About the Event

The Outdoor Learning Day is a professional development opportunity to gather, share resources, and build skills - whether environmental and outdoor education is completely new for you or something you’ve been at for a long time. 

There will be experienced educators modeling lessons for a wide variety of grade levels and subject areas and time for debrief and discussion after each lesson. Attendees will be able to view outdoor learning infrastructure at the Maine Academy for Natural Sciences and participate in conversations about funding outdoor learning and getting started - from safety planning to behavior management. 

All are welcome! 6 contact hours. We are requesting a $25 per person fee to cover the cost of lunch and snacks. Scholarships to cover this fee as well as $50 travel stipends are available upon request. (We don't want the fee or travel costs to be a barrier to your attendance.)

Event Schedule:

9-9:30 Welcome/registration

9:30-11-Model Outdoor Learning Lessons topics to include:

• Garden-based lessons across the curriculum- (Elementary focus) 

• Outside the Lines:  Nature Journaling for Outdoor Learning - (High School focus)

• Watershed Science for Middle School

11-12 Lunch, networking 

12-1:30 Model Outdoor Learning Lessons topics to include:

• MEANS Tour of outdoor learning infrastructure- (High School focus)

• Teach ME Outside: Science and Math Outdoors - (Elementary School focus)

• Wabanaki Studies, Your Curriculum & the Natural World- (Middle School Focus)

1:30-1:45 Break

1:45-2:45 Three Options: Funding Outdoor Learning OR First Time Outside (for example: Safety/Permission slips/Location) OR Best Practices for Partnering with Teachers and Schools

2:45-3:00 Contact Hours/exit ticket

3:00-3:30 Option to stay and network