field experiences to explore people and places, from death doulas to casket weavers, conservation burial grounds to body farms. We will discuss diverse ways to replicate this model in other institutions, from grassroots groups to faith communities.
