AB1 "Have an Energy Carnival with the NEED Project!"

Description: The National Energy Development Project (NEED) has been at the forefront of Energy Education since 1983 with a proclamation from then President Jimmy Carter to "encourage the wise use of energy and mold an energy literate society". For those of us in the field of interpretation and environmental education, this translates for the sake of environmental stewardship efforts. Today, the NEED project offers teachers a vast array of materials and curriculum ranging from the science of the forms of energy to renewable sources of energy. Our session will focus on the popular NEED lessons: Energy Carnival, Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Solar PV, Energy House and the Wonders of Wind. Participants will leave with classroom materials, new ideas and network contacts for renewable energy education in your state.
Presenter: Deborah Shiflett-Fitton, Cape Light Compact
Min/Max: 10/40
Audience: Elem, Middle, High School, Informal Ed, Administrators, General/mixed

AB2 Teaching Kids How to Think, Not What to Think

Description: 21st century schools need an effective model to teach creative thinking, problem solving, and decision-making. Few schools offer these skills although it is a standard or goal in almost every state. The Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) is an excellent vehicle to teach problem solving strategies across the curriculum while developing leadership skills.
Presenter: Nancy Wogman, Future Problem Solvers Program of CT, Inc.
Min/Max: 10/25
Audience: Elem, Middle, High School, Administrators

AB3 Taking Elementary Science Outdoors: Come Learn How FOSS and BSI Regularly Get Students Outside

Description: Learn about ground-breaking work being done at the Boston Schoolyard Initiative and FOSS that could enhance any science curriculum. Our focus will be on effective strategies and short (but powerful) lessons to engage children in science learning experiences in your own schoolyard. Dress for the outdoors!
Presenter: Erica Beck Spencer, Boston Schoolyard Initiative
Min/Max: 8/50
Audience: Elementary

AB4 Cultural Competence in Education: Skills for a Global Workforce

With an ever-increasingly diverse student population and the demonstrated need for a culturally competent workforce, educators must learn to adopt culturally responsive teaching strategies. Today's classrooms must re-examine both the content of what we teach and how we teach it in order to reach all students. This workshop will provide participants with key knowledge areas to better enable educators to work with diverse students and to prepare ALL students for a future of diversity.
Presenter: Dr. William A Howe Connecticut State Department of Education
Min/Max 20/40
Audience: All grade levels K-College, Administrators, General

AB5 Field Trip 6 Option: Geology Field Hike

Session B Saturday, 10:45-12:15 pm (1.5 Hours)

B1 Traditional Environmental Knowledge: The Pulse of Water

Description: Native civilizations regarded the "Pulse of Water" as the life force for the environment. Traditional Knowledge about water was taught to the Tribal youth so the Tribe would survive. Lineal scientists are now looking at Traditional Environmental Knowledge as supportive application in data collection of the pulse of water. "What is the Pulse of Water?"
Presenter: Scott Frazier, Project WET
Min/Max: Open
Audience: General Mix

B2 Advocate and Education, Where is the line?

Description: A discussion on environmental education and advocacy. What, if any, advocacy is appropriate within an environmental education program.
Presenter: Susan Cox, US Forest Service
Min/ Max: 7/20
Audience: General/Mixed

B3 How Big Are YOUR Feet? Measuring your ecological footprint

Description: How much of our world resources do you use? This lesson from www.ctenergyeducation.com bridges all subject areas and grades 4-16, and it's fun too! The unique paper calculator tool allows it to be used with many audiences to explore how we use world resources.
Presenter: Laurel Kohl, Institute for Sustainable Energy, ECSU
Min/Max: Open
Audience: Middle School, High School, College, Informal Ed.

B4 Providing Environmental and Regulatory Training to the 170 Town Wetland Agencies in Connecticut

Description: In Connecticut each town regulates its own wetlands and watercourses per state law. The DEP Wetlands Management Section trains the town inland wetlands agencies in the implementation of such law. We will discuss the comprehensive training provided since 1997, and the resulting statewide reduction of impacts to wetlands and watercourses.
Presenter: Carl Zimmerman and Darcy Winther, CT/ DEP Wetlands Management Section
Min/Max: Open
Audience: General

B5 Curriculum for a Crowded World

Description: Engage in some of the most popular activities Population Connection has created for the classroom and nature center that build an understanding of human ecology, while promoting environmental stewardship. Demonstrated activities include games, role-playing simulations and problem-solving challenges. Free CD-ROM of activities.
Presenter: Mark DeMoranville, University of Rhode Island
Min/Max: 15/40
Audience: General/Mixed

B6 Connections: How Things are Made and the Energy it Takes to Make Them!

Description: Children are a big part of our consumer population. It is my hope that by educating children from a young age how to be environmentally aware consumers, they will think about the materials and the energy it takes to make their food and toys. Through books, games, crafts and photographed field trips, this workshop will share a ten-week program used to educate 6-10 year olds about this concept.
Presenter: Colleen Kelley, Hitchcock Center for the Environment
Min/Max: 10/30
Audience: Pre-K/K, Elem, Middle, Informal Ed

Session C Saturday, 1:45-3:15 pm (1.5 Hours)

C1 Science Notebooks for Young Learners

Description: Come experience the value of science notebooks for kindergarteners. While taking into consideration the developmental levels of this age group, experience the craft of note booking as a kindergartener. Developing understanding and formative assessments are only two valuable resources of science notebooks and kindergarteners should not be left out.
Presenter: Andrea Andretta, Jefferson Science Magnet School
Min/Max: None
Audience: Pre-K/K

