1

2017 VAEE Annual Conference - October 10-12 4-H Conference Center, Front Royal

Welcome Thanks for joining the Virginia Association for Environmental Education for our 2017 annual conference. We look forward to three days together to explore environmental education resources, learn best practices, and meet environmental education professionals from around Virginia.

Thank You We appreciate the support of our conference sponsors.

Devils Backbone Brewing Company

Virginia Environmental Endowment

Virginia Lake and Water Association

Virginia Resource Use Education Council

We also appreciate everyone who generously donated items for our silent auction.

2

Planning Your Visit

The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center The 2017 conference is taking place at the Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center located at 600 4-H Center Drive in Front Royal. The Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center, adjacent to the Shenandoah National Park and The Appalachian Trail, is only a few miles from Interstate 66 as well as Interstate 81. The center offers many different programming opportunities such as low- and high-ropes challenge courses, a two-sided climbing tower, as well as environmental education and outdoor education. The facility is open year-round and is designed for groups at affordable prices.

Lodging We will be staying in dormitory style rooms at the 4-H center in the following buildings: Congressman (Upper), Congressman (Lower), Robinson East, and Robinson West. Rooms will have two to three people per room. We are using lower bunks only in the rooms with bunk beds.

Please Bring Don’t forget your reusable water bottle, reusable coffee mug, linens (if not requested at registration - twin size sheets, pillow case, blanket, towel and wash cloth), and toiletries. Please also bring musical instruments for the campfire if you have them.

Virginia Association for Environmental Education VAEE Officers:

Greg Eaton, Chair

Charlene Talcott, Vice Chair

Helen Kuhns, Secretary

Lisa Behm, Treasurer

2017 Conference Planning Committee Lisa Behm

Barb Dunbar

Cindy Duncan

Greg Eaton

Elenor Hodges

Krista Hodges

Page Hutchinson

Helen Kuhns

Danielle Racke

Charlene Talcott

Bruce Young

3

Regional Teams:

Center for Rappahannock-Rapidan Environmental Stewardship

Central Virginia Environmental Education Coalition

Charlottesville Regional Environmental Coalition

Eastern Shore Environmental Education Council

Greater Richmond Environmental Education Network

Hampton Roads Alliance for Environmental Education

Loudoun Environmental Stewardship Alliance

New River Highlands Environmental Education Alliance

NoVA Outside

Shenandoah Valley Environmental Education Alliance

Southern Virginia Environmental Education Team

Southwest Virginia Environmental Education Team

Three Rivers Environmental Educators

Exhibitors Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Environmental Almanac of Virginia

Lynchburg College’s Claytor Nature Study Center

NoVA Outside

Project Learning Tree

Shenandoah National Park

Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia Tech (Note - this list is confirmed as of October 4. Additional exhibitors may be added.)

4

Conference At A Glance

Tuesday, October 10

2:00 to 6:00 Check In - Lobby Outside of Auditorium

3:00 to 4:15 VAEE Annual Membership Meeting and Elections - Auditorium

4:30 to 5:30 Updates: Virginia EE Certification Program, VAEE and Regional E.E. Team Mini-Grants, and

Chesapeake Bay Education Workgroup Report

6:00 to 7:00 Dinner - Dining Hall

7:00 to 8:00 Keynote Speaker - Dr. Peter Marra - Auditorium

8:00 Networking Reception/Cash Bar - Back of the Dining Hall

Wednesday, October 11

7:00 to 8:00 Breakfast - Dining Hall

7:00 to 10:00 Check In - Lobby Outside of Auditorium

8:30 to 9:00 Welcome/Conference Overview

9:00 Silent Auction Opens

9:00 to 12:30 Sessions

12:15 to 1:15 Lunch - Dining Hall

1:15 to 4:30 Sessions

4:30 to 6:30 Free Time

5:30 NoVA Outside Happy Hour – Picnic Shelter Off Dining Hall

6:30 to 7:30 Dinner - Dining Hall

7:30 Silent Auction Closes

8:00 Campfire

Thursday, October 12

7:00 to 8:00 Breakfast - Dining Hall

7:00 to 8:30 Check Out

8:30 Meet for Field Trips/Pick Up Boxed Lunches

5

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, October 10

2:00 to 6:00 Check In – Lobby Outside of Auditorium

3:00 to 4:15 VAEE Annual Membership Meeting and Elections - Auditorium

4:30 to 5:30 Updates – Auditorium - Virginia EE Certification Program Planning and Q & A on the

