MAEOE 2023 Conference: Full Schedule

9:00am EST

Living Local: Agriculture Education Training

The beginning of the workshop will provide attendees with an outline of the project that shows the connections between students, community, and farmers. During the remainder of the workshop, participants will complete the LL educator training and receive access to the Living Local curriculum. The curriculum contains lessons focused on watersheds, soil, BMP’s, and the food system. The educator training will include a walkthrough of the lessons and attendees will get to participate in some engaging hands-on activities, including soil testing and creating a community connection web. During the final portion of the workshop participants will learn about the project’s adaptiveness and successes from beginning to end, as well as the long-term sustainability plan for LL.

Speakers

Chandler Joiner

Maryland Coastal Bays Program

Liz Wist

Education Coordinator, Maryland Coastal Bays Program

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Cayman

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary

9:00am EST

What's Your Climate Story?

Climate change can affect us all differently but it is still the biggest threat to humanity on our planet. Share your climate story while learning ways you can elevate student voices and hope for the future through climate action.

Speakers

Ann Strozyk

Environmental Educator, Howard County Public School System

Ann manages systemic watershed and climate change education programs for secondary students and teachers. As an educator, she also develops outreach opportunities for students to advocate on behalf of their environment. She serves on the Environmental Sustainability Board and Bee... Read More →

Jessica Kohout

Youth Climate Institute Manager, Howard County Conservancy

Jessica Kohout began her role as the Youth Climate Institute Manager at the Howard County Conservancy in February, 2022. Prior to this, she taught high school Biology for 17 years in Howard County, MD. She was awarded the Howard County Green Apple Award in 2020 for her tireless efforts... Read More →

What is your Climate Story MAEOE pdf

YCI Chapter Interest Flyer pdf

YCI Framework & Climate Literacy (1 year) pdf

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 2

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

9:00am EST

PLT Facilitator Training

If you are a Project Learning Tree facilitator or would like to become one, this training is for you! During this workshop, you will explore PLT resources available for different grade levels and their correlation to the NGSS-aligned curriculum. This training will also include an overview of the GLOBE programming and ways it can be used to enrich PLT activities.

Speakers

Alisa Fried

Education Coordinator, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Mary Westlund

Program Director, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Dominica

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary

9:00am EST

Bioluminescent Fungi: Neon Signs of the Forest Floor

TBD

Speakers

Serenella Linares

Director of Adult Education, Audubon Naturalist Society

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Eleutherra

Natural History (NH)

Audience Adult, General Audience

9:00am EST

Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones! Loose Parts Play in Nature

Sticks, Stones, and Pinecones! Loose Parts Play in Nature
If you’ve ever watched children play, you’ve likely noticed children use various groups of things in creative, imaginative ways in what we call loose parts play. We will dive deep into its methodology and how to set up a rich and engaging environment. Plus, you will engage in hands-on experiences that highlight the many benefits it provides our youngest curious minds and connect them with nature every time.

Speakers

Lisa Poe

Early Childhood Educator, Little Bugs Nature Preschool

Heather Quinn

Owner/ Child Guide, Nature Learning Collective of MD

I am passionate about nature connection and sharing its importance with anyone who will listen! Haha. Seriously, nature-based early childhood education is my expertise and sharing that with other adults who work with children is where you will find me, either in the woods or in a... Read More →

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Barbados

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education

9:00am EST

The healthiest food at any scale: the gardens and farms of the future.

From small spaces like urban front yards or the edges of park, to large scale rural agriculture; come learn how to plant, grow and harvest spaces that not only densifies food quantity and quality, but also improves ecological outcomes. Come learn how to use biomimicry to create sustainable and resilient communities by mimicking the natural ecosystems that thrive without need of human interventions such as irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Speakers

Ben Friton

President & Founder / Lead Educator & Soil Ecologist, The Reed Center

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 3

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary, College and University, Adult, General Audience

9:00am EST

WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands: An Exploration of The Educator's Guide

WOW! is an acclaimed, comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum guide for educators of grade levels K-12 focusing on the three definitive wetland parameters: water, soil and plants. More than 50 fun and effective learning activities for both indoor and outdoor use are included in the 348 page guide. Come explore WOW! activities and see how you can include them in your curriculum.

Speakers

Sarah Haines

Professor, Biological Sciences, Towson University

Juliann Dupuis

Associate Dean and Associate Professor STEM Education, Notre Dame of Maryland University

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 5

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education, College and University, Elementary, Secondary

9:00am EST

Landscape Design for Nature Educators

Many nature educators know which plants support pollinators, birds and other wildlife, but most of us have created gardens that look too wild for many public spaces. Join landscape professionals to learn what makes plantings look landscaped instead of wild and how to design and maintain plantings that support healthy ecosystems and engage visitors throughout the year. We will explore how to work with landscape maintenance professionals, select plants, develop maintenance plans, and assist community members in creating native plant landscaping themselves.

Speakers

Antonia Bookbinder

Conservation Outreach Specialist Special Programs Division, M-NCPPC Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George's County

Friday February 3, 2023 9:00am - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 1

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience College and University, Adult, Secondary

12:15pm EST

Lunch

Friday February 3, 2023 12:15pm - 1:15pm EST
Atrium - 2nd Floor

Meals & Social Events

1:15pm EST

Elevating Students' Lived Experiences through Environmental Action Civics

In this session, Earth Force will share the Environmental Action Civics process for young people to engage in environmental decision-making and build the tools for environmental citizens. This workshop will highlight the key experiences and activities to facilitate student-led community-level change by elevating students' lived experiences and voice, in youth-adult partnership with local community members.

Speakers

Sarah Jennings

Program Manager, Earth Force

Welcome! I am looking forward to sharing with you about environmental action civics. As a prior educator, 10 years of formal and informal teaching, I now work with disticts and those who work with educators at environmental NGOs and universities to elevate their MWEE action projects... Read More →

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 5

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Secondary

1:15pm EST

Forest Therapy...on the Beach!

