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• eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in Environmental Education

  • Start
    November 01, 2023
  • End
    December 13, 2023
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Registration is closed

  Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Environmental Education 

  Description: UDL is an approach that improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all and that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. Ultimately, the goal of UDL is to support students and participants to become “expert learners” who are, each in their own way, purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-driven.

  This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This 6-week course takes approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from November 1st through December 13th, 2023. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

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• Virtual Environmental Education Career Fair

  • When
    December 06, 2023
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
  • Location
    Online | Zoom

  Register

  Calling all job seekers and employers! Join us for a virtual environmental education career fair. Site leaders will be grouped into breakout rooms, where they will make a pitch for their organization/worksite, share any current or upcoming employment opportunities, and end with Q&A. Job seekers will choose several rooms to attend. Interviews will not be conducted during the event, but if you make a connection you can exchange contact information and plan to follow up. Find your next dream job in environmental and outdoor education! 

  Participating employers include (with more to be announced!):

  • Camp Chrysalis
  • Camp KEEP
  • ECOS Institute
  • Foothill Horizons Outdoor School
  • KIDS for the BAY
  • Life Lab Science Program
  • NatureBridge
  • Outward Bound California
  • O'Neill Sea Odyssey
  • Palomar Christian Conference Center
  • The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre
  • UC ANR Environmental Stewards
  • Ventana Wildlife Society
  • Vilda

  Note, you don't have to be actively seeking new employment to attend - it can be beneficial to learn about different programs and opportunities even if you're happily employed where you are or haven't entered the field yet!

  
  

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• Managing Eco-Anxiety through Outdoor Learning

  • When
    January 16, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Managing Eco-Anxiety through Outdoor Learning

  Tues, January 16 – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Educators and Earth Rangers, Stephanie Doyle and Nicole Forsyth

  When kids are worried about the environment, they can feel scared, overwhelmed, and even hopeless. This is called eco-anxiety. But what can we do about it? How about turning Eco-Anxiety into Eco-Action? Eco-anxiety is a valid response to the real challenges our kids see around them. As adults, our job isn’t to make their concerns go away; it’s to help channel them into positive action. Join Stephanie and Nicole who will share research and practical ways on how Outdoor Learning and Environmental Action can help to manage Eco-Anxiety.

  All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.

  Learn more from Earth Rangers Experts in the ‘Eco Anxiety to Eco Action’ Podcast Episode: https://outdoorlearningstore.com/podcast/

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning Store:

  
  

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• Outdoor Learning Astronomy

  • When
    January 23, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Outdoor Learning Astronomy

  Tues, January 23 – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Educator and Astronomer, Julie Bolduc-Duval

  When we think of astronomy, we usually think of the night sky and that doesn’t work too well with regular classroom schedules. But there are many ways to teach astronomy and bringing the students outdoors is a great way to start! Whether you’re starting to observe the daytime sky (yes, there’s plenty to see and do during the day!) or using the great outdoors to create scale models, we’ll show you many activities for different grade levels. We’ll cover topics such as the phases of the Moon, eclipses, figuring out our place in the Solar System and the Milky Way Galaxy, and even exoplanets - those distant planets around other stars. We'll also explain how your students can explore these themes at home with their families. We love helping young people (and not so young!) reconnect with the sky and their environment and we have many ideas to share with you!

  All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.

  You can ‘Discover the Universe’ where you are with your own Night Sky Glow in the Dark Guide: https://outdoorlearningstore.com/product/the-night-sky-glow-in-dark/

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning Store:

  
  

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• Program Leaders' Annual Retreat - Friday & Saturday night

  • Start
    February 02, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    February 04, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, lodging for two nights*, and five meals included (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast). In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Professional development: TBD

  Draft Agenda

  • Friday afternoon arrival and check-in
  • Friday dinner
  • Friday social (optional)
  • Saturday breakfast
  • Saturday morning local exploration (on your own or team up with other attendees)
  • Saturday lunch 
    
  • Saturday afternoon: networking, resource share, and professional development (TBD)
  • Saturday dinner
  • Saturday evening social / prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
  • Sunday breakfast
  • Sunday open space

  *Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries. Please reach out to aeoe@aeoe.org if you prefer to secure your own lodging and meals. 

