Join us for the opening remarks of the 2024 Outdoor Learning Symposium from KAEE Executive Director, Ashley Hoffman and the principal of Northside Elementary, Scott Hundley.
Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →
To kick off our 2024 Outdoor Learning Symposium, Dr. Leah Bayens will invite us to reflect on how outdoor education plays a critical (and creaturely) role in an imperative lesson: how to make ourselves at home–that is, how to live well with and from a place.
Director, The Berry Center Farm and Forest Institute
Dr. Leah Bayens serves as director of The Farm and Forest Institute, one of four branches of The Berry Center that grew naturally from the work of Kentucky writer, farmer, and teacher Wendell Berry. Leah’s academic background includes an MA in 20th century American literature from Eastern Kentucky University and a PhD in 19th century American and environmental literature from the University of Kentuck... Read More →
If you have never witnessed the KY Department of Ag’s 44-foot long trailers, staff, and equipment in action, you’re in for a treat! These touring mobile centers include iPad interactive workstations and materials for students to conduct investigations related to agriculture and the environment. Learn how all their activities align with Kentucky's Education Standards and are perfect for grades K-5.
Want to take your students outside for learning, but not sure how to manage place, time, materials, and behavior expectations? In this session you will explore these topics and gain confidence in your abilities to provide outdoor learning opportunities on your school campus. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate in small groups to review appropriate guidelines for specific grade bands.
Vivian is a 30+ year public school veteran who taught (and now occasionally teaches) PreK-5 learners in a variety of settings: Self-contained classrooms, science for fourth graders, lead-teaching summer reading/writing/science camps, guest teaching science and engineering concepts... Read More →
Thursday May 30, 2024 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Art Room
Empower your students to work toward environmental changes close to home… right on campus! This session will explore how to get your school started and students engaged in the new Kentucky Green Schools program. From hands-on, real-world environmental investigations to forming a green team of change makers, this session will give you all the tools you need to jumpstart your school’s green program and provide you with resources to support you along the way. In this session we'll hear from student members of Green Teams about their experiences with the KY Green Schools Program.
Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →
If you have never witnessed the KY Department of Ag’s 44-foot long trailers, staff, and equipment in action, you’re in for a treat! These touring mobile centers include iPad interactive workstations and materials for students to conduct investigations related to agriculture and the environment. Learn how all their activities align with Kentucky's Education Standards and are perfect for grades K-5.
Want to take your students outside for learning, but not sure how to manage place, time, materials, and behavior expectations? In this session you will explore these topics and gain confidence in your abilities to provide outdoor learning opportunities on your school campus. Participants will have opportunities to collaborate in small groups to review appropriate guidelines for specific grade bands.
Vivian is a 30+ year public school veteran who taught (and now occasionally teaches) PreK-5 learners in a variety of settings: Self-contained classrooms, science for fourth graders, lead-teaching summer reading/writing/science camps, guest teaching science and engineering concepts... Read More →
Thursday May 30, 2024 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Art Room
Empower your students to work toward environmental changes close to home… right on campus! This session will explore how to get your school started and students engaged in the new KY Green Schools program. From hands-on, real-world environmental investigations to forming a green team of change makers, this session will give you all the tools you need to jumpstart your school’s green program and provide you with resources to support you along the way. We’ll also discuss ideas for identifying funding and no-cost ideas for greening your school.
Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →
If you have never witnessed the KY Department of Ag’s 44-foot long trailers, staff, and equipment in action, you’re in for a treat! These touring mobile centers include iPad interactive workstations and materials for students to conduct investigations related to agriculture and the environment. Learn how all their activities align with Kentucky's Education Standards and are perfect for grades K-5.
Discover together how nature connectedness builds positive emotions, attention capacity, and self-regulation among learners. Plan to spend time outside nature journaling and connecting with green space, while practicing nature-based mindful activities.
How can we integrate indoor and outdoor learning experiences with academic standards and place? Dive into the planning process, considerations, and implementation of indoor and outdoor environmental education here in Midway at Northside Elementary and Walter Bradley Park.
Rachel Patton is the Preschool Program Coordinator and an Environmental Educator at Bluegrass Greensource, primarily serving preschool and elementary classrooms in central Kentucky.
If you have never witnessed the KY Department of Ag’s 44-foot long trailers, staff, and equipment in action, you’re in for a treat! These touring mobile centers include iPad interactive workstations and materials for students to conduct investigations related to agriculture and the environment. Learn how all their activities align with Kentucky's Education Standards and are perfect for grades K-5.
How can we integrate indoor and outdoor learning experiences with academic standards and place? Dive into the planning process, considerations, and implementation of indoor and outdoor environmental education here in Midway at Northside Elementary and Walter Bradley Park.
Rachel Patton is the Preschool Program Coordinator and an Environmental Educator at Bluegrass Greensource, primarily serving preschool and elementary classrooms in central Kentucky.
In this session we compare data collected across the Southeast regarding environmental education in schools, and how those data apply to Kentucky. Over 600 schools responded to a recent survey, and we will share some of the results. There will be an opportunity for teachers and administrators to provide feedback regarding how KAEE can support schools in building more outdoor spaces and environmental education into their curriculum.
Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →
Brittany has been working with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2016. Prior to working with KAEE, she was a formal educator, teaching sixth-grade math and seventh-grade science. She holds a B.S. degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in math... Read More →
Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →
