Outdoor Learning Conference 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

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11:00am MDT

Turtle Island Time LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

This interactive workshop is designed to immerse participants in the Okanagan Syilx teachings of the 13-moon calendar and provide insight into Indigenous perspectives on time in contrast to the colonial calendar. The session will stimulate thoughtful discussion, encourage hands-on exploration, and promote deep connection to the land.

Speakers

Michael Ross

Educator / ADHD Advocate / Film Maker, Central Okanagan Public Schools

As a settler born and raised in the Okanagan Syilx territory, Michael has been teaching outdoor and sustainability education in since 1998.From 2007-2017, he administered taking 120 grade 12 students to the Rockies for a week long expedition of self discovery.In 2018, he co-founded... Read More →

Coralee Miller

Coralee Miller is a member of Westbank First Nation and works as a Docent at the Sncewips Heritage Museum. Her main duties include booking and leading tours, both in the museum and out in the community core. Coralee’s favorite part of her job is storytelling and engaging the community... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
Snail

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Workshop

2:00pm MDT

Slowing Down: Connecting to Nature Right Where/Who You are LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

Snail

In our fast-paced world, outdoor education can often mirror society’s emphasis on personal achievement and destination-focused experiences. This workshop invites outdoor educators to explore the profound benefits of slowing down and deepening our connection with nearby nature. Through guided experiences, participants will learn practical strategies for helping students develop authentic, mindful connections with nature in their immediate surroundings. These practices support emotional regulation and foster lasting relationships with the natural world. We’ll continue by exploring the ultimate accessibility of nature: our own embodied experience. By dissolving the perceived boundary between self and nature, participants will discover how the connection found in natural settings can be accessed anywhere, transforming both their personal practice and their approach to outdoor education.

Speakers

Stephanie Aleksiuk

Thimbleberry Learning

Stephanie Aleksiuk is the founder of Thimbleberry Learning, an environmental education consultancy in Calgary. She holds an MA in Environmental Education from Royal Roads University, where her research involved finding ways to support teachers to take students outside for learning... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Snail

Health and Wellbeing Workshop

3:15pm MDT

Mastering the use of PHENOLOGY in your OUTDOOR classroom LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Snail

Literally meaning “the science or study of appearances”, participating in phenology in your classroom is a teaching technique worth incorporating into your outdoor learning practice. Whether you’re looking for ways to take your science curriculum outdoors, need ideas for climate change education, or want meaningful approaches to help students connect with the land, this technique is one for you and your students. Explore a plethora of ideas and resources and consider your own model to make this approach work for your teaching area. Additionally, we’ll explore creative approaches to recording your phenological observations in student nature journals.

Speakers

Andrea Barnes

Environmental Education Specialist, Alberta Parks - Kananaskis Country

Andrea is passionate about teaching and learning outdoors. She has been the Formal Education Specialist with Alberta Parks in Kananaskis Country for over 20 years where she has been developing, delivering, and evaluating field experiences for students and professional development... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Snail

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

Outdoor Learning Conference 2025