Outdoor Learning Conference 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

3:15pm MDT

Challenging Social Constructs through Outdoor Learning LIMITED

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

This workshop will provide teachers with a holistic framework to explore Outdoor Learning while challenging Social constructs. Sometimes when we engage in learning outside we approach it from a position of power and dominance, how can we de-centre ourselves and learn from and with the Land? What other dominant narratives can we explore? Sexuality and gender? Animism? This workshop will support teachers to build capacity and confidence to challenge these social constructs. This workshop is suitable for K-7 teachers

Speakers

Laura Jackman

Executive Member, Vice President of EEPSA, Network manager of CBEEN

"Laura was born and raised in the Kootenays and currently lives in Rossland, BC on the unceded tmxʷúlaʔxʷ and traditional territories of the Sinixt peoples. Lands and Waters that were also cared for by the Syilx, Secwépemc and Ktunaxa Peoples. She is a teacher in the Kootenay... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Butterfly

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop, Environmental and Climate Education

11:00am MDT

Teaching Climate Science and Salmon Education in the Outdoors LIMITED

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

Butterfly

In this interactive workshop, participants can expect to learn about the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), and how they partner with the local Tribes, other non-profit community-based organizations, and their Educational Service District to facilitate professional development opportunities for K-12 teachers. This workshop will showcase hands-on examples of outdoor STEM activities that focus on sustainable fishing of salmon in the marine environment while also incorporating Tribal fisheries, climate science, and human action. In this workshop, participants can expect to learn how partners have implemented a unique and progressive statewide climate initiative to provide culturally appropriate climate education and resources for K-12 educators. Additionally, participants will learn how collaborative models for professional development can lead to successful funding proposals, increased outreach, and more broadly reaching teachers and their students.

Speakers

Nathan Zabel

Education Manager, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

Nathan manages the development, coordination, and implementation of NSEA’s Students for Salmon and Camp Keystone education programs, providing outreach and recruitment, communication with teachers and families, as well as program supervision and oversight. He also supports teacher... Read More →

Grace Maxa

Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association

Grace coordinates the implementation of NSEA's Students for Salmon and Camp Keystone education programs. She spearheads the direct facilitation of both programs, connecting preschool and elementary aged youth to salmon and watershed education. She also supports NSEA's teacher training... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

2:00pm MDT

Charting the Future of Outdoor Learning: Emerging Trends and Transformative Practices LIMITED

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

Butterfly

Outdoor learning is evolving rapidly in response to global challenges like COVID, climate change, the growing emphasis on EDIAR, geopolitical shifts to the right, emerging technologies, and the growing mental health crises. How do we ensure it continues to meet societal needs while staying grounded in its foundational principles? In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore emerging trends, identify the future skills and knowledge outdoor educators will need, and discuss gaps in current pedagogical practices. Whether you are an educator, scholar, policymaker, or practitioner, your voice is essential in shaping the future of outdoor learning. Join this interactive workshop to engage in meaningful dialogue, contribute to impactful research, and leave equipped with new ideas and strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of outdoor learning. Join us to shape the conversation and co-create a vision for the future of outdoor learning. Your voice matters in this collaborative journey!

Speakers

Janet Dyment

Acadia University

Janet Dyment currently works as a faculty member in the Department of Community Development at Acadia University, in Nova Scotia. She’s also worked at the University of Tasmania, Lakehead University, and the University of Boston. Prior to her academic appointments, she worked for... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

3:15pm MDT

Indigenous and Land-Based Education at Akinomaagayegaamikoong: A Reciprocal Model for Public Education LIMITED

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

Butterfly

In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about ways of being in relationship to land through the model used at the Indigenous and land-based learning centre, Akinomaagayegaamikoong in our school district. Spending time on the land, participants will make connections to the lands, relationships with treaty partners and bringing Indigenous Knowledges into outdoor education practices in a culturally sensitive manner.

The facilitators will walk participants through a model adapted from First Nations and Métis Math Voices in collaboration with our treaty partners that guides Indigenous and land-based learning at Akinomaagayegaamikoong. The adapted model integrates the 5Rs, UNDRIP, treaty rights, culture, language and inquiry-based education into land-based learning. We will use the model to illustrate a best practice in creating programming that reflects and centres local Nations and Indigenous students, and is good for all.

Speakers

Jennifer Bailey

Upper Grand District School Board

Jennifer is a K-12 educator who has worked in the Upper Grand District School Board for the past 14 years. Prior to this, Jennifer taught Outdoor Education at Bark Lake Leadership Centre in Ontario, where she delivered a traditional Outdoor Education program, including leadership... Read More →

Jerica Fraser

Upper Grand District School Board

Jerica Fraser is a Rotinonhsión:ni (Kanien’kehá:ka) educator and the Indigenous Education Lead in the Upper Grand District School Board. Throughout her career, she has focused on anti-racism and anti-oppressive education not only in her classroom, but in the education system as... Read More →

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

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Workshop

9:45am MDT

Design Thinking for Environmental Education LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am MDT

Butterfly

Design thinking has garnered a lot of buzz in recent years, but how might it be applied to your teaching practice? Join facilitators from the Alberta Council for Environmental Education in exploring how to use the Design Thinking process to answer the question, “How might students explore environmental education?” Using the lens of Environmental Stewardship, this hands-on session will give teachers an understanding of the design thinking process and how to implement it in their classrooms. Work through a crash-course in the design thinking process and come away with an outline for integrating environmental education and sustainability approaches throughout your school year.

Speakers

Amy Thompson

Environmental Education and Engagement Coordinator, The Alberta Council for Environmental Education

As the Environmental Education and Engagement Coordinator for Southern Alberta, Amy joined ACEE with over a decade of non-profit and fieldwork experience. Amy holds an MEd (Interdisciplinary Education) and a BA and BSc. Amy enjoys creative pursuits outside of work, including nature... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am MDT
Butterfly

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

Outdoor Learning Conference 2025