Certification Advisory Board - VAEE and Regional E.E. Team Mini-Grants - Chesapeake Bay Education Workgroup Report

6:00 to 7:00 Dinner – Dining Hall

7:00 to 8:00 Keynote Speaker – Dr. Peter Marra – Auditorium

8:00 Networking Reception/Cash Bar – Back of the Dining Hall

TUESDAY | 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. Auditorium VAEE Annual Membership Meeting The annual membership meeting will include association business and officer elections.

TUESDAY |4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Auditorium Updates: Virginia EE Certification Program Planning: Q & A on the Certification Advisory Board and Mid-Atlantic Environmental Literacy Update This session will provide a brief update on the two recent EE certification planning retreats at Virginia Tech and New Kent Forestry Center, including the decision to establish a Certification Advisory Board (CAB). This meeting will serve as an information session. Anyone interested in volunteering to serve on the CAB is strongly encouraged to attend. We will also provide updates on the VAEE and regional EE team mini-grants and a Chesapeake Bay Education Workgroup Report.

TUESDAY |7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Auditorium Keynote Presentation – Cat Wars: The Devastating Consequences of a Cuddly Killer

Presenter - Dr. Peter Marra, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center Cat Wars traces the historical and cultural ties between humans and cats from early domestication to the current boom in pet ownership, along the way accessibly explaining the

6

science of extinction, population modeling, and feline diseases. Dr. Marra has written more than 175 scientific publications, is the coeditor of Birds of Two Worlds, and directs the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center.

Wednesday, October 11

7:00 to 8:00 Breakfast - Dining Hall

7:00 to 10:00 Check In – Lobby Outside of Auditorium

8:30 to 9:00 Welcome/Conference Overview – Auditorium

9:00 Silent Auction Opens

9:00 to 12:30 Sessions 9:00-12:00 | 3-Hour Workshop Session One 9:00-10:30 | 1 ½-Hour Workshop Session One 9:15-10:00 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions One 10:30-11:15 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Two 11:00-12:30 | 1 ½-Hour Workshop Session Two 11:30-12:15 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Three

12:15 to 1:15 Lunch - Dining Hall

1:15 to 4:30 Sessions 1:15-4:15 | 3-Hour Workshop Session Two 1:15-2:45 | 1½-Hour Workshop Session Three 1:30-2:15 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Four 2:45-3:30 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Five 3:00-4:30 | 1½-Hour Workshop Session Four 3:45-4:30 | 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Six

4:30 to 6:30 Free Time

5:30 NoVA Outside Happy Hour – Picnic Shelter Off Dining Hall

6:30 to 7:30 Dinner - Dining Hall

7:30 Silent Auction Closes

8:00 Campfire – Lower Campfire Circle

Note on outdoor locations – all programs scheduled in the picnic shelter will be moved to the study or library in case of inclement weather.

7

WEDNESDAY | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Conference 4 3-Hour Workshop Session One A "Deep Dive" into the New MWEE Educators Guide Presenter(s): Kevin Schabow & Andrew Larkin Description: In recent years, the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office's Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program has awarded approximately $1 million annually to support meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEE) for K-12 students and teachers in Virginia. NOAA B-WET staff propose to lead a workshop that will take a "deep dive" into how to use the new MWEE Educators Guide. The guide is available for free on baybackpack.com This session will include hands on demonstration with small groups of educators in breakout sessions that will focus on understanding the MWEEs, planning and implementing a MWEE, evaluating a MWEE, and sustaining a MWEE. NOAA staff and B-WET grantees will provide examples of successfully implemented MWEEs and help participants identify sources of funding for MWEE planning and implementation. Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Conference 3 1 1/2-Hour Workshop Session One Project Learning Tree Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood

Presenter(s): Tarneshia Evans Description: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood provides an introduction to environmental education, encouraging children ages 3 to 6 to explore, discover and communicate in expressive ways with over 130 experiences that engage young children in outdoor exploration and play. Participants will get the book.