Let's do forest therapy...on the beach! Join certified Forest Therapy Guide Katie Guth for a mindful walk on the water's edge. Through a sensory awakening meditation and guided nature invitations, participants will be called to engage deeply with nature, tune into their senses, and become fully present.

This is a time to enjoy, engage, and simply be.

Limit of 20 participants. Come dressed for the weather and bring something to sit on.

Speakers

Katie Guth

Program Director, ThorpeWood

Farm-raised and barefoot, Katie is passionate about sharing her world of mud and sunshine with those who need it most. She is the program director at ThorpeWood and a certified forest therapy guide through The Forest Therapy School.

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Cayman

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary, Adult

1:15pm EST

The Facilitator's Guide: A Resource for Supporting MWEE PD

The Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) is a powerful tool and results in an oriented approach to environmental literacy programming. Supporting educators in learning about this approach with high-quality professional development is essential and the Facilitator’s Guide to MWEE training is a resource to help you do this. Join educators from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to learn about this Facilitator’s guide and get some hands-on experience using it!

Speakers

Shannon Sprague

NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

Bart Merrick

Education Coordinator, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

Bart Merrick has been an environmental educator for 25 years, working with teachers and students from Massachusetts to Virginia, promoting environmental literacy and fostering understanding, awareness and respect for the natural world. Upon receiving a Masters in Environmental Science... Read More →

Elise Trelegan

B-WET Program Coordinator, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

Elise Trelegan is the B-WET (Bay Watershed Education and Training) Program Coordinator for the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office. She coordinates a $2.7 million dollar grant program to support environmental literacy throughout the Chesapeake Bay region through both capacity building and... Read More →

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 2

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Adult, General Audience

1:15pm EST

It’s Time. How to implement food recovery, decontaminate recycling, compost and remove plastic film from you school and community

Students, teachers, community partners and legislators will update the status of efforts to reduce school waste and recover uneaten food from school cafeterias. Funding opportunities are becoming increasingly available. As awareness grows among students and teachers this program has spread like wildfire.

Speakers

Lunch out of landfills

Founder/owner, MeeGreen.org/ Bar-T Holdings

Lunch Out Of Landfills Waste diversion and food recovery in school cafeterias

John Meyer

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 3

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Elementary, Secondary, General Audience

1:15pm EST

Pollination Empowerment: Student Led Garden Design

Many pollination gardens are planned and designed by educators with students participating only in the planting. We will examine, practice, and discuss how to transform this into an entirely student led process where students lead ALL portions of the garden planning, plant selection, design, and planting. And we will design a garden! We also will share a suite of lessons developed to build students' knowledge and skills essential to designing and selecting plants for their gardens.

Speakers

Emily Ford

Lead Environmental Educator, UVA's Blandy Experimental Farm

Candace Lutzow-Felling

Director of Education, Blandy Experimental Farm/University of Virginia

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Dominica

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

1:15pm EST

Happenin' Herps & How to Teach About Them

Reptiles and amphibians (herps) are often overlooked but are important to our ecosystems and for our health. Learn about local Maryland herps while also engaging in activities to teach about adaptations, lifecycles, and more! All attendees will receive access to a resource folder with lesson plans and ideas.

Speakers

Kerry Wixted

State Agencies Coordinator, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Eleutherra

Natural History (NH)

Audience Elementary, General Audience

1:15pm EST

GuideNotes: Songs for Guiding, Teaching and Differentiation

A song for everything & everything in a song! Outdoor Educators know the power of songs & ditties in creating group culture. We will explore the why and how of Song as a tool to support transitions, daily rhythm, culture, mindset, identity and diverse/ neurodiverse minds through Kathryn Para's "GuideNotes." Participants receive tools and with interactive songs & ditties they can modify with audio links in-hand and online.

Speakers

Heather Quinn

Owner/ Child Guide, Nature Learning Collective of MD

Kathryn Para

Singer, Songwriter, Kathryn Para, Music for Learning and Life Frolic the Fox

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Barbados

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Adult, Early Childhood Education, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

1:15pm EST

Nature-Wise: Reading, Writing, Playing and Probing in the Outdoor Classroom

Caroline Brewer, a regionally-based literacy consultant, author of children’s books, and designer of professional development and training materials for educators has teamed up with MAEOE to inspire teachers and children in Maryland schools to increase the use of outdoor spaces through literacy learning, creative projects, including but not limited to reading, writing, speaking, artwork, and music, in connection to and as a supplement to Maryland state learning standards for each grade level.

Speakers

Nature-wise Storytime

Nature-wise storytime: Join Author Caroline Brewer in reading, rapping, and reciting some of the best books on the environment for children. In this interactive 30-minute session, you'll find some exciting tools for getting kids hooked on books -- and the natural world!

Friday February 3, 2023 1:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 4

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Elementary, Early Childhood Education

4:00pm EST

Exhibit Hall Sneak Peek!

Friday February 3, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm EST
Exhibit Hall

Meals & Social Events

5:15pm EST

First Timer’s Social and Networking

Friday February 3, 2023 5:15pm - 6:00pm EST
Schooners

Meals & Social Events

5:30pm EST

Happy Hour Hors d’oeuvres and Cash Bar

Friday February 3, 2023 5:30pm - 7:00pm EST
Palmetto Ballroom

Meals & Social Events

7:00pm EST

Conference Opening & Finton Award Opening Speaker Address

Friday February 3, 2023 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
Palmetto Ballroom

General Sessions

8:30pm EST

Exhibit Hall Open – Cash Bar and Dessert MAEOE Silent Auction Opens!

