Book a Professional Development Workshop!
Want to book a professional development workshop forΒ educators in your community? Then look no further! Here is a list of suggested workshops that are offered in the Columbia Basin. Some are offered free of charge, and some have a facilitator fee. We highly recommend you get in touch with us first to get theΒ ‘inside scoop’ before booking. Contact us atΒ info@cbeen.org.
Please note: We can assist by creating an online registration form and event poster. Please contact us at info@cbeen.org if you have any questions or would like more information.
Getting comfortable with outdoor learning (in all kinds of weather)
Outdoor Educator Dave Quinn will head outside with educators to explore some of the basic techniques and simple tools you can use to normalize outdoor, socially-distanced learning for your students, and will introduce basic activities and tools to make it easier and more effective for you as a teacher to teach outdoors safely and effectively in all kinds of weather.
Email Dave Quinn for more information.
Game of Groans: Winter is Coming! Tips and Tricks for All Classes to extend successful outdoor learning into the winter months.
Outdoor learning is still the best way to achieve social distancing, AND a whole host of other social, mental, and academic outcomes for your students, so don’t let winter curb your enthusiasm for outdoor learning. Outdoor Educator Dave Quinn will share some basic ideas, tips, and tools to help make winter outdoor learning a regular part of your class routine.
Email Dave Quinn for more information.
Big Ideas: A New Curriculum-based Framework for Age-appropriate Environmental and Climate Change Education
Outdoor Educator Dave Quinn will share a new set of Big Ideas, curriculum competencies, and content to help guide your Environmental and Climate Change Education approach, and explore a range of age-appropriate environmental and climate change education programs available in the Basin.
Email Dave Quinn for more information.
Get Outdoors: 2020 – WildBC
In the midst of COVID-19, there is no better time to take your learning outdoors! Outdoor learning supports physical distancing as well as mental and physical health of both educators and students. This engaging ‘Get Outdoors’ workshop will model how to undertake physically distanced activities in the Get Outdoors handbook to help support manageable and successful outdoor classroom experiences. All participants will receive a copy of the ‘Get Outdoors’ educator handbook!
Connecting Communities Outdoors Workshop – Treehouse Outdoor Education
The goal of the day is to share ideas and activities suitable for a range of ages, centered on getting your class outdoors more in the winter months. We will head out for a short snowshoe trip, during which we will explore some tips and tricks to successful winter outings, discuss community-based resources, and put into practice several activities suitable to a range of grades.
For more information:Β daveq@wildsight.ca
Cross Curricular Outdoor, Experiential Teaching and Learning Workshop – Kootenay-Columbia EEPSA Local Chapter
Increase your capacity as an environmental educator with current research, tried and tested activities and the opportunity to network with and learn from your colleagues. This professional development opportunity will focus on cross-curricular, outdoor, experiential teaching and learning.Β We will focus on cross-curricular links, STEAM projects, core competencies, career education and ADST. We will also discuss social, emotional and community building, and discover and hone lessons shaped with collaboration and team work in mind.
Contact:Β mstarzner@sd20.bc.ca
Coyote Mentoring: Exploring the Wonder of Nature-Based Education – Nature’s Tracks Forest Play
Coyote Mentoring is a powerful nature-based educational model that fosters a deep connection with the natural world. Focusing on play, story telling and nature crafts, Coyote Mentoring is an amazing way of getting both children and adults to learn…without knowing it. For more info contactΒ Dave Verhulst at ntforestplay@gmail.com.
Website:Β http://www.canmoreforestplay.com
Deeply Connecting with Nature –Β Nature’s Tracks Forest Play
Those who have a deep connection with nature have many attributes needed to thrive in our rapidly changing world: inner happiness, empathy and respect for nature, a commitment to helping others grow and a clear sense of personal vision. Inspiring children to develop these attributes can be achieved through the artful (and sometimes invisible) practice of “core routines.” In this workshop we’ll explore several proven learning habits (core routines) that, when practiced, help people develop a strong and lasting bond with the natural world. For more info contactΒ Dave Verhulst at ntforestplay@gmail.com.