Audience: Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions One (4 options) Teaching the Environment with Games Library

Presenter(s): Lindy Durham

Description: Experience some old favorites and discover new games and hands-on activities that make learning about the environment fun. Each participant will receive a "how to" notebook detailing how to make and use activities like: conservation jeopardy, poop toss, soil babies and seed bombs. Great ideas to use in the classroom and community events!

8

Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, Community, Non-formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Project Based Learning at Maymont Picnic Shelter off the Dining Hall

Presenter(s): Krista Weatherford

Description: Project based learning (PBL) is an effective teaching method to foster deeper learning opportunities and connections. In this hands-on session, Maymont Environmental Education staff will showcase ways they use PBL with teachers and students to investigate nature in form, function and processes.

Audience: Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Creating Natural Play and Learning Spaces Conference 1

Presenter(s): Nancy Striniste, Landscape Designer

Description: An experienced landscape designer and former teacher shares insights and inspiring images of earth-friendly, child-friendly natural play and learning spaces from her own portfolio as well as images from a recent international study tour of cutting edge green schoolyards in Germany and Sweden. Participants will learn about how to create sustainable, engaging spaces that bring nature to the places where children are. The presenter has worked with dozens of public and private schools, EC programs and municipalities to create natural play and learning spaces. She has a well-developed design process that builds community by inviting the involvement of the community in both the design process and the implementation. This process, as well as before and after photos of several projects will be highlighted in this session. Discover essential elements of natural play and learning spaces and their importance for healthy development: natural climbing, digging and pretending places; outdoor art, literacy spaces; beautiful native and edible kid-friendly plants as well as playable stormwater management features.

Audience: Elementary School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Drones – A Great Tool for Science Conference 2

Presenter(s): Dr. Richard Groover

Description: The increased availability and quality of small drone aircraft can be a great tool for science research and public presentations. This presentation will demonstrate some of the uses, available operators, regulations, and other aspects of this technology. It will show video sequences and products to demonstrate the high quality of this form of environmental education presentation.

Audience: College, Community, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

9

WEDNESDAY | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Two (4 options) Teaching Soils to 3rd Graders Picnic Shelter off the Dining Hall

Presenter(s): Bonnie Tillotson

Description: In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn techniques to teach youth about: soil types. soil horizons, and soil percolation. Participants will be given the handouts, lesson plan, and many of the materials you will need to satisfy SOL 3.7: The student will investigate and understand the major components of soil, its origin, and importance to plants and animals including humans.

Audience: Elementary School, non-formal educators

WEDNESDAY | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Study Environmental Education Program in Bangladesh in Response to Global Climate Change and SDGs and ESD Presenter(s): Md. Maksudur Rahman Description: Education is the key to success of every initiative. Environmental Education (EE) is a part of formal education. Environmental Education builds up the attitude of people that can directly contribute to make long term coexistence between Human and Nature. Bangladesh has one of the highest population densities and lowest literacy rates countries in Asia. Literacy rate is approximately 71% (2015) but day by day it is increasing because of Government’s strict initiatives. Environmental Education is not satisfactory at all in Bangladesh. So considering the present situation of Environmental Education in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) has taken this initiative of providing Environmental Education (EE) with some specific aims such as to cultivate future environmental leaders, to conduct EE among the students, teachers and communities for reducing the conflict between development and environment, to engage people to protect environment so that people's’ unplanned and nature devastating activities may reduce. BEDS has been conducting Sundarbans Mangrove Biodiversity Education, Basic Environmental Education, Tree Plantation through theoretical and practical sessions among 200 primary and secondary schools of 36 sub-districts of 32 districts all over in Bangladesh since 2011. BEDS has also been working for increasing biodiversity and environment knowledge of Sundarbans coastal communities since 2010. Audience: Elementary School, High School, Community WEDNESDAY | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Conference 1 Social Emotional Reading Circles: Using School Gardens, Green Space, and Bibliotherapy to Grow the Whole Child Presenter(s): Debbie C. Sturm Description: According to Casel (2015), "Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and