Friday February 3, 2023 8:30pm - 9:30pm EST
Exhibit Hall

Meals & Social Events

7:30am EST

Breakfast & Breakfast Meetings

Saturday February 4, 2023 7:30am - 8:30am EST
Exhibit Hall

Meals & Social Events

7:30am EST

Exhibit Hall Open

Saturday February 4, 2023 7:30am - 4:30pm EST
Exhibit Hall

Meals & Social Events

8:30am EST

Why trees need our help: An introduction to the field of Arboriculture and the many opportunities within

Speakers

Chris Riley

PHD; RESEARCH SCIENTIST - ENTOMOLOGY & ECOLOGY, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories (Mid-Atlantic) and Casey Trees

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Palmetto 1

Audience Adult, College and University, General Audience

8:30am EST

Dive into the Matrix...An Educator Resource for Teaching about Resources

Environmental and agricultural literacy go hand in hand and need incorporated into student learning. But how do we do this? There is already a resource that provides k-12 educators with relevant standards-based instructional resources. Come dive into the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix, create your own “MyBinder” to store applicable lessons, and engage in a hands-on experience with one of the lessons.

Speakers

Tonya Wible

Elementary Education Director, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Cayman

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

8:30am EST

Advancing Environmental Literacy (ELit) Application to the Higher Education Classroom through an Innovative Fellowship Model

Looking to support environmental literacy (ELit) application to the Higher Education classroom? If so, come engage with a grant-funded initiative to advance ELit in teacher preparation. The Higher Education Environmental Literacy (HEEL) fellowship's goal is to prepare future educators for the integration of ELit across grade levels and interdisciplinary classrooms throughout Maryland by advancing application from faculty. Attendees will engage in an ELit activity from the HEEL curriculum.

Speakers

Sarah Haines

Professor, Biological Sciences, Towson University

Chelsea McClure

Lecturer, Towson University

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Palmetto 5

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience College and University

8:30am EST

Stormwater Management Lesson Plans: Urban Water Quality Training for Primary and Secondary Schools

Receive a free US EPA lesson plans booklet that covers green roofs, rain barrels, rain gardens, rain garden plants, soils, permeable pavement and hydrology. Students learn to analyze schoolyards and implement water quality treatment projects. Each lesson lists related Maryland Environmental Literacy and Next Generation Science standards. Step-by-step procedures, study questions, worksheets, vocabulary lists, and activity resources accompany each lesson plan.

Speakers

Christopher EllisByoung-Suk Kweon

Professor and Director, University of Maryland

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Palmetto 4

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

8:30am EST

The Green Workforce, Environmental Education and MWEEs; Preparing Students for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Jobs

Supporting students in developing the skills and competencies essential to addressing the environmental issues through today’s and tomorrow’s jobs is essential. Join NOAA and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to explore the opportunities for environmental education programming to contextualize and connect to these skills and competencies and prepare students for their future career.

Speakers

Trystan Sill (she/her)

Resiliency Education Coord., MD DNR

A lifelong Chesapeake Bay watershed resident, currently living on ancestral Piscataway lands in Baltimore City, Trystan works with scientists, educators, and grant funders to create a resilient Maryland which includes ecosystems, communities, and individuals. Outside of DNR, she is... Read More →

Bart Merrick

Education Coordinator, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Palmetto 2

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Secondary

8:30am EST

Using Student Voices to Level up Actions on Climate Change

Take your students' climate action projects from mild to fuego! If you are interested in learning how to elevate your Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) with a climate focus, this is the session for you! Join Members of the Howard County Conservancy to learn more about how you can build hope within your students as they engage in climate action.

Speakers

Jessica Kohout

Youth Climate Institute Manager, Howard County Conservancy

Ann Strozyk

Environmental Educator, Howard County Public School System

Student Voice MAEOE (1 hour).pptx pdf

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Aruba

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

8:30am EST

Hands-on Environmental Studies in a World of 8 Billion

Discover hands-on activities on the delicate balance between people’s environmental footprints and the sustainability of habitats for humans and wildlife. The growth of human settlements has impacted our wild spaces and led to fragmented habitats, pollution and overharvesting. In this session, engage in role-playing simulations, games and group collaboration that explore human-environmental interactions, impacts on fragile ecosystems, as well as possible paths toward sustainability.

Speakers

Laura Short

Senior Education Associate, Non-profit

Laura is an Education Program Associate for Population Education (PopEd), a national non-profit program that supports teachers covering population and related environmental and social topics in the classroom, where she facilitates training workshops for K-12 educators throughout the... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Eleutherra

Natural History (NH)

Audience General Audience, Secondary

8:30am EST

What's the Buzz? Pollinator Conservation in Maryland State Parks

Learn how you can increase pollinator conservation at your location from Maryland State Parks' "Project Butterfly & Bumblebee"! During this session, you'll "tour" gardens, meadows and demonstration areas, learn about park related events for pollinators and try out a few hands-on activities that you can share with your students! MPS is committed to increasing pollinator habitat , educating the public, and supporting programs that highlight the important role pollinators play in our ecosystems.

Speakers

Melissa Boyle Acuti

Chief of Interpretation, Maryland Park Service

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 9:30am EST
Palmetto 3

Natural History (NH)

Audience General Audience

8:30am EST

Nature and Mental Health

As our climate crisis grows, feelings of anxiety, grief and hopelessness are on the rise. Yet we cannot expect a critical mass to stay engaged in climate solutions if these feelings result in despair. This workshop explores a psychological response to the crisis and shares practical strategies for building the emotional resilience and remaining hopeful.

Speakers

Heidi Schreiber-pan

Founder and Director, Center for Nature Informed Therapy

Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC is a successful psychotherapist, author, clinical director and sought-after nationwide speaker on topics of resilience, anxiety, neuroscience, and occupational burnout. As an affiliate and former faculty member of Loyola University, Maryland... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 10:45am EST
Dominica

Natural History (NH)

Audience Adult, College and University, Secondary, General Audience

8:30am EST

Using Observation to Engage and Ground

Developing a sense of place can help ground our investigations. Come to this session and practice several unique observation exercises that will prepare you to investigate where you stand and beyond. This session will take you outside to create a terrain model and heighten your senses through nature journaling. Come ready to Learn Outside!

Speakers

Kris Belessis

Education Program Manager, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:30am - 10:45am EST
Barbados

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

9:30am EST

Dive In for Sturgeon Discovery!