Website:Β http://www.canmoreforestplay.com
Pre-Engagement Ethics: Building Capacity for Relationships with First Nations Communities and Indigenous Scholars
This workshop is focused upon supporting non-Indigenous individual and organizational capacity for successful engagement with Indigenous populations, in research and development initiatives. Content includes federal, provincial and local place based Indigenous Peoplesβ knowledges. Workshop facilitatorΒ Michele A Sam who is Ktunaxa and is a registered band member of ΚaqΜam, has earned degrees in Social Work, Indigenous Learning, and English, with an MSW focused upon βA Ktunaxa Perception of the Welfare of Their Childrenβ. She has over 25 years working with Indigenous populations across Canada, including her own band administration; has taught across the lifespan; and supports Indigenous Peoples self-development efforts across disciplines and sectors, and through research.
Contact:Β michele.sam@icloud.com
Introduction to Forest and Nature School – Forest School Canada
This is a two day workshop offered for interested educators and early childhood educators on the foundational pedagogy and practice of Forest and Nature School in Canada. Topics to be overviewed include risky play, play-based learning, emergent curriculum, place-based education, as well as planning and delivery of Forest School programs. Educators will leave with a broad understanding of Forest School practice in Canada, and how this could potentially relate to their future teaching methodologies and practice. For more information contactΒ Stephanie Smith at admin@childnature.ca.
Website: http://www.forestschoolcanada.ca
Introduction to Risky PlayΒ – Forest School Canada
This full day workshop covers the importance of risky play to childrenβs learning and development, with a focus on both theory as well as the practice of supporting children to intrinsically navigate risk in their lives. In this workshop we will define βrisky playβ, explore the benefits of children having freedom in their play, ending with tangible resources on how to support children in this, while fulfilling our duty of care as educators, parents, and/or care providers. For more information contactΒ Stephanie Smith at admin@childnature.ca.
Website: http://www.forestschoolcanada.ca
Youth Safe Outdoors Training Workshops
To maximize effective and efficient use of YouthSafe Outdoors resources, we offer hands-on opportunities increase commitment and capacity to use the YSO resources well, thus saving organizations countless hours in preparing for and administrating outings and helping ensure staff and families have peace of mind that activities are sufficiently safe.
A full-day workshop (6.5 hours) for educators directly involved in providing higher care activities to get them oriented to and trained in the use of the full resource including risk management planning exercises, case studies, and self-reliance instruction.
Teaching Green: Integrating Environmental Justice Issues Across the Curriculum
BC Teachers’s Federation
This workshop has five modules: Climate Justice, Food Security, Water Rights, Sustainable Resource Use, and Sustainable Transportation. Available for Kβ12 teachers. For more information and to book this information click here.
Where the Wild Things are in New Curriculum
WildBC
Exploring inquiry and experiential learning in the new curriculum, engaging students with wild places. This workshop includes connections to big ideas and competencies through place-based learning strategies. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Get Outdoors with the New Curriculum – WildBC
Explore the new curriculum outdoors with WildBC at this engaging 1-day workshop.Β Dig into activities, beginning with inquiry. Get immersed in experiences, exchange ideas and make connections to big ideas and curricular competencies. Discover new ways to integrate place-based learning and community connections to your practice. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Classrooms to Communities – WildBC
Join us for collaborative inquiry into place and competency based learning for the 21st century. Rich opportunities to explore ecological literacy and the change in educational culture in this collaborative full-day session offered with partners to support teachers in place-based environmental learning. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Get Outdoors Bootcamp – WildBC
Survival tactics for teaching outdoors! Discover easy ways to explore nature with your students: tips & tricks, barriers and solutions & fun, hands-on lessons to add to your outdoor survival kit. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Project Learning Tree (Early Childhood) – WildBC
Key topics include using the five senses, meeting neighbourhood trees, experiencing trees through the seasons. Workshop includes a guide and CD which has over 130 experiences engaging children ages three to six in outdoor play and explorations. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Β Project WET – WildBC
This workshop provides educators an opportunity to receive the Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide, try a variety of activities in the Project WET Activity Guide first hand, and learn about water as a vital shared resource. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Growing up WILD – WildBC
This workshop supports early childhood educators build on childrenβs sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills. For more info contact: Kerrie Mortin at Kerrie.Mortin@hctf.ca.
