2009 Conference: Environmental Education in the Green Economy
“How can we afford to do EE?
How can we NOT afford to do EE?"

The MEEA Annual conference was held on Friday, March 27, 2009, at the Chewonki Center for Environmental Education, Wiscasset, ME.

The MEEA Annual Conference offers a wide variety of workshops, exhibits and presentations. With new techniques, new perspectives and a renewed sense of connectedness, past participants have noted that they leave feeling excited and empowered.

This year’s conference included environmental strands designed to incorporate innovative and creative ways for providing affordable EE throughout Maine. Conference workshop strands include:

• Following and Building Affordable EE Paths
• Environmental Literacy for a Sustainable 21st Century
• Take It Outside! Getting Kids Out in Nature
• EE Best Practices: Engaging Activities Within and Without the Classroom

Follow this link to see the full list of workshops that were offered at the March Conference

Keynote: Rebecca Bell, Environmental Education Specialist, Maryland State Department of Education

Rebecca Bell obtained her B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Paleobotany from the University of Maryland. She taught middle school science and high school biology and earth sciences. After a time as State Gifted and Talented Education Facilitator, Becky moved back into Environmental Education. She led the team that developed the Maryland State Environmental Literacy Standards, serves on the state Children in Nature Committee and the Governor’s Climate Change Commission, and has recently been named as one of Maryland’s representatives to the National Women’s History Project “Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet.” She is proud have had her first glimpse of Maine from the ocean as a NOAA Teacher at Sea.

Registration Information:
Conference Fee includes all workshops & keynote, lunch & 1 year MEEA membership. (annual MEEA membership alone is $15).
Individual: $55 ($65 after 3/6)
Lead Presenter: $45 ($55 after 3/6)
Groups of 10 or more from one organization: $20 per person

Exhibit tables: $25
Exhibitors receive one table and one year MEEA Organizational membership ($50 value)

Limited scholarships are available. please request on registration form. Anyone is eligible for scholarships.

Teacher Substitute Scholarships:
This year, MEEA is encouraging teachers to attend by providing substitute scholarships. Teachers may request funds to help cover the costs of their substitute, as this is often prohibitive to attending an out-of-district function. Teacher Scholarship information requested in on-line registration form.

Schedule:
8:00 Registration opens, exhibit set up
8:30 - 12:30 Workshops, keynote
12:30 Lunch provided by Chewonki including local and organic food
1:30 - 4:00 MEEA annual meeting, workshops