"Teaching Outside the Lines"

Workshops

Resources from the workshops are available HERE

Keynote / Entertainment Workshops:

The Ecology of Wonder
David Abram, Keynote Speaker, author of "The Spell of the Sensuous; Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World"
We will ponder the deeply ecological role of the magician or shaman in indigenous cultures and how a certain openness to magic, considered not as a supernatural phenomenon, but as a mystery entirely proper to the wild earth, is integral and necessary to nature education. Read how Abram's workshop inspired one of our own...
Saturday 4:45-6:00 Session 3 Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Landscape Language and the Power of the Story
David Abram, Keynote Speaker, author of "The Spell of the Sensuous; Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World"
We will examine how language and the ways that we speak can either inhibit or enhance the felt kinship between our animal bodies and the animate earth around us. We'll ponder some forgotten ways of using language, and explore the ancient intimacy between story and place. Read how Abram's workshop inspired one of our own...
Sunday 9:00-10:30 Session 4 Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Songwriting and Ecology
Casey Neill, Main Event Conference Entertainment, singer, songwriter
Get some musical mentoring from the conference's main musical guest! We will explore the craft of songwriting with an emphasis on its uses for naturalists. Music is a great tool for outdoor educators and activists for ecological change. Live performance.
Saturday 3:15-4:30 Session 2 Limit 20, Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Storytelling though the Art of Pantomime
Abel Silvas, Conference speaker/entertainer, student of Marcel Marceau!
Participants will learn the vocabulary of the universal language of mime. Apply mime to a beginning, middle and end. After seeing his "Running Grunion" performance on Saturday, you will want to learn his secrets!
Saturday 9:45-11:00 Session 1

Diversity in EE:

Strand Sponsored by the Golden State Environmental Education Consortium (GSEEC) in collaboration with AEOE

The Albatross: An Experiential Approach to Multi-Cultural Education
Mike Marzolla, University of California Cooperative Extension 4-H & GSEEC
You will join us for a journey that will help you develop your skills as a cultural observer. You will have an opportunity to join with others to share and explore the landscape of multi-cultural understanding.
Double Session: Saturday 3:15-6:00 Session 3 & 4 Limit 25

The Great Society
rikki shackelford, Web of Life Field School
Interactive activity to engage students to learn about diversity. I will take one group and ask them to make two different societies. Through a number of activities we share about how our societies affect the way we interact with others.

Ingredients for Authentic Collaboration and Partnership
David Romain, Iron Triangle Community Collaborative GSEEC and Jeff Hohensee TreePeople
Exploring the ramifications of engagement among members of a diverse population seen in the context of our need to collaborate over a wide range of skills.

Organizational Change for Diversity
Jack Shu, Jeff Hohensee, Armando Nieto
What are the cultural and structural changes environmental organizations need to make to effectively serve diverse populations and communities.

Understanding Cultural Diversity through Nature
Kim Bosell, Monrovia Canyon Park
Making use of comparisons, anthropomorphisms, field study, creative thinking and writing activities to increase the connection for the students with nature and their peers.

Pedagogy for ESL students
Celeste Royer, and Hilda Castillo, Bilingual Environmental Education Consultant
Participants will learn techniques they can directly apply in the field to adjust instruction for English language learners. How to constuct program administration and content to meet the needs of recent immigrants to the United States.

~~Multicultural Environmental Education~~ CANCELLED 4/28
Running-Grass, Director of Three Circles Center
This experiential workshop will assist educators in understanding the full dimensions of the challenges of teaching in a multicultural society, identify tools and promising strategies, and inspire them to mobilize environmentalism to heal and build a multicultural society at peace with itself and the natural world. Handouts provided.

"Agua Pura" - Build a Watershed Model
Samantha Escobar and Michael Marzolla
Build a watershed model and see the effect humans and animals and natural earth processes have on the ocean. To learn more about Agua Pura, and see the Agua Pura Leadership Institute Planning Manual for Latino Communities, click here.