Join ShoreRivers to explore embedding a MWEE into elementary curriculum, complete with data collection, action project templates and best practices, and strategies for making a MWEE doable for your classroom, all through the lens of water quality and the endangered Atlantic sturgeon. Come for the mysterious, ancient fish that could be swimming in your local river; stay for the strategies that will bring real, local environmental issues home for your students!

Speakers

Suzanne Sullivan

Director of Education, ShoreRivers

Mairin Corasaniti

Education Program Manager, ShoreRivers

Talk to me about getting outside, youth voice, history, and anything sturgeon! Or your warm, caffeinated beverage of the day.

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:30am - 12:00pm EST
Eleutherra

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Elementary, General Audience

9:45am EST

Join the Conservation Nation Academy!

Do you teach students in Grades 5-8 and want to help us build a more diverse and inclusive community of wildlife champions? Learn how to join the Conservation Nation Academy, gain free access to unique ready-to-teach lessons featuring wildlife conservationists from traditionally underrepresented groups, and provide us with feedback as we build a community of educators who are passionate about providing students with relatable and inspiring role models in conservation.

Speakers

Diane Lill

Director of Education, Conservation Nation

Talk to me about becoming a Conservation Nation Academy educator! We are looking for both formal and non-formal educators to help us pilot some exciting new lessons for Grades 5-8 that introduce students to a diverse group of conservation champions. My colleague, Joanna, and I are... Read More →

Joanna Levi

Associate Director of People and Projects, Conservation Nation

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Palmetto 5

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Secondary

9:45am EST

YLACES Local Student Research Symposium (G)

Moderators

Elena Takaki

Director, Project Wild and YLACES Board Member, YLACES

Speakers

David Bydlowski

Science Consultant at Wayne RESA / Co-Investigator on NASA AREN Project, Wayne RESA / NASA AREN Project

The GLOBE Program; Water Quality Monitoring; Podcasting; K-12 Science Education; Using Sensors to Collect Data on the Environment

Eleanor M. Jaffee

External Evaluator, GLOBE U.S. Coordination Office, Insights Evaluation LLC

"We've invested a lot in this program. Is it working? How can we show our funders and the world what we're doing well? What can we do to better serve our participants and our community?" I help clients to answer these questions and make informed decisions through custom evaluation... Read More →

Tracy A. Ostrom

GLOBE Program Coordinator, Department of Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, University of California Berkeley

Dixon Butler

President, YLACES

Dr. Butler is a Ph.D. atmospheric scientist who has spent most of his career planning, managing, and overseeing Earth science research and satellite remote sensing and is today a consultant to NASA and others. During the 1980s, Butler led the planning of the Earth Observing System... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Palmetto 2

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience General Audience

9:45am EST

How to Grow a School Garden (E)

MCPS K teacher Erin Burrell is the 2022 recipient of the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation’s Excellence in Teaching About Agriculture Award and a 2022 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Winner. Within 5 years, Erin has been awarded over $25,000 in grants and awards. She would like to share her journey through photographs as a teacher that is now lovingly referred to as “Farmer Burrell.” She is partnering with MAEF to share their garden grants opportunities.

Speakers

Erin Burrell & Shannan Fratto

Kindergarten Teachers, Ashburton Elementary

Erin's session will feature fellow Ashburton kindergarten teacher and former English Language Development Teacher Shannan Fratto and Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation Middle School Education Director Victoria Stone. Shannan will lead a breakout session, and Victoria will... Read More →

Victoria Stone

Middle School Education Director, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Palmetto 3

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Elementary

9:45am EST

MD Green Schools

"Is your school or center working on an application to become a Maryland Green School or Green Center in 2023? Regardless of how far along you are in the process, consider attending the review session for an informal chat with application reviewers. Then learn what your school or center needs to do to receive this prestigious recognition. Bring your laptop and any documentation that you would like us to review. We will also use the new online application portal during this session.
"

Speakers

Mary Westlund

Program Director, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Alisa Fried

Education Coordinator, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Cayman

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience General Audience

9:45am EST

Collaborating Against Chloride: A High School MWEE Story

Join us on the journey from neighborhood stream study to district-wide implementation of a high school MWEE. Learn about the important roles of PD, planning, partners, and projects that allow students to put their learning into action. Participants will hear from teachers and students who have implemented a MWEE focused on the impact of road salt pollution and will have the opportunity to explore digital resources and partners that can help them write their own MWEE story.

Speakers

Jeff Chandler

GreenKids Director, Audubon Naturalist Society

Lee Derby

Supervisor; Pre-K-12 Environmental Literacy and Outdoor Education Programs, MCPS Office of Outdoor Environmental Education Programs

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Palmetto 1

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Secondary

9:45am EST

Harbor Scholars Field Trips: Urban Outdoor Experiences for Elementary Students

How do you give students an authentic, hands-on experience with the Bay in a highly developed urban environment? During Harbor Scholars field trips, Baltimore City 5th-grade students visit the Inner Harbor for an EcoTour and SciTech laboratory investigation to learn more about Baltimore’s place in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In this session, we’ll share how we use hands-on investigations, games, and other activities to get students excited about taking action to protect the Bay.

Speakers

Annemarie

Education and Outreach Specialist, Towson University Center for STEM Excellence

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Aruba

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Elementary

9:45am EST

Using Outdoor Settings to Teach Mathematics Concepts to Early Childhood Students: Where Do the Ants Go Marching?

Explore strategies for engaging early childhood students in mathematics experiences in an outdoor environment. This presentation will include innovative ideas for exploring mathematics concepts in outdoor learning spaces, techniques for engaging students across economic and cultural boundaries, and strategies for connecting literacy and mathematics standards with nature.

Speakers

Juliann Dupuis

Associate Dean and Associate Professor STEM Education, Notre Dame of Maryland University

Saturday February 4, 2023 9:45am - 10:45am EST
Palmetto 4

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education

11:00am EST

Come AGsplore Hands-On Lessons with Agriculture and Environmental Connections

AGsploration is a University of Maryland Extension 4-H national award winning, peer reviewed 24-lesson agricultural literacy curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants will receive a brief overview of the 24 lessons, learn how to download the free curriculum and AGsplore hands-on lesson with agriculture and environmental connections.

