Outdoor Learning Conference 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

3:15pm MDT

Nature through our senses FILLING

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

This workshop will introduce “Nature Through Our Senses,” an innovative environmental stewardship program designed for young learners aged 4 to 10. Developed by the United Spirit Nature Network in partnership with the New Brunswick Indigenous Community College, this project aims to foster early engagement with climate change education through sensory-based learning. The program integrates traditional Indigenous knowledge with hands-on activities that use sight, sound, smell, and touch to help young children connect with nature and understand the impacts of environmental change. Participants will gain insights into the program’s curriculum, which includes interactive modules for educators and immersive nature-based experiences for students. By focusing on sensory engagement and place-based learning, “Nature Through Our Senses” encourages a lifelong appreciation for the environment, equipping educators with culturally inclusive tools to inspire the next generation of environment stewards

Speakers

Dr. Sama AlMaarofi

Unites Spirit Nature Network

"Dr. Sama AlMaarofi is a distinguished educator and environmental scientist with over 15 years of experience in academia and policy advisory roles. Her career is marked by a steadfast commitment to ecological assessment, wetland restoration, and the development of educational programs... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop, Environmental and Climate Education

11:00am MDT

Semer des graines: Le jardin scolaire pour entrer en relation avec le territoire /Planting seeds: school gardening as a way of connecting with the land LIMITED

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

Turtle

"Lorsque l’on travaille dans le jardin scolaire avec les élèves, les apprentissages vont bien au- delà des concepts à l’étude dans les programmes de sciences. Le jardinage scolaire nous permet de tisser des liens avec le territoire mais aussi avec notre communauté. Cet atelier présentera des pratiques gagnantes pour jardiner avec les élèves et abordera des notions liées à l’acquisition de la langue, au développement durable et à l’ouverture à la communauté.

By gardening with our students, whether this happens inside or outside, we create a more natural and experiential way to co-create knowledge where learning goes beyond the science curriculum. School gardening allows us to develop our relationship with the land and with our community. In this workshop, we will explore accessible ways to garden with our students and we will explore concepts linked to language acquisition, sustainable development and relationship with community."

Speakers

Julie McLean

École élémentaire et secondaire publique Rivière Rideau, Child and Nature Alliance of Canada

Julie is a teacher who is passionate about outdoor education in all its forms. She currently teaches outdoor sciences and is the coordinator of a forest and nature school program in a Franco-Ontarian school where she coaches and mentors other educators in implementing this type of... Read More →

CYNTHIA LAPIERRE

Conseil de la Nation Huronne-Wendat

"Cynthia Lapierre yiatsih. Franco-Ontarienne chia' Wendat endi'. Yänionnyen' iwayitiohkou'tenh. My name is Cynthia Lapierre. I am Franco-Ontarienne and Wendat. I am Bear Clan. I have called many Lands home. I was born and raised on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

2:00pm MDT

Il était une fois en Antarctique... LIMITED

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

Turtle

Il était une fois en Antarctique raconte l'histoire d'une expérience vécue par Carrie lors de son expédition en Antarctique. Cette narration démontre comment un récit de notre propre vécu peut enseigner des concepts d'adaptation, d'écosystèmes et de changements climatiques et engage les futures scientifiques dans nos salles de classe. Au cours de cette session, les participants apprendront comment développer les attitudes, compétences et connaissances requises auprès de leurs élèves de la maternelle à la 9e année afin qu'iels se mettent à la place des explorateurs de notre monde. En utilisant des ressources gratuites de National Geographic sur le cadre des explorateurs et des leçons axées sur le lieu créés par Carrie lors de ses derniers expéditions et voyages, les participants vont pouvoir appuyer les concepts scientifiques qu’iels enseignent en racontant leurs propres histoires, tout en encourageant les élèves à penser à leurs propres narrations scientifiques.

Speakers

Carrie Antoniazzi

Teacher, École les Aiglons

Carrie Antoniazzi is a teacher and lifelong learner. During her 20 years in education, she has been a teacher, district mentor, professional development specialist for a science center and a consultant. Carrie currently teaches science, careers, and design thinking to grade 7 to 9... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

3:15pm MDT

Principles for Transformative Learning With/In/For the More-Than-Human World: Ecologizing Professional Learning for In-Service Educators LIMITED

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

Turtle

This session considers how the design of in-service educators can support deep, meaningful, and transformative learning. It will introduce research that examines educators’ experiences in a program called Spring TIPS (Teaching Imagination in Place), exploring in practice and theory the principles of Relationality, Immersion, and Affect upon which this program was based (Judson & Datura, 2023). By introducing some principles that bring into focus what it means to learn with/in/and for the natural world and what may be required to ensure this learn supports unlearning and new learning, this session will offer practical insights to anyone seeking to support transformational learning in their own contexts.
Judson, G. & D. Datura, M. (2023). A walking curriculum: From “good ideas for walks” to transformative design for eco-social change. International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership, 19(2), 1-19.

Speakers

Dr. Gillian Judson

Assistant Professor, Simon Fraser University

Dr. Gillian Judson is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. She gratefully works on unceded traditional Indigenous territories, including those of the Semiahmoo, Katzie, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen Nations... Read More →

Beverley Bunker

Beverley Bunker is currently a Helping Teacher for French Immersion and Intensive French programs in Surrey, BC. She has over 15 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, Faculty Advisor for pre-service teachers, and teacher librarian with a focus on inquiry, language... Read More →

Kelsey Keller

Kelsey Keller is an educator, PhD student, momma to 3, bibliophile, and coffee enthusiast. When not in her grade 3/4/5 classroom or doing ‘homework,’ Kelsey can be found forest bathing, making messes, and jumping in with both feet. She is passionate about outdoor/environmental/place-based... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

9:45am MDT

Leaning into grief together LIMITED

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

Turtle

"Moving Through Ecological Grief Together: A Hands-and-Hearts-On Workshop

Ecological grief, is a defining emotional challenge of our time. This interactive workshop offers tools and practices to help individuals and communities navigate this grief, build resilience, and foster connection. Participants will explore the emotional impacts of ecological loss through group discussion, creative expression, and reflective exercises. Drawing on reconciliation frameworks, eco-grief research, and grief recovery practices, the session emphasizes transforming grief into purposeful action. The workshop includes creative expression, community-focused exercises, and actionable strategies for resilience and advocacy. Participants will leave with a practical toolkit to process grief, nurture connection, and create hope in the face of ecological challenges."

Speakers

Dr. Sarah Brown

Mount Royal University

Sarah Brown is an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University, a contract instructor at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and an active adventure guide and instructor. Her passion is connecting people with the natural world through education, play and... Read More →

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

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

Outdoor Learning Conference 2025