Recruiting from Youth Conservation Corps - Where Environmental Experiential Education happens daily
Richard Rodriguez, Program Analyst; Cesar Avilla, Field Program Manager; Reggie Archie, Field Program Coordinator
The workshop will begin with a slide presentation that presents an overview of the work of the Corps does in applied environmental technologies and how this work exhibits authentic community-based experiential education. Presenters will then review some of the successes - and failures - in developing relationships and encouraging dialogue with inner city youth whom initial have little interest or desire in environmental issues and share what they believe to be important attitudes, strategies and skill sets for staff working with urban youth in an environmental field. Participants will then have an opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion of how to tap the resources of the corps for potential recruitment, internship and mentoring opportunities.

Diversity Forum-Wrap Up Session
Jack Shu, Armando Nieto, Running Grass
What are the short and long term tasks for the organization and individuals to move forward on serving diverse communities.
Sunday

Language Arts/Drama:

Landscape Language and the Power of the Story (also listed above in Keynote workshops)
David Abram, Keynote Speaker, author of "The Spell of the Sensuous; Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World"
We will examine how language and the ways that we speak can either inhibit or enhance the felt kinship between our animal bodies and the animate earth around us. We'll ponder some forgotten ways of using language, and explore the ancient intimacy between story and place. Read how Abram's workshop inspired one of our own...
Sunday 9:00-10:30 Session 4 Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Storytelling though the Art of Pantomime (also listed above in Keynote workshops)
Abel Silvas, Conference speaker/entertainer, student of Marcel Marceau!
Participants will learn the vocabulary of the universal language of mime. Apply mime to a beginning, middle and end. After seeing his "Running Grunion" performance on Saturday, you will want to learn his secrets!
Saturday 9:45-11:00 Session 1

We Don't Need the TV, We Have a Storyteller
Dean Thompson, KEEP Ocean 16 years experience as a naturalist and professional storyteller.
The original form of teaching was through myth and storytelling. Come discover the art of creating stories out of natural systems, life experiences, traditional folktales and myths. Come to listen and to swap some stories.

Embark, Enlighten and Educate through Poetry
Nicole Cheslock, Program Consultant
The great American outdoors and our urban environments have sparked reflection, imagination and reverence. We'll read poems that focus on sense of place and natural history. Come explore poetry and share ways to integrate poems into your program.

Using Plays and Skits to Reinforce Lesson Planning
Kyle McPherson and Brett Tillman, Camp Highland Outdoor Science School
Workshop will consist of participating in skits and creating lessons based upon your skit creations.
Limit 30

Magic, Mystery and Wonder:

The Ecology of Wonder (also listed above in Keynote workshops)
David Abram, Keynote Speaker, author of "The Spell of the Sensuous; Perception and Language in a More-than-Human World"
We will ponder the deeply ecological role of the magician or shaman in indigenous cultures and how a certain openness to magic, considered not as a supernatural phenomenon, but as a mystery entirely proper to the wild earth, is integral and necessary to nature education. Read how Abram's workshop inspired one of our own...
Saturday 4:45-6:00 Session 3 Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Using Magic to Promote Outdoor Education (also listed below in Teaching Methods workshops)
Frank Padilla Jr, State Park Superintendent with over 28 years experience with state parks.
This introductory session is designed to show you how to use some basic magic skills for outdoor education or interpretive programs. State Park Superintendent Frank Padilla, Jr., a.k.a. "Pack Rat Frank, The Outdoor Safety Magician" will show you how to do a variety of simple tricks that you can use in an outdoor setting and ways to develop your message or educational points when using magic. The session combines instructor presentation, hands-on learning and individual and group practice. Participants will receive all the necessary information and props needed to do the tricks during the session.
Double Session Saturday 3:15-6:00 Sessions 2 & 3 Materials Fee $10.00 Limit 20