Speakers

Becky Ridgeway

April Hall

University of Maryland Extension 4-H

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 4

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Adult, College and University, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

11:00am EST

Cows and Clicks: Digital Resources for Agriculture Education

Curious about agriculture’s role in sustainability? Want students to understand their food comes from farms and not grocery stores? When learning about agriculture, nothing beats a visit to a working farm. Unfortunately, travel costs and logistics can put in-person farm visits out of reach.Curious about agriculture’s role in sustainability? Want students to understand their food comes from farms and not grocery stores? When learning about agriculture, nothing beats a visit to a working farm. Unfortunately, travel costs and logistics can put in-person farm visits out of reach.

This session will highlight digital resources allowing students and others to “visit” local dairy farms and learn about farm life, dairy food production, and practices used to protect natural resources.

Speakers

Ron Ohrel

Director, Environmental Outreach, American Dairy Association North East

Ron Ohrel is Director of Environmental Outreach with American Dairy Association North East. Having worked for environmental nonprofits, academia, consulting, the federal government, and now the dairy industry, he has extensive experience with environmental issues affecting the Mid-Atlantic... Read More →

ADANE Online Resources handout pdf

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 2

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Adult, College and University, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

11:00am EST

The Use of Agricultural Phenomena in Unpacking the NGSS

Using Agricultural phenomena, STEM teachers could also support students to understand where food comes from, who grows it, and agriculture's impact on our national security, environment, economy, and well-being. Culturally relevant Agro-based phenomena are intellectually accessible and thought-provoking, enabling students to make engaging connections between the STEM curricula and real-life scenarios. In this session, participants experience lessons in the same manner as students

Speakers

Chidi Duru

Science Teacher Coordinator, Crossland High School

Ayo Olufade

STEM Instructor, Goodwill Excel Charter Public School, Washington, DC

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Barbados

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Adult, College and University, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

11:00am EST

CanoEquity- Bringing Outdoor Science To All

This interactive session will walk participants through the evolution of the BCPS Outdoor Canoe Based Ecosystem Program for SOME to CanoEquity Programs for ALL. Participants will learn about the best practices we use to expand our programs beyond the canoe launch to reach to diverse learners including ELLs, and students in specific special education programs. The session will also include active reflection to encourage participants to incorporate these best practices into their own programs.

Speakers

Katie Dell

Resource Teacher Naturalist, Baltimore County Public Schools

I am an outdoor educator for Baltimore County Public Schools in Maryland. Working with students in K-12, I help tailor and implement the secondary canoe and stream study programs as well as the elementary BioBlitz program and StarLab. My academic research focuses on racial and gender... Read More →

Matt Budinger

Resource Teacher, Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Science

Joe Davis

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 1

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Secondary, General Audience

11:00am EST

Schools + Outdoors + Counseling = Increased Opportunity

Recognize the healing power of nature? How do we bring that to our schools? Learn how AACPS are working with schools to create spaces for socio-emotional wellness and engage school counselors in using these spaces for counseling. We will focus on how, what, & why– funding, partnerships, unique needs of a wellness space for counseling, working with school facilities and working with counselors. Envision what these spaces need to entail and participate in some of the outdoor counseling activities!

Speakers

Kristin Paddack

Counselor, Northeast Middle School, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Environmental Literacy & Outdoor Education Office

Coordinator Env. Literacy & Outdoor Ed, Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Trees are terrificHow to identify and care for native trees

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 5

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Elementary, Secondary, College and University

11:00am EST

Waste Diversion: More than cardboard boxes and compost

How does inclusion, environmental justice, science and the environment intertwine? Learn how school waste plays a role in greenhouse gases, food insecurity, and erosion. In this workshop we will discuss how to include waste in curriculum to focus on the develop of reduction and long-term social changes. Learn necessary tools to support your school making differences for the environment, education, and for the schools budget!

Speakers

Shannon McDonald

Waste Diversion Division, Maryland Department of the Environment

Christy

Maryland Department of Environment

MAEOE 022023 WDD CardboardCompost.pptx pdf

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Dominica

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Adult, College and University, Early Childhood Education, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

11:00am EST

Born to Bond: How Biophilia Explains Our Affinities to Nature, Opening Speaker Session

What are some of the most impactful ways we can facilitate children’s connections to nature? In
this workshop we will explore E.O. Wilson’s “Nine Biophilic Values” through art, music,
motion, games, building, and interpersonal exercises. You will hear, see, and replicate nature-
based activities that resonate most with young children in forest school, as well as examine your
own preferences and affinity for different aspects of the natural world. The goal of this workshop
is to provide the participant with practical insight and tools that can help them build a positive
foundation on which children can bond with the local natural environment. They will walk away
with new ideas and resources for strengthening the relationship between children and nature.

Speakers

Rose Brusaferro

Acting Director of the Nature Preschool at Nature Forward, Nature Forward

Dr. Rose Brusaferro is the Acting Director of the Nature Preschool at Nature Forward (formerlythe Audubon Naturalist Society). She has been studying and teaching environmental educationfor early childhood for more than a decade. Her first job as a nature birthday party leader taughther... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Cayman

Meals & Social Events

11:00am EST

Lightning Sessions (3- 20 minutes): Prevent Balloon Litter, We Are Not Speaking the Same Language, Speaking for the Trees: Highlighting Elementary School Tree Planting Projects

Could you save a turtle? Come learn about a new Teacher Kit designed by marine debris experts as part of a campaign aimed at reducing intentional balloon releases. Released balloons return to the surface where they become a deadly threat to wildlife. This free Teacher Kit includes a classroom conversation script, videos and information on balloon litter, pledges to prevent balloon litter, a lesson plan, and alternatives to balloon releases. Use the Teacher Kit and help save wildlife.