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• Program Leaders' Annual Retreat - No Lodging

  • Start
    February 03, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • End
    February 04, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for a retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, and two meals meals included (Saturday lunch and dinner). With this registration level you are responsible for securing your own lodging. In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Professional development: TBD

  Draft Agenda

  • Saturday late morning arrival and check-in
  • Saturday lunch (included)
    
  • Saturday afternoon: networking, resource share, and professional development (TBD)
  • Saturday dinner (included)
  • Saturday evening social / prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
  • Sunday breakfast (not included)
  • Sunday open space

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• Program Leaders' Annual Retreat - Saturday night

  • Start
    February 03, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • End
    February 04, 2024
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, lodging for one night*, and three meals included (Saturday lunch and dinner, plus Sunday breakfast). If you would like to arrive on Friday instead, please select the other Program Leaders' retreat registration. In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Professional development: TBD

  Draft Agenda

  • Saturday late morning arrival and check-in
  • Saturday lunch 
    
  • Saturday afternoon: networking, resource share, and professional development (TBD)
  • Saturday dinner
  • Saturday evening social / prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
  • Sunday breakfast
  • Sunday open space

  *Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries. Please reach out to aeoe@aeoe.org if you prefer to secure your own lodging and meals. 

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• Indigenous Resources for Outdoor Learning

  • When
    February 06, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Indigenous Resources for Outdoor Learning
  

  Tues, February 6 – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Publishers Qwultultun Robert Goldsmith & Seabacola Topher Beaton

  Join Qultultun and Seabacola to learn about authentic Indigenous Learning Resources that connect educators with the Land from across Turtle Island. From traditional to modern stories, educational books and resources, this workshop will connect you with the wealth of authentic Indigenous resources available from Strong Nations - Indigenous owned and operated publishing house. All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes!

  Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.

  You can learn more and access amazing Strong Nations resources here: https://outdoorlearningstore.com/2023/11/02/strong-nations-resources/

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning Store:

  
  

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• Stories in the Wild: Animal Tracks & Traces

  • When
    February 20, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Stories in the Wild: Animal Tracks & Traces
  

  Tues, February 20 – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Wild Educators Jill Jennings & Patty Kolesnichenko

  Join Wild educators Patty Kolesnichenko and Jill Jennings as they dive into a world of mystery and intrigue, of tracks and traces, of clues left behind by creatures you often do not see - a world of animal signs. Animal tracks and signs create the perfect scaffolding to storytelling, investigation, imagination, and FUN - all found in nearby nature. Patty and Jill will share “Stories in the WIld: Animal Tracks and Traces”, a resource that will bring the stories of the snow (or mud) to life! A track sheet with life size tracks and accompanying lesson plan, activities, and natural history cards will help educators to teach their learners how to become nature detectives and solve the mysteries left behind by our wild neighbours.

  All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.

  Create your own ‘Stories in the Wild’ with our new: Animal Tracks and Traces Guide: https://outdoorlearningstore.com/product/animal-tracks-traces/ Animal Tracks and Traces Kit: COMING SOON!

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning Store:

  
  

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• Enhancing Climate Change Education Through Active Learning

  • When
    February 27, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Enhancing Climate Change Education Through Active Learning

  Tues, February 27 – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Educator and Researcher Dr Karen Acton

  A national climate change education survey, conducted by Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) involving over 4,000 Canadians, found an overwhelming consensus that schools have an important role to play in educating our youth about climate change. Yet educators shared concerns about a lack of resources and professional learning opportunities. Studies in the U.S. show similar results. This interactive workshop will provide highlights of LSF’s climate change education survey results, and support workshop participants in increasing their repertoire of active learning strategies to effectively teach the complex topic of climate change. All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes!

  Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.

  Transform your Climate Change Education : Connecting the Dots: Key Strategies that Transform Learning for Environmental Education, Citizenship and Sustainability https://outdoorlearningstore.com/product/connecting-the-dots/

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning Store:

  
  

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• Save the Date: Statewide Conference 2024!

  • Start
    May 03, 2024
  •  
    2:00 PM
  • End
    May 05, 2024
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center, Orange County

  Announcing the annual statewide conference for environmental and outdoor educators!

  May 3-5, 2024 | Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center

  Save the date for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun! 

  Find more details at aeoe.org/conference-2024

  
  

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