Keeping the Magic Alive (also listed below in Teaching Methods workshops)
Steve Van Zandt, San Mateo Outdoor School, Banana Slug String Band
From stories of inspiration and magic to teaching ideas that you can use tomorrow, this workshop is designed to renew your love for the art of teaching. We will look at planning a flow using "Into, Through and Beyond", ways to infuse a theme, "Framing," "Kinesthetic Focusers" and an understanding of the classics. Join Steve Van Zandt, Principal of San Mateo Outdoor Ed. (and member of the Banana Slug String Band) for a thought provoking and active session. Handouts Provided. (This workshop is a repeat of last spring with some changes and new ideas) Click on the workshop title for an outline of this workshop at last year's AEOE conference!

Science / Natural History:

Aquatic Sciences - Marine Biology, Oceanography

Key to the Sea
Catie Farias, Heal the Bay and Vicki Wawerchak, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
Learn about watershed stewardship, storm water pollution prevention and marine conservation-through fun, hands-on and engaging educational activities. Find out your connections to the sea in everyday living and the important responsibility we all share in taking care of our southern California coastal environment. Free standard aligned curriculum guide and supply filled tote bag provided.
Double Session Saturday 3:15-6:00 Sessions 2 & 3 Limit 40

Malibu Lagoon Field Trip
Jennifer Shelstead, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains
A field trip to Malibu Lagoon State Beach where participants and will walk around the lagoon and learn about the local plants, animals and ecology of Malibu Lagoon.
Limit 15

Tidepool Cruiser
Gary Poe, Windows On Our Waters
Get a worm's eye view of the path a cigarette butt takes on the way to oceans and rivers. Hands-on way to learn about the health of our marine environment and ways to reduce non-point source pollution entering our oceans.

Watersheds, Rivers and Streams

~~Fluvial Morphology for Elementary Grades~~ Cancelled 4/27
Ruby Stein, Arroyo Viejo Creek Patrol
An introduction and tutorial on measuring stream flow with elementary school children. This workshop models the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center program in Oakland

Watershed Perspective: Teaching, Mapping, and Involving the Whole Community in EE
David Berman, Westminster Woods, and Dan Allison, Adopt a Watershed
Watershed education is a wonderful way to teach about the whole. We all live in a watershed. We will explore mapping and connecting with resource people, agencies, restoration, projects and grants.

Birds and other Wildlife

~~UFO's - Raptor Identification through Classification~~ Cancelled
~~Traci Fesko, Project Coordinator at the Regional Learning Center.~~
If you are a bird nerd or a beginner or a wanna be birder this workshop is for you. I will help you make sense of all the fast forms flying by through group characteristics and field identification and other field helpful hints.

Bird Language
Katy Schutz and Rachel Harris, San Mateo Outdoor Education
We will present information about the different voices and calls of birds and bird behavior followed by a practical application of the new skills in the field. This workshop will change the way you walk through the forest.
Limit 20

Living Lightly

Worms Gotta Eat, too!
Barbara "Bug" Meyers, Arrowhead Ranch Outdoor Science School
Great workshop for beginning composters and educators who want to "Get outside the Lines" and establish a composting operation at home or work site.
Limit 20

~~K.E.E.P. Ocean Solar Project~~ Cancelled
Noll Roberts, Kern County Superintendent of Schools KEEP Ocean
Learn about how Solar Cells are used at the KEEP Ocean facility

Miscellaneous Science and Natural History

Discover Backyard Herbal Medicines with Kids
Jennifer Hammond, San Mateo Outdoor Education
Discover medicinal uses for both cultivated and wild plants. Make herbal balms and natural chapstick! Learn to make human and plant community connections. Limit 12, Fee $3.00

What is Living?
Beth Nordeen, Natural History Museum of LA County
When scientists look for life places other than Earth, how do they know what they are looking for? What are the characteristics and requirements of Earth-Based lifeforms? What are the extremophiles and how do they help scientists learn about the possibilities of life on other planets? Learn about the exciting science of Astrobiology and what it has to do with life on Earth!
Limit 30

