2023 EE Trends Forum Program​

EE Trends Forum on Monday, March 20th at the Kendeda Building on GA Tech Campus

REGISTER for the EE Trends Forum

LOCATION

Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
Georgia Tech
422 Ferst Street NW
​Atlanta, GA

Monday March 20 from 9:00 - 3:30

MORNING SESSIONS

Trees for Non-Tree People

Edward Morrow,  Edward the Arborist
​Trees do so much for our community. Unfortunately, there can be miseducation about the benefits of the urban forest. There are times when a tree must be removed, pruned, or just simply left alone. Learn simple methods to assess if a tree poses a risk to people or property, without becoming overwhelmed with fear. Educators will learn how to inventory, assess and analyze trees in the schoolyard or nature area with students. (Postponed to the Outdoor Classroom Symposium on November 7)

Cherokee Medicine Plants

Mark Warren, Author
The diverse flora of the Southeast once provided everything that was needed by the original inhabitants. This is why native people held in high esteem every plant of forest and field. Our modern day ignoring of these gifts is what separates us from a life of truly interacting with nature on an intimate level. And that loss has, no doubt, contributed to our careless handling of the land. The good news is that this trend can be reversed, one person at a time. This program covers plants that were used by the Cherokee for their common ailments, ranging from minor cuts, stings, head lice, and rashes to gall stones, dysentery, nausea, and skin cancer. Techniques for field preparations are included.
​

Robby Astrove, Park Ranger
Manager, Arabia Mountain NP ​

Jennifer Mclaurin,
​Park Naturalist​

EMBARC: DeKalb Co. Community Youth Forest

The mission of the Youth Farm is to cultivate and nurture a community hub for youth to grow food, engage in entrepreneurship and environmental stewardship, and sustain lasting skills that will enhance participants' lives and learn the value of the outdoor world. This session will outline the project's first and second phases, including design, resources, 2023 program goals, and phase one accomplishments. In addition, the presentation includes an overview of the Food Well Alliances Orchard Program, and the roles orchards play in community farms and gardens. 

Nature Journaling with Elementary Kids: Easy as A, B, C, D
Ann Catherine Cox, STEM Teacher at Carrollton Elementary School

How do you get kids ages 5 - 9 to use nature journals? This guided session will walk you through an actual nature journaling lesson used with elementary students at a Title 1 school. The session will conclude with a hands on journaling experience.

Planeteer Clubs: Engaging Youth in a Climate-Positive Future
Robin Okunowo, Program Coordinator for Captain Planet Foundation
By all estimates, we have a ten-year window to define the future of the planet. The Planeteer Alliance is approaching these ten years as a sprint, and we are running with young changemakers to accelerate the adoption of known solutions to climate change to create a climate-friendly future for all. The Planeteer Alliance is a global community of passionate young people transforming their impatience for change into action for the climate and planet. This free program of the Captain Planet Foundation provides young people with the community, training, resources, and support to implement climate action campaigns in their communities. (Experience Robin's presentation at the Climate Education Summit, March 21)

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Digging into Dead Stuff
Jerry Hightower, Environmental Education Coord, Chattahoochee NRA

​It’s more than just a rotten log. It is a complex interconnected array of organisms from multiple families; all utilizing the decomposing log as apartment, cafeteria, nursery, and more. Students will focus on the role of the FBI (fungi, bacteria, and invertebrates) in recycling nutrients back into the environment as they discover the hidden excitement on and within a decomposing log. 

Beginning by observing the log’s exterior and then carefully dissecting subsequent layers, students will observe, record, identify, and occasionally collect organisms. From carnivorous arthropods and fungi to herbivorous isopods and insects; students will be amazed at the fantastic investigations offered by this easy to obtain teaching aid. Students will use “kitchen drawer” dissecting tools, hand lens, journals, identification guides, microscopes, and collection containers. This activity is adjusted to various grade levels by the complexity of the investigations, the degree to which organisms are identified, the complexity of the processes discussed, and the vocabulary level.

'Just' Language in Environmental Education
Jonah McDonald, DeKalb Co. Park Naturalist, Mason Mill Park

​The language we use to describe the world around us plays a role in creating the framework we use to understand it. How do we apply a lens of identity, diversity, and justice to the language of environmental education? This workshop will present questions, stories, and case studies that will frame our discussion about language choices, inclusion, and scientific accuracy. Topics will include invasive species, indigenous knowledge, and the intersection of cultural and scientific inquiry.

22 Years of Earth Tomorrow
Brendon Barclay, Environmental Ed Mgr, National Wildlife Federation

Earth Tomorrow is an urban youth program focused on environmental education, stewardship, and leadership. Empowering our youth is the most pragmatic plan for sustainability in our field as environmental educators. Having their energy focused on the environmental issues of today yields good work and hones their skills to lead the efforts in the days to come

Decolonized Curriculum for Environmental Education
​Korri Ellis, Susatainability Coordinator, Paideia School

I am working hard at not only decolonizing my own education but also the practices that I use to teach about the environment in a more inclusive and just manner. Although I have been an environmental educator for over 20 years, in the last 7 years I have drastically changed how I practice my craft. I will share with you my journey including practices that I have abandoned in addition to resources and methods that I have adopted.

Woodland Wellness
Penny Hightower, Environmental Educator & Dahn Master

After light stretching, breathing, and stress release, we will do some slow walking through nature while focusing on each sense and widening our awareness. Animals live in the present moment, and so will we. You will feel how the healing energy of nature can change, calm, and help you and your students feel confident, more creative, and focused.

RECORDED SESSION 

Jaimie Matzko
​Biodiversity Specialist, DLIA 

Turn Your Schoolyard into a Biodiversity Study Plot

Recorded  Presentation:
​The Discover Life in America iScience program is part of our biodiversity education outreach. The program aims to increase awareness of and appreciation for the incredible biodiversity around us, as well as foster young people’s interest in STEM fields. This program uses the ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory) model, bringing ATBIs to schoolyards within the TVA iScience Program Area. Teachers of grades 5-8 are eligible. Students conduct ATBIs at their schools using iNaturalist, acting as citizen scientists and collecting real scientific data about their local biodiversity. https://dlia.org/iscience/

REGISTER for the EE Trends Forum