C2 Native Perspectives on Impacts of Environmental Change

Description: A Native's perspective on environmental decisions impacting indigenous cultures. Participate in an open discussion and program on the changes and challenges presented to native cultures relating to Alaska and future plans for oil, energy and conservation in perspective to past actions. Look at changes in hunting, fishing, income and culture connections from a Native's perspective.
Presenter: Edward Sarabia, CT/DEP Bureau of Indian Affairs
Min/Max 10/20
Audience: High School, College, Informal Ed, General/Mixed

C3 Project Wild: A Wildlife Program for Students

Description: Project Wild is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program with an emphasis on wildlife and management. It is based on the premise that young people and their educators have an important interest in the Earth and all of its living organisms. This workshop will introduce all educators to a series of hands-on activities, which can be utilized with children of all ages.
Presenter: Patrick DeSantis, MA Division of Fish & Wildlife
Min/Max: 10/25
Audience: Pre-K/K, Elem, Middle, High school, College

C4 On the Waterfront: Connecting the Local Environment and Science into Everyday Teaching

Description: The New England Aquarium's Institute provides teachers with the content knowledge and methodology to develop their skills of observation, inquiry and the ability to bring science into the classroom. Over 140 participants have shared their success stories of making science fun and engaging while also planting a seed of stewardship.
Presenter: Nicole Scola, New England Aquarium
Min/Max: 6/25
Audience: Elem, Middle, Informal Ed, Admin.

C5 Let's get young children outdoors!

Description: Outdoor education for young children is of primary importance. Social, cognitive, creative and physical development can all be enhanced through outdoor experiences. Come and learn how the Stamford Museum & Nature Center's preschool started in 1993 with six students and grew to one hundred fifteen students per school year currently. A visual presentation of a typical year will be presented.
Presenter: Ellen Reardon & Lisa Combs, Stamford Museum & Nature Center
Min/Max: 10/40
Audience: Pre-K/K

Session D Saturday, 3:30-5:00 pm (1.5 Hours)

D1 What is News?: How to Obtain Media Coverage

Description: An interactive, participatory workshop on obtaining media coverage led by an environmental public relations and marketing professional. Environmental and planning case histories will be featured. Demonstration of news pegs, feature stories, opportunities and story pitching. Story ideas and pitches will be developed by the group based on real challenges faced by participants.
Presenter: Marc Breslav, Breslav Public Relations & Marketing
Min/Max: 0/35
Audience: Informal Ed, Admin, General/Mixed

D2 Wachusett Watershed Education Project

Description: The Wachusett Watershed Education Project has been operating for 6 years in most of the elementary schools in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed. The unit is correlated to the Curriculum for the 4th Grade in science, math, history, social studies and language arts for the districts. After a series of in-school activities the unit culminates with a day-long field trip in the watershed.
Presenter: Jim Lafley & Tim Rayworth, MA Department of Conservation & Recreation Water Supply Protection
Min/Max: 10/25
Audience: Elem, Middle, Informal, Admin

D3 The MITS Model as a Solution: Partnerships to Promote Inquiry-Based Investigations of Water and Energy

Description: Participate in several investigations of water and energy issues developed during the 2009 MITS Summer Institutes. MITS offers Professional Development for K-8 educators promoting hands-on, minds-on, inquiry-based methods. Summer Institutes are unique 2 -week regional courses offered in partnership with over 45 museums, aquaria, and environmental education centers.
Presenter: Amy Hoffmaster, Museum Institute for Teaching Science (MITS, Inc)
Min/Max 7/30
Audience: Pre-K/K, Elem, Middle, Informal Ed, Admin, General/Mixed

D4 Climate Change in Long Island Sound - Closer and Sooner than You Think

Description: Climate change has been presented as events happening in the Arctic or Antarctic Oceans, but nearer-to- home estuaries are spectacularly diverse ecosystems where climate change is up close and personal. This workshop will review fisheries data presented to demonstrate the dynamic nature of our near-shore waters.
Presenters: Penny Howell, CT DEP - Marine Fisheries Division
Min/Max: Open
Audience: High School, College, Informal Ed, Admin, General/Mixed

Session CD Saturday, 1:45-3:45 pm (3 Hours)

CD1 Service-learning as a Teaching Strategy to Cultivate Effective Environmental Citizens

Description: Learn how to use service-learning as a teaching strategy to engage your students to identify and research environmental problems in their community, explore solutions, and implement projects. By building partnerships with community members working on local needs, students learn how to effect positive change.
Presenters: Barbara Fieor & Students & Teachers from Lisbon, CT - KIDS Consortium
Min/Max: 6/30
Audience: Elem, Middle, High School, General/Mixed

CD2 Classification and Identification of Animals of New England

Description: What's the difference between a crustacean and a mollusk? How do you tell a lizard from a salamander? Learn to classify animals to the levels of phyla and class in this hands-on workshop. After reviewing taxonomy basics, we will search outside for animals commonly found in school yards throughout New England.
Presenters: Sara Levine, Wheelock College
Min/Max: 6/20
Audience: Pre-K/K, Elem, Middle, High School, College, Informal Ed

CD3 Awakening the Latent Naturalists in a Modern Context

Description: - Interactive, fun, and life changing program ideas for youth and adult participants will be explored and experienced in this dynamic three hour workshop. We will integrate the latest in brain research with ancestral cultural tools to empower your programs.
Presenters: Michael Douglas, Maine Primitive Skills School
Min/Max: 12/60
Audience: General/Mixed