Website: http://hctfeducation.ca/workshops/
Stories of Connection – Nature’s Tracks Forest Play
When children are deeply connected with the natural world, they are more connected to themselves, they are happier and more hopeful. During this interactive workshop weβll share stories and experiences from the field and introduce some of the tools and techniques we integrate into Natureβs Tracks Forest Play programs that get kids learning (without knowing it) and deeply connected with the natural world. For more info contactΒ Dave Verhulst at ntforestplay@gmail.com.
Website:Β http://www.canmoreforestplay.com
Online Education Program Workshops
Green Learning Canada Foundation
GreenLearning.ca offers free professional development workshops for teachers on our various online education programs – at school board Professional Development days, Subject Association Conferences, and other venues.
How to Teach about Invasive Species – Invasive Species Councils of the Columbia Basin
This workshop will empower teachers with the knowledge, tools and resources to teach about invasive species both inside and outside of their classrooms.Β Β For more info contact the invasive species organization in your region:
Field Leader Certification
Outdoor Council of Canada
The Field Leader program offers outdoor leadership certification courses for entry level leaders. These courses, based on industry standards, provide a comprehensive introduction focused on the roles and responsibilities of the outdoor leader. New leaders begin by taking the Field Leader course in one or more of three activity areas: βHikingβ, βPaddlingβ or βEquineβ. These courses can be supplemented by additional modules that provide training for winter environments, overnight trips and navigation skills.
Interpreter Training Courses
Interpretive Guides Association
The Interpretive Guides Association offers a series of training courses and exams designed to provide guides with skills and knowledge to effectively communicate our unique local natural and cultural heritage to visitors. TheyΒ provide training focused on sharing the natural and cultural heritage for hiking guides, museum interpreters, bus tour guides, information centre staff, rafting guides, horse packing guides, scuba guides, mountain guides and anyone interested in learning more about the Rockies. TheyΒ also offer group management training for interpretive hiking guides.. For more info contact Tracey atΒ info@interpretiveguides.org.
Outdoor Play Space Assessment Tool
Learning professionals, consultants, and educators from across Canada are now being trained in using the Assessment Tool in Support of Creating Childrenβs Outdoor Play Environments with a Sense of Wonder. The tool, the first of its kind in Canada, examines 32 items grouped into seven domains: play zone, play environmental elements, physical movement and risk-taking, loose parts, experiential play, involving parents and families, and the role of early learning practitioners. For more info contact info@cbeen.org.
Stories of Connection – Nature’s Tracks Forest Play
When children are deeply connected with the natural world, they are more connected to themselves, they are happier and more hopeful. During this interactive workshop weβll share stories and experiences from the field and introduce some of the tools and techniques we integrate into Natureβs Tracks Forest Play programs that get kids learning (without knowing it) and deeply connected with the natural world. For more info contactΒ Dave Verhulst at ntforestplay@gmail.com.
Website:Β http://www.canmoreforestplay.com
Exploring Place-based Learning
This 3-5 hour workshop will help teachers deepen their understanding of place-based education (PBE), explore the connections between PBE and student inquiry, and develop their confidence and efficacy in using PBE with their students. In the day-long workshop teachers will have the opportunity to work on a plan for implementing PBE in their own practice.
Resources for Rethinking (R4R)Β
R4R offers bookable 40-minute webinars toΒ show teachers how to access and utilize our database of curriculum-matched teaching resources including lesson plans, childrenβs literature, videos and outdoor activities that integrate environmental, social and economic spheres through interdisciplinary and action-oriented learning.
Website:Β http://lsf-lst.ca/en/projects/teacher-resources/resources-for-rethinkings-r4r#webinar
Grant-writing for Environmental Education Β
This half or full-day workshop offers support for those looking for grant-funding for their environmental education projects and programs. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to identify the best grants for their initiatives, and develop a Case for Support that can be used to submit applications to these funders.
Contact: info@nonprofitbynature.com