10

show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions." Many of these skills and attitudes are illustrated in children's literature commonly used within the school library and the school counselor's office. In addition, social emotional learning and environmental education align and enhance each other in many ways. This presentation will highlight the relationship between social emotional learning, bibliotherapy (using children's literature to foster social and emotional growth), and environmental education/outdoor learning. In addition, we will share a proposed Social Emotional Reading Circle, including selected books, design plans, and ideas on how to collaborate with teachers, school counselors, and the local community. Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators WEDNESDAY | 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Conference 2 From Fear to Fascination: Developing Environmental Literacy through Scientific Inquiry and Artistic Expression Presenter(s): Lillian Ledford, Emily Ford, Candace Lutzow-Felling Description: Individuals often come to scientific or outdoor learning with a range of apprehensions (e.g. unfamiliarity with the topic, fear of organisms, concerns with navigating new settings). Blandy educators have found that by engaging scientific inquiry through artistic expression participants “forget” to be frightened while unknowingly honing skills of observation; anxiety is replaced by curiosity. Encouraging visual, linguistic, or even kinesthetic expression of observations also increases engagement across a diversity of participant backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities. In this session, we will explore techniques using art-supported, differentiated, hands-on, indoor OR outdoor scientific inquiry via a subject many are leery of: insects.

Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Conference 3 1 1/2-Hour Workshop Session Two Activities for the Anthropocene Presenter(s): Melissa Holmes Description: Scientists are now referring to our current geological age as “The Anthropocene” to emphasize the impact that humans have had on the land, seas, climate and wildlife over the past 200 years. In fact, as our species’ population has grown from barely a billion to over 7 billion since the Industrial Revolution, human settlements and natural resource use have changed the planet’s physical geography and ecosystems. Teaching about the Anthropocene integrates life sciences with world history and geography, making for interdisciplinary lessons rich in content, real-world data and problem-solving challenges. In this hands-on session, discover classroom activities and interactive online resources to help students explore different aspects of the Anthropocene including human population growth, climate change, changes in biodiversity and land use. The presented activities build knowledge and skills in life and social

11

sciences, while applying learning to authentic problems. Activity formats include data analysis and interpretation, modeling and group problem-solving. The presenter will also engage the group with new online, interactive media that combines social science platforms (mapping and historical timelines) with environmental themes. Participants will receive lesson plans and background readings in an electronic format matched to the SOLs. The presenter will provide guidance on using the resources with students of different learning styles in the classroom or environmental education center. Audience: Middle School

WEDNESDAY | 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Three (2 options) WEDNESDAY | 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Forest Kindergarten From Scratch Study Presenter(s): Jenni Heartway, Tammie Sarver Description: In the past few years, Forest Kindergartens have been gaining recognition and popularity in the United States. At Blue Mountain School, our goal is to provide young children with the opportunity to explore and engage with the outdoors and others. Following a play based, emergent learning approach, we strive to give our students a predictable rhythm that allows them to be comfortable and empowered, with enough flexibility to pursue individual interests. Based on the German model of Waldkindergartens, we include children ages 4-6, and spend the entire morning outdoors in all types of weather. As a new program in Southwest Virginia, we hope to share the successes and challenges of starting a Forest School from scratch. Participants will learn about the origins and history of Forest Kindergartens, as well as, routines and activities to share with students. We will also talk operating a program with a low budget, and how to source materials for activities. We look forward to sharing with others the joyful adventures we have outdoors! Audience: Elementary School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. RiverWise Schools: Learn, Act, Make a Difference! Conference 1 Presenter(s): Meredeth Dash (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay) and Teacher (TBD) Description: Come learn about how the RiverWise Schools program is making a difference with students in Richmond Public Schools! RiverWise Schools currently combines Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences with the installation of stormwater management practices at some middle schools in Richmond. In turn, these practices become outdoor classrooms that lend themselves to cross-curricular activities and provide real world knowledge of concepts tested in the Standards of Learning exams. Additionally, this program aims to achieve environmental literacy goals and outcomes set forth in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Meredeth will highlight her work during the 2016-17 school year at Binford, Lucille Brown and Martin Luther King Jr Middle Schools. She will discuss the work done to date, the successes and lessons learned, and the continued effort to create a Master Green Infrastructure Plan to reduce stormwater impacts at Binford Middle School.