Speakers

Donna Morrow

Marine Debris Specialist, Deparatment of Natural resources

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Aruba

Natural History (NH)

Audience Elementary

11:00am EST

*NGSS and ELit - Our Environment in Our Hands

Aligning environmental programs to NGSS? Learn how Howard County Schools developed a NGSS-aligned 4th grade MWEE, that provides students with authentic outdoor experiences, apply 4th grade science concepts, and get introduced to some key 5th grade standards. The session highlights how the program is organized, how we utilize our Science Teacher Leaders, and how we recruit volunteers from partner organizations. Participants will also participate in a role play simulation from the program.

Speakers

Amy Reese

Coordinator, Howard County Public School System, Maryland

I am the Coordinator of all science, engineering, environmental literacy, and STEM programming for K-5 for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). I also support our Early Childhood Office with PreK science programs. As Coordinator, I was a lead member of our nominating committee... Read More →

Jennifer Brown-Whale

Saturday February 4, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Palmetto 3

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Elementary

12:00pm EST

Lunch/Keynote Speaker - Anna Rathmann

Anna Rathmann is the Executive Director of JGI USA. Her experience working with organizations in the international conservation community led her to her current role with the Institute as a natural next step in a career focused on bridging science, conservation, education, and storytelling. In striving to inspire change through initiatives that support restoration and protection efforts, Anna’s passion for working in tandem with sometimes unexpected partners across multiple industries has allowed her to facilitate ongoing dialogues and revenue streams for sustainable practices with local communities, scientists, educators, media, private industry, including tourism, and government partners all centered around positive conservation impacts.

Anna holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business in Washington, DC and is a graduate of Valparaiso University. She is honored to currently serve on three non-profit boards that promote ongoing learning through their unique and vital missions: Earth League International, OneNature Global, and Waterford Foundation. Each of these organizations approaches a different aspect of conservation in a unique way. The Waterford Foundation looks at historic preservation and the importance of maintaining open space, Earth League International combats wildlife crime, and OneNature Global examines the role of wildlife in wellbeing, happiness, and interconnection between humans, animals, and the planet. Anna believes one of the great things about conservation is its multifaceted nature and the many ways to engage with conservation at all levels of community and business.

Prior to joining JGI USA, Anna served as the inaugural Director of the Great Plains Conservation Foundation, where she implemented sustainable conservation initiatives in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. She also has a long history with the National Geographic Society, working in a range of development and program management roles focused on research, conservation, exploration, and education.
Anna grew up in Northern California and credits her childhood visits to National Parks with instilling an enduring sense of wonder and respect for the natural world. As a young person she spent many summers in the American West including serving as a seasonal Park Ranger in Yellowstone National Park. Anna has three children who inspire her daily with their curiosity and constantly motivate her to protect our amazing planet.

Speakers

Anna Rathmann

Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute

Saturday February 4, 2023 12:00pm - 1:50pm EST

Meals & Social Events

2:00pm EST

Community Meetings - DEIJA

The Community Meetings at the MAEOE Conference are a time where people with likeminded interests and passions can come together to talk about them- whether it be successes, challenges, or for those seeking advice.

Saturday February 4, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Eleutherra

Meals & Social Events

2:00pm EST

Community Meetings - Early Childhood EE

Saturday February 4, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Barbados

Meals & Social Events

2:00pm EST

Community Meetings - Outdoor Learning

Saturday February 4, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Cayman

Meals & Social Events

2:00pm EST

Community Meetings - Social and Emotional Community

Speakers

Clare Hardin

Katie Guth

Program Director, ThorpeWood

Saturday February 4, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Aruba

Meals & Social Events

2:00pm EST

Community Meetings - Young and Emerging Leaders

Saturday February 4, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Dominica

Meals & Social Events

3:15pm EST

Kids Growing with Grains

The Washington County 4-H Program presents Kids Growing with Grains, an elementary agricultural education program. 3,135 students have taken part in this program over eight years. The program is comprised of five lesson stations that are designed to educate youth about the importance of agriculture, the utilization of grains in the diets of people and livestock, how to identify food products made from grains, and how agricultural production and the environment work together.

Speakers

Ashley

4-H Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 2

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

3:15pm EST

Maryland Ag Edu Foundation LETS GRO with you!

Learn more about the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF), what we do and what we can do for you! From teacher awards, hands-on programming, grants, and more- let us help you GRO! Learn about our Mobile Science Labs (THINK: Field trip on wheels!), our lab in a box program, our ag literacy week and MUCH MORE!

Speakers

Victoria Stone

Middle School Education Director, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

Tonya Wible

Elementary Education Director, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Barbados

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

3:15pm EST

Learn Green, Live Green, Be Green, Love the Rainbow

How *does* one bring up sexuality, gender, and identity with students in a safe way and connect it to EE?! Join fellow queer educators and allies for a session that will help navigate LGBTQ+ terms, inclusive practices, appropriate representation, and creating safe spaces. This will be an environment for “uncomfortable questions”, a collaborative space to share wins and ideas and make stronger connections to how these topics apply to environmental education and beyond.

Speakers

Trystan Sill (she/her)

Resiliency Education Coord., MD DNR

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 5

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Adult, College and University, Early Childhood Education, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

3:15pm EST

Shoots & Roots, Jane Goodall Institute

Come learn about Roots & Shoots, the youth action program of the Jane Goodall Institute. Membership is free and we offer a wide range of resources, learning opportunities, small grants to support service projects, and a network of people taking action around the world, including Dr. Goodall herself!

Speakers

Jane Goodall Institue

Senior Director, Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute

We are a global community conservation organization that advances the vision and work of Dr. Jane Goodall. By protecting chimpanzees and inspiring people to conserve the natural world we all share, we improve the lives of people, animals and the environment. Everything is connected—everyone... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 3

Meals & Social Events

3:15pm EST

Things that Go “Ribbit” in the Night: Amphibian Call Identification

Participants will learn the importance of amphibians as indicators of environmental quality. and how to identify the Maryland frogs and toads based on their mating calls. This will include “ears on” activities listening to recorded calls. Guidelines and recommendations to successful frog listening in the field will be included. Several citizen scientist websites will be described to encourage sharing and finding observations.