Plate Tectonics
Dan Webster, Foothill Horizon Outdoor School
Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) presents the unifying theory of the plate tectonics in a activity based, experiential session.
Double Session Saturday 2 & 3; 3:15-6:00 Limit 40

Translating Field Research into Educational Practices
Susan Rauchwerk, Earthwatch Institute
This workshop will begin with a presentation by an Earthwatch Scientist who will describe their research and how they engage volunteers in helping them collect data, current findings. There will also me a presentation on student based scientific research can be applied to both classroom and non traditional settings. Finally the participants will engage in a research activity based on scientists' work. Hand-outs

Drawing Lines on a Map
Leslie Edwards and Leeta Latham, California State University, Long Beach
Maps are an integral tool for understanding all types of research. Learn how to incorporate mapping skills in the field and in the classroom. Participants will learn how to teach students the basic elements of map making and how to turn research done in the field or the schoolyard into different cartographic styles.

California Forests Facts vs Emotions
Jay Lopez, LA County Fire Department, Forestry Division
Learn the reality of California Forestry. What is the California Fire Plan? What are the benefits and costs of wildland fires? What issues face California forests in the future?

Teaching Methods / Curricula / Research

Integrating EE into the Community

Service Learning at Outdoor School
Pete Devine, Yosemite Institute
Hands-On workshop with hand-outs discussion of how service learning can meet standards and improve program effectiveness and be fun.

Environmental Service Projects for Urban Youth
Yvonne LaVallee, TreePeople
How to initiate, facilitate and complete student led urban environmental service projects that are linked to the state standards.

Beyond the Classroom: Essential Learning in the Natural World
Kym McCulley, Calgary Parks
Participants will gain further insight based on our research results on how to enhance student learning, improve teacher practices and support the integration of environmental education between site, school and community

School Yard Habitats
Nicole Fernandes, National Wildlife Federation
At nature centers, museums and schools, Schoolyard Habitats provide on-site field trips and hands-on learning opportunities for students and the community. Learn the nuts and bolts and introductory steps for leading youth in the creation of wildlife habitat at your facility.

Using "Environmentality" in the Outdoor School
Janice Sindoni, Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge
How Naturalists can use "Environmentality' as pre and post tool to continue to engage students before and after their experience at outdoor school.

Using "Environmentality" in the Classroom
Janice Sindoni, Jiminy Cricket's Environmentality Challenge
How teachers can use Environmental education projects to teach standards in the classroom. Winning teachers share their projects and motivate you to do a project with your students.

Research and Philosophy in EE and Curriculum Design

Experiential Education and the Globalized Future
Joanna Paul, The Boojum Institute for Experiential Education
Participants will examine the role of education in the world of tomorrow and experiential education's growing potential as a curriculum for the future.

Curriculum Design in Adventure Education
Jeff Baierlein, The Boojum Institute for Experiential Education
Explore the differences between curriculum design, syllabus development and lesson planning in adventure education. Managers and Program Directors will be better able to market and develop their programs and articulate their vision. Naturalists will be able to have a clear sense what they are doing and why it is so important.

~~Advocacy or Education?~~ Cancelled 4/20
Cherylin Leong, TreePeople
This workshop will look at what resources and materials are good to use in the classroom and which ones are not. This will focus on CREEC's filter, using the resource directory, and teaching students how to think, not what to think.

~~Mentoring in Nature~~ Cancelled 4/30
Warren Brush, educator with many years working with elders and teachers from various cultures in North America and New Zealand. Wilderness Youth Project
We will delve into the many subtle facets of cultural mentoring and practices and philosophies. We will weave a basket of understanding by exploring the wefts of the mentor's role in bridging nature's influence on the learning process and weave them together with the many layers of learning that spiral around
Double Session Saturday 3:15-6:00; Sessions 2 & 3

So You Want to Change Individuals' Behavior
Nicole Cheslock, Program Consultant
This interactive session will feature information on effective ways to change behavior. This session is ideal for people who want to expand their knowledge of environmental education research and behavior theories.