12

Audience: Middle School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 1:15 – 4:15 p.m. Conference 4 3-Hour Workshop Session Two Inquiry and Scientific Discourse in Environmental Education Presenter(s): Dr. Joanna Garner, Melani Loney Description: Environmental education can be a fun experience, but how can you be sure that visitors and participants will leave the experience with a firm grasp of the information presented, or an improved perspective on what your setting means to them? This session will provide information about methods for incorporating inquiry and scientific discourse in environmental education through the use of Argument Driven Inquiry (ADI). This engaging, research based instructional strategy will provide environmental educators with a four step process for incorporating participant designed inquiry investigations with discourse-based analysis in the outdoor setting. You will learn how to create an environmental laboratory experience for participants as you immerse them in scientific reasoning. You will explore this and other ways to increase visitors’ engagement with the “big ideas” behind environmental education as it applies to your setting. You will leave with ways to promote participants’ environmental literacy and sense of belonging in natural environments. Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 1:15 – 2:45 p.m. Conference 3 1 1/2-Hour Workshop Session Three Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Presenter(s): Page Hutchinson and Barb Dunbar Description: Project Learning Tree and the University of Florida developed a secondary module to help educators in the Southeast teach about climate change impacts on forest ecosystems, the role of forests in sequestering carbon, and strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to changing climatic conditions. The module explores these concepts in 14 experiential activities by using research related to the goals of PINEMAP—a regional research, education, and extension program focused on southern pine management and climate change. Participants will receive the module. Audience: Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

13

WEDNESDAY | 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Four (4 options) Pollinator Gardening Picnic Shelter off Dining Hall Presenter(s): Megan Tierney Description: This presentation will show teachers how to assemble a 3D Metamorphosis Experience and have the class create a pollinator garden out of crafts to explore their relationship with flowers and the connection to AG/Food. Audience: Elementary School, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators WEDNESDAY | 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Exploring Nature on One Hand Study Presenter(s): Christen Miller Description: Questions can be powerful tools when you are working with groups to cultivate curiosity and discovery. When you pair them with practical observation they can enhance both formal and non-formal programs, and create skills that will last a lifetime. Through a combination of talks and hands-on learning this session will explore some ways that we can train both our brains to observe, question, discover, and wonder in a way that is simple and easy to remember. Audience: Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators WEDNESDAY | 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Getting Stormwater into the Classroom: Stream Crime Investigation Conference 1

Presenter(s): Danielle Wynne and Chris Mueller

Description: Communicating the importance of stormwater and watershed management to residents is vital to implementing an efficient Business Area. Program elements can be met easier and are more effective when the public understands the problems facing our waterways. Fairfax County Stormwater Management staff have been working on implementing this concept from the bottom up; that is, to work with the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) system and help create a community of student scientists that understand their role in keeping our streams and watershed healthy. Students and teachers benefit when professional subject matter experts partner with them in the classroom and out in the field to provide real world examples of how science is used to monitor the health of our environment. Staff have worked with teachers, students and curriculum writers to create a series of Fairfax County specific education and outreach tools such the Stormy the Raindrop education campaign, the Fairfax County Field Guide to Plants and Animals, MWEE field trips, Sewer Science and Stream Crime Investigation. The session will begin with a presentation of the challenges and rewards with working with a local school system, an overview of the various award winning education programs that SWM staff have created over the years and finally transition into an opportunity to run through the Stream Crime Investigation lab designed for high school students that emulates the county’s dry and wet weather monitoring and track down efforts but with a CSI twist!