Speakers

Jeff Campbell

Frog Whisperer, Environmental Informatics

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Dominica

Natural History (NH)

Audience General Audience

3:15pm EST

Ditch the Plan: Let it Go & Let Them Learn

Adult-driven lessons and programs can kill children's curiosity. Learn to embrace their innate ability to learn through (mostly) unrestricted free play, and you can spark a lifetime of joy, wonder, and appreciation for their natural world. A 20-year veteran in teaching, curriculum development, and building and managing award-winning nature centers and environmental programs explores with you
how it's done. Hint: adaptability is key.

Speakers

James Frank

Executive Director, Lure of the Wild Nature Camps

Bent on big ideas and breaking boundaries, "Ranger James" recently returned to his Maryland roots re-energized from 12 years of developing nature centers and award-winning outreach programs for a multi-county public park system in California. Before that, his energy was the driving... Read More →

Madeline Bartley

Lead Counselor, Lure of the Wild Nature Camps

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 4

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary

3:15pm EST

Saturdays in the Children’s Garden: Lessons from the Field

Gardens are natural learning platforms for children. From turnips, to pole beans, to a sea of basil, and beautiful native pollinator plants learn how the Robinson Nature Center created a vibrant preschool garden program that engages all the senses, introduces key ecological concepts and supports skill development. Presenter will share the challenges, successes and lessons learned in this interactive session.

Speakers

Kelly P Vogelpohl

Early Childhood Programs Coordinator, Robinson Nature Center, Howard County Recreation and Parks

Lisa Young

Master Naturalist Volunteer, Robinson Nature Center

Mary

Robinson Nature Center

Saturdays in the Childrens Garden Presentation Final 01312023 pdf

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Palmetto 1

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education

3:15pm EST

Teaching about Climate Change Through Games (S, G)

Want to teach about climate changes in a fun and easy way? Join us for an active session that will engage you in activities that help teach those complicated topics of climate change to secondary students. You won’t be sitting down in this session!!!

Speakers

Edward

Teacher Specialist, Arlington Echo

Jasmine Trumbull

Environmental Literacy Assistant, Arlington Echo

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Eleutherra

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Secondary, General Audience

3:15pm EST

The Power of Connection: Discovering the Effects of Formal and Nonformal Environmental Education on Students’ Connectedness to Nature

Come learn about how research is paving the way to determine how formal and non-formal environmental education impacts students' feelings of connectedness to nature. This cutting-edge inquiry explores the impact that emotional connection, developed during an environmental education experience, has on elementary and middle school age students’ environmentally responsible behavior.

Speakers

Dylan Burgevin

Graduate Student, Towson University

I am currently pursuing a master's degree in environmental science from Towson University. My research involves measuring the impact of environmental education on students. I have surveyed over 6000 students and will be presenting my preliminary findings at the conference. Please... Read More →

Sarah Haines

Professor, Biological Sciences, Towson University

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 4:15pm EST
Cayman

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Adult, College and University, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

3:15pm EST

Restore an Island: Using NGSS to Create Hands-on Interactive Programing

Having trouble finding and understanding Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)? Look no further! This session is a crash course on the three-dimensional learning that comprises NGSS standards and will introduce an aligned lesson from the award winning Port of Baltimore Education online portal. “Restore an Island”, is a hands-on STEAM activity about the history of Poplar Island, and how engineers are restoring the island to ensure it does not erode into the bay once more.

Speakers

Kristina Motley

Senior Environmental Specialist, Maryland Environmental Service, Port of Baltimore Education Team

Saturday February 4, 2023 3:15pm - 5:30pm EST
Aruba

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Elementary, Secondary, Early Childhood Education

4:15pm EST

Silent Auction

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:15pm - 5:15pm EST
TBA

Meals & Social Events

4:30pm EST

Curbing Our Carbon Appetite: An Ag Innovators Experience Addressing Climate Change Among Youth Audiences

Curbing Our Carbon Appetite is the 2021 National 4-H Ag Innovators Experience that was developed by University of Maryland Extension 4-H. It is a hands-on curriculum that focuses on youth climate change education. The presenters will give a curriculum overview and demonstrate construction/data collection for three atmospheric models. Participants will complete a carbon-friendly lunch challenge and a carbon-friendly actions activity plus explore take-home activities.

Speakers

Thomas

4-H Youth Development Educator, University of Maryland Extension

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Palmetto 1

Agriculture Education (AE)

Audience Adult, College and University, Elementary, General Audience, Secondary

4:30pm EST

The Mindfulness of Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable in the Great Outdoors

When is the last time you were on a field trip with your students? How engaged were you with your students? Were you taking a break from teaching since you had a naturalist/environmental educator leading the program? Or maybe you were leading and/or engaged until Susy picked up a muddy wet oyster or a slimy frog and you said something like "Put that down! That's wet/dirty!" When your student dropped the critter they also dropped their sense of wonder and a mentor to share that excitement with! Learn the "dos and don'ts" of getting outside your comfort zone and projecting your new confidence on to your students! This session pairs with James Frank’s session in the previous block titled “Ditch the Plan”. Go to his - then come to mine! NOTE: participants in this workshop will be asked to bring a towel, feet and legs (more with challenge by choice) that they may choose to get wet, cold and sandy for a true comfortable/uncomfortable challenge at the end of the session. That is all :)

Speakers

Bryan Kent Gomes

Education Coordinator, ClearShark H2O

I have almost two decades of environmental education, water sports pursuits, public outreach and team building experience in the books. I have a B.A. in Marketing/Psychology and a MEd. in Post-Secondary Education from Salisbury University. BKG is passionate about the outdoors. I thru-hiked... Read More →

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Barbados

Capacity Building and Expanding Programming (CB)

Audience Elementary, Secondary

4:30pm EST

Engaging Green Teams

MAEOE is an esteemed non-profit organization who aims to educate, encourage, and empower the community to responsibly care and promote our natural environment. To ensure that we are as impactful as possible, we have partnered with high schools throughout Maryland to establish a student council in which we discuss and learn about environmental justice and maintaining a green environment within our communities. During our gatherings, students engage in conversations about environmental justice and discuss practical ways to resolve them. They are also equipped with tools and resources relevant to their age group and social preferences to enhance their understanding and connect with their local community. In the long run, we hope to fuel students with information that will propel them into environmental careers that are sustainable for our environment.