Changing Behavior and Creating Real Environmental Stewards: Theory and Practice that has changed Headland Institute Forever
Duffy Ross, Headlands Institute
How do we inspire students to change their behavior and make responsible choices for the environment? Today's research on responsible environmental behavior challenges us as educators to go beyond simply sharing nature with students. We must design curriculum so that it consciously builds the skills that empower real change in student's lives.

Miscellaneous Teaching Methods and Techniques

Keeping the Magic Alive (also listed above under "Magic, Mystery and Wonder")
Steve Van Zandt, San Mateo Outdoor School, Banana Slug String Band
From stories of inspiration and magic to teaching ideas that you can use tomorrow, this workshop is designed to renew your love for the art of teaching. We will look at planning a flow using "Into, Through and Beyond", ways to infuse a theme, "Framing," "Kinesthetic Focusers" and an understanding of the classics. Join Steve Van Zandt, Principal of San Mateo Outdoor Ed. (and member of the Banana Slug String Band) for a thought provoking and active session. Handouts Provided. (This workshop is a repeat of last spring with some changes and new ideas) Click on the workshop title for an outline of this workshop at last year's AEOE conference!

Using Magic to Promote Outdoor Education (also listed above under "Magic, Mystery and Wonder")
Frank Padilla Jr, State Park Superintendent with over 28 years experience with state parks.
This introductory session is designed to show you how to use some basic magic skills for outdoor education or interpretive programs. State Park Superintendent Frank Padilla, Jr., a.k.a. "Pack Rat Frank, The Outdoor Safety Magician" will show you how to do a variety of simple tricks that you can use in an outdoor setting and ways to develop your message or educational points when using magic. The session combines instructor presentation, hands-on learning and individual and group practice. Participants will receive all the necessary information and props needed to do the tricks during the session.
Double Session Saturday 3:15-6:00 Sessions 2 & 3 Materials Fee $10.00 Limit 20

The Totally Awesome Teacher Trainer
Terry McLaughlin, Yosemite Institute
This workshop is a fun, hands-on learning game designed to introducing novice outdoor educators to 7 skills essential for effective teaching. If you train staff at your site this session is a must for you.
Double, Session 2-3 Limit 30

Character Education through the Natural World
Bobbie Visnovske, Yosemite Institute
In response to cultural indicators of character and moral regression this workshop will explore methods and activities that teach values, respect, responsibility, courage, loyalty and develop character.

Successful Questioning and Response Techniques
Susan Immer, Monrovia Canyon Park
Improve the ability to communicate with visitors through appropriate formation of questions. Bloom's taxonomy of the six levels of thought will be reviewed with emphasis on how information and ideas are acquired, assimilated and applied.

~~Don’t Just Stick It in the File Cabinet~~ Cancelled 4/30
Deborah Graves, Inside the Outdoors
Bring markers, ideas plus your site activities and learn to design a comprehensive program that is interdisciplinary multi learning and meets CA Science Standards.

Program Design with the Kid in Mind
Rosa Bautista, TreePeople
Thinking back on your childhood, can you link a fond memory to an experience in nature? Children are naturally drawn to nature. Learn how to capture that inherent love and incorporate a child’s sense of play.

Let’s Play
Talia Hack-Davie and Phaela Peck, San Mateo Outdoor Education
Learn and play games. Games that are fun, educational, team building geared both for students and staff bonding.