Audience: Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

14

WEDNESDAY | 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Stun the Zooplankton: A Short Dive Into the Life-Aquatics Conference 2 Presenter(s): Melinda VanDevelder and Jim Disbrow Description: One of the basic concepts that all science students must understand is the process of questioning, creating a hypothesis, experimenting, analyzing data, creating conclusions, and questioning results. Teaching students about the natural world is a learning process that is best done first-hand in an outdoor environment; however, this is not always practical or possible. One alternative to outdoor learning is the use of live zooplankton in the classroom, which are easily obtained and readily cultured in a biology classroom’s fish tank. From an ecological perspective, zooplankton compose the low end of the food chain, fueling organisms up the trophic pyramid. A quick microscopic glance indicates that many of these organisms show a very sophisticated hierarchy of body systems, including a primitive circulatory, nervous, and digestive system. A range of behaviors can be observed in the zooplankton, such as foraging, territoriality, and stimulus-response. Additional studies can be used as a way to introduce the study of cells, tissues, and organ systems, as well as introducing taxonomic classification and differentiation (Haney et al., 2013). These laboratory analyses of zooplankton first involve “sedating” the zooplankton, as they move very quickly through a microscope field, making them difficult to see. Standard laboratory procedure recommends using water infused with specific levels of carbon dioxide (seltzer water, for example) to “stun” the zooplankton (Dhargalkar and Verlecar, 2004). The intended activity combines standard laboratory protocols with inquiry-based learning, as students use the recommended lab procedure as a control in their inquiry process. Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College, Community, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Five (4 options) Navigating the Network of Resources to Connect Children to Nature Library

Presenter: Melanie Kadlic Meren

Description: Many organizations now offer mountains of information and resources to help connect children to nature – lesson plans, toolkits, case studies, research, programs. It’s overwhelming to make sense of it all! It’s also hard to understand the differences across organizations, making it confusing to know where to even start looking for information. Those in the field of whole school sustainability, environmental education, and outdoor learning need a map to navigate the network of resources available. Melanie Meren is your guide! In her work over many years with national organizations focused on the movement to reconnect children with nature, Melanie has identified the network of groups in the field and how each contributes to this work. She will clarify each group’s unique contributions to help educators and advocates know where to go for information they need. Furthermore, Melanie is one of the architects of a brand new online resource hub that supports greening schoolyards, which she will explore in

15

this session. There will be time for Q&A and sharing from the audience.

Audience: Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Community, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Making MWEEs A Reality in Rural Schools Study

Presenter(s): Lowery Becker, Daria Christian

Description: Friends of the Rappahannock will share an overview of their tidal Rappahannock MWEE program. This program, funded by NOAA B-WET, serves six rural counties in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. FOR will highlight successes and unique aspects of this program. Presentation will include hands-on activities and innovative ideas to kick-start or re-energize your MWEE program! They will focus on attainable student action projects, maximizing partnerships and keeping the schools and communities engaged.

Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Non-formal Educators, Formal

Educators

WEDNESDAY | 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Connecting Your Schoolyard with the World Conference 1

Presenter(s): Tim Thomas, Meghan Markwell

Description: Formal and non-formal educators can collaborate to make familiar surroundings seem strange and enticing for learners at all levels. By comparing local habitats to natural phenomena in other parts of the world, learners can develop a deeper understanding of their own surroundings. Then, by becoming familiar with practices in other settings, learners can become better stewards of their home environment.

Participants in this session will first hear about work by Environmental Education students at JMU who developed grade-level lesson plans for an elementary school in Harrisonburg. These lessons connected the schoolyard with standardized content the students were learning in class. Then, the JMU students designed lessons at each grade level to connect a local natural occurrence to the same principle in an international location. By incorporating this international comparative perspective, students extend their understanding of local natural systems to develop a global awareness. Participants will also hear about pen pal exchanges between international classrooms in which students become experts about their local habitat. The session will also include hands-on design of scoring rubrics that can guide a student’s performance for collecting and presenting data, comparing disparate information, and planning

environmental projects.

Audience: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Community, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

16

WEDNESDAY | 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. Connecting Students with Environmental Chemistry Conference 2

Presenter(s): Patricia Kramolisch

Description: How will your life change when the bees are gone? Considering the impact of colony collapse disorder hooks students into the study of basic chemistry and life science concepts. Participants will get a hands-on experience with toxicity testing and lesson plans to bring this into your classroom. Data from sources in the United States and other countries brings a global context. Teachers may find connections to lead into your lessons on chromatography, nanoparticles, watershed, and citizen scientist opportunities. The Ann C. Powel Memorial Endowed Scholarship allowed me to spend the summer of 2016 conducting research with Dr. Tom Huff at the PEREC Instrumentation Facility on the Prince William Campus of George Mason University. This fabulous experience included assisting with the development of the QuECHERS method for analysis of neonicotinoids in bee pollen and chemical analysis of local water samples. The resources shared during this workshop include highlights of this research internship.

Audience: Middle School, High School, Formal Educators, Non-formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. Conference 3 1 1/2-Hour Workshop Session Four Challenges to Implementing EE Programs Presenter(s): Candace Lutzow-Felling, Emily Ford, Lillian Ledford (and other EE TBD) Description: Join fellow Environmental Educators as we discuss challenges common to our EE programs and brainstorm potential solutions. Our collective minds will certainly propose solutions better than we could develop on our own. We welcome experienced and recently initiated informal and formal educators to join this session. The more diversity we have for our discussion, the more meaningful will be our discussion and shared solution ideas. Some of the questions we will tackle during this session are: 1. How do we develop long-term program plans when school division personnel (from teachers to superintendents) are often in flux? 2. What are some strategies for developing meaningful partnerships with schools and school divisions? 3. How do we address the challenge of students arriving hungry to our environmental education sites? What do we do if students are not dressed appropriately for the weather conditions? 4. What are reasonable fees to charge for programs? What are various strategies used to keep our programs financially sustainable? Audience: K-12, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

17

WEDNESDAY | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. 45-Minute Concurrent Sessions Six (4 options) Application of Scout Program Resources for Environmental Education Library Presenter(s): Tammy Schwab Description: This presentation will describe the kinds of scout programs out there and the program resources they provide. We will look at using these program resources (badge books) to reach scout audiences but also their broader application to environmental education programming in general. We will look at resources from the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts recently introduced outdoor badges and the growing American Heritage Girls faith based program. Audience: Elementary School, Non-formal Educators WEDNESDAY | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m.

Water Resources and the Earth’s Critical Zone: Diving Below the Surface to Reach Far Across the Standards Study Presenter(s): Tara Poelzing & Dr. Katherine O'Neill Description: Humans depend upon Earth’s Critical Zone. Clean drinking water, food production, and the wood, fuel, and soil resources needed to sustain a growing population depend upon the complex interactions in this zone. To study these interactions and find solutions to land and water management challenges, an interdisciplinary approach that integrates components of the sciences, social science, and the humanities is required. In 2001 the U.S. National Research Council identified the integrated study of the Earth’s critical zone as one of the highest priority research areas in the Earth Sciences for the 21st century. This place-based session focuses on engaging students in critical thinking about our everyday resource use. Our lens into this discussion is the interaction between land management and access to safe, affordable, and usable water. Our tools include the interdisciplinary Critical Zone Observatory approach that can serve as a model for the school learning environment. Our approach will highlight sample activities that apply a critical zone perspective to water management in ways that are field-based, geographically and spatially-organized, reflect a long-term perspective, and address complex phenomena from a dynamic-systems perspective. WEDNESDAY | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Junior Master Gardeners: With or Without a Garden Conference 1 Presenter(s): Caitlin Verdu Description: Does your school have underutilized garden space? Do your students know where food comes from? Do youth in your area want to play in the dirt and look for bugs? Join us for an interactive workshop on the Junior Master Gardener program, based off the national curriculum and currently running in elementary schools around Arlington County. Regardless of whether or not you have outdoor space this curriculum offers activities to get K-5 youth engaged in garden education. We'll offer games, activities, and sample lesson plans to get your program up and running. Audience: Non-formal and Formal Elementary School Educators

18

WEDNESDAY | 3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Speaking Science - Do They Get It? Conference 2

Presenter(s): Sarah Crawford

Description: How do break down highly technical information for a general audience while

remaining true to the science? How do you pique interest in a field that isn’t trendy or lacks a cute and cuddly mascot? Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s Community Educators will share their tips and tricks on branding, the Elevator Speech, working with really smart people and making STEM sexy. Come prepared to share your own experiences and challenges.

Audience: College, Community, Non-formal Educators, Formal Educators

WEDNESDAY | 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Picnic Shelter off Dining Hall NoVA Outside Happy Hour

NoVA Outside, the regional team for Northern Virginia, is pleased to host an informal meet and greet session with wine and light refreshments. Please stop by to learn more about NoVA Outside’s programs and activities, meet our leadership team, and exchange ideas. We welcome those in our targeted areas of Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church, and Fairfax County as well as others who’d like to network.