Arts and Crafts / Skills / Music / Miscellaneous

Gourd-geous Bowls
Diann M. Rastetter, OCDE Outdoor Science School
Learn how to turn a hardshell gourd and Ponderosa pine needles into a beautiful decorative bowl. We will use organically grown gourds from Fallbrook CA and create a masterpiece! This workshop could be a little messy, so be willing to get dirty
Materials Fee $10.00 / Limit 12

Native American Basket Weaving for Beginners
Cathy Chamber, KEEP Ocean
In this workshop we will make a small Tule basket using the twining method. We will also discuss how basket weaving and native plant use of fiber materials can be brought into the outdoor education setting.
Limit 10

String Figures
Beth Nordeen, Natural History Museum of LA County
You can use a ball of yarn and a pair of scissors to build confidence and communication skills with students. We will explore beginning figures up to difficulty level of Jacob's Ladder. If time permits, we could even enter the "Many Stars" family of figures from the Navajo. I will include a special activity of Giant Cat's Cradle which is a great Teambuilding activity.
Limit 12

Digital Camera 101
Jack Sanford, Life member of AEOE
Digital Cameras are the future and the future is now. Learn the advantages and disadvantages. The workshop will help you select a digital camera and learn why to go digital. Understand resolution, megapixels, zoom, memory and transferring images to your computer and emailing.

Music

Songwriting and Ecology (Listed above in Keynote Workshops)
Casey Neill, Main Event Conference Entertainment, singer, songwriter
Get some musical mentoring from the conference's main musical guest! We will explore the craft of songwriting with an emphasis on its uses for naturalists. Music is a great tool for outdoor educators and activists for ecological change. Live performance.
Limit 20, Fee $15 - register and pay in advance - see registration form

Nose Flutes and Slide Whistles: Random Musical Instruments
Robb "Big Brown Bat" Stolberg, Walden West Outdoor School
Participants will get to try out some uncommon musical instruments and gain ideas of how to incorporate them into fun outdoor education activities. Will provide each participant with their own instrument to take home
Materials Fee $2.00

Release the Drummer Within
Burton Lang, Drum for your life
Learn the basics of dynamics, latin rhythm parts, get acquainted with easy to make percussion and let that drummer out.
Limit 20

Tuning into the Environment through Music
Cameron Alexander and Dan Stein, San Mateo Outdoor Education
We will facilitate an open sharing of songs that are education oriented and inspirational for outdoor ed students. Please bring your voice, a song or a desire to learn and participate.

Career Paths:

Career Skills

"Goin' On A Job Hunt!" How to Put Your Best Foot Forward and Avoid Common Pitfalls
Heather Butler, Web of Life School. Heather is someone who reads resumes, interviews, and hires!
Participants will see examples of good resumes vs bad and we will discuss what to include in a resume. Where to look for that next job? How to prepare for the interview. Role play interview questions.

Job Fair - Outdoor Schools, Nature Centers, Museums, and Other Outdoor/EE Programs
The Job Fair will be an opportunity for conference attendees to learn about outdoor science schools and other non-formal education organizations throughout California. Administrators and staff members from these programs will be available to answer questions and accept your resumes. Come prepared with questions and answers!

Of Special Interest to Administrators, Program Directors, Lead Teachers, etc.

Ingredients for Authentic Collaboration and Partnership
David Romain, Iron Triangle Community Collaborative GSEEC
Jeff Hohensee Treepeople
Exploring the ramifications of engagement among members of a diverse population seen in the context of our need to collaborate over a wide range of skills.

Don’t Just Stick It in the File Cabinet
Deborah Graves, Inside the Outdoors
Bring markers, ideas plus your site activities and learn to design a comprehensive program that is interdisciplinary multi learning and meets CA Science Standards.

Pedagogy for ESL students
Celeste Royer, Hilda Castillo
Participants will learn techniques they can directly apply in the field to adjust instruction for English language learners. How to constuct program administration and content to meet the needs of recent immigrants to the United States.

NOTE: There may be a few more workshops added by the time of the conference - so please use the conference program (that you pick up AT the conference) in deciding which workshops to sign up for

To volunteer for the conference committee, please contact Helen de la Maza, 714-838-6257 H,

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AEOE | Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education in California * updated 6/9/05 6:00 PM *