Speakers

Mary Westlund

Program Director, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Palmetto 5

Greening Maryland Schools (GS)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary

4:30pm EST

Alien Invaders: Identifying Invasive Plants

We've all seen them - trees laden with a single type of vine, fields of monoculture grass, and plants we used to love getting crowded out. In this session, the Alice Ferguson Foundation will introduce you to invasive species, why they are a problem, and some of the things we can do about them. Using a key and plant specimens, learn how to identify some of the more common invasive plants in Maryland (yes, we know it's winter!).

Speakers

The Alice Ferguson Foundation/Hard Bargain Farm

Program Manager, Alice Ferguson Foundation

Gabriela Zabel

Education Specialist, Alice Ferguson Foundation

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Palmetto 4

Natural History (NH)

Audience General Audience

4:30pm EST

Exploring the Environment through Theatre

“Eco-Theater is a holistic approach to theater-making that centers climate and environmental justice.” – Superhero Clubhouse. Are you looking for innovative methods of teaching ecology, climate change, and science as a whole? Attend this session to learn about the parallels between theater and science, and how the combination can be incorporated into your teaching practices. Become the student by trying your hand at creating eco-theater while discussing these methods with others in your field.

Speakers

Maryland Environmental Service

Environmental Specialist, Maryland Environmental Service

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Palmetto 2

Natural History (NH)

Audience Adult, College and University, Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary, General Audience

4:30pm EST

Nocturnal Adventures

Listen to the animals! Look to the stars! Nocturnal Adventures is a two-part evening program that's designed for upper elementary (3-5th grade). We'll dive right in and present the program to you. Explore an evening in Western Maryland firsthand! We'll talk about constellations and the stories behind them, as well as nocturnal animals and the sounds they make! After you've seen the program, we'll discuss adaptions that you can make. Then we'll finish the presentation with questions!

Speakers

Heather

Director of Education, Evergreen Heritage Center

Lacey Day

AmeriCorps member, Evergreen Heritage Center

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Eleutherra

Natural History (NH)

Audience General Audience

4:30pm EST

Using owl pellets to increase engagement and teach trophic levels and the 10% rule at any grade.

Speakers

Robert Lamarr

Teacher, HCPS

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Palmetto 3

Natural History (NH)

Audience Elementary, Secondary, College and University, Adult

4:30pm EST

Curriculum embedded Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience

NGSS, MWEE, E.Lit, want to see an example of how to weave them all in? Join educators from Wicomico County Public Schools to see what they learned from their MWEE experience. There will be a third presenter Hemalatha Bhaskaran

Speakers

Jamie

Science teacher, James M. Bennett High

Carrie Bell

Science Teacher, JAMES M. BENNETT HIGH SCHOOL

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Dominica

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Adult, Secondary

4:30pm EST

Massive, Mindful, and Memorable: Outdoor Adventures in Math

This workshop is designed for anyone who is interested in answering the question, “Are you really going outside in this weather for math?” If yes, we want you at this workshop. Explore opportunities for creative math learning in natural settings. Join us as we explore connections to math through STEAM related activities. Included are make and take math resources, lesson plans and more! Engage your colleagues and share YOUR great ideas too!

Speakers

Lynann

Pre-K/Kindergarten Outdoor Educator, Indian Creek School.org

Alexandra Walls

Student of Environmental Education and Interpretation, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Saturday February 4, 2023 4:30pm - 5:30pm EST
Cayman

Tips and Tricks from the Field (TTF)

Audience Early Childhood Education, Elementary, General Audience

5:15pm EST

Pick-up & Pay for Silent Auction Items & Dinner – On your Own in Ocean City!

Saturday February 4, 2023 5:15pm - 6:00pm EST
Exhibit Hall

Meals & Social Events

8:00pm EST

Conference Social - "CAMP MAEOE 2023"

Saturday February 4, 2023 8:00pm - Sunday February 5, 2023 12:00am EST
Palmetto Ballroom

Meals & Social Events

7:45am EST

Ducks and Donuts

Limited Capacity filling up

Join leader Mike Callahan of Naturally & Historically Yours, LLC for a Worcester County doughnut tour followed by a waterfowl identification walk around Heron Park in Berlin, MD,

We will visit three mom & pop shops and hear the story of each one from the owner or manager, and try up to two doughnuts from each shop. Coffee will be available along the way, so bring your reusable coffee mug.

Meet in the lobby of the Princess Royale at 7:45 AM and head out for the first shop shortly after.

Dress for the weather, bring binoculars, bird field guide or bird guide phone app, reusable coffee mug, and an appetite for doughnuts.

Leader’s phone number (240) 765-5192

Additional Fee

MUST REGISTER IN CVENT FOR THIS SESSION - https://cvent.me/NNQ72Y

Speakers

Mike Callahan

Environmental Educator, Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center/Charles County Public Schools

I am a avid birdwatcher and enjoy talking about birds, especially raptors. Sharing nature with all ages as a passion of mine. I enjoy giving back what my 3rd grade teacher gave to me when she encouraged my interest in nature and the outdoors.

Sunday February 5, 2023 7:45am - 1:00pm EST

Optional Experiences

8:00am EST

Local Ocean City Birding Trip with State Youth Birding Leaders

Participants will be birding with Maryland youth birding leaders. The youth birders will help all participants find local wintering birds, including waterfowl, ocean birds, raptors, and songbirds. No birding experience is required, spotting scopes will be available for all to use, and binoculars can be loaned to any participants.

Note: The trip will be led by Maryland youth birders, supervised by myself. A birding trip led by youth might seem unusual, but these talented students regularly lead trips for adult groups around Maryland, Delaware, and DC. Multiple leaders allow the trip to focus on birders of varying abilities, which these trips attract. The group will have several spotting scopes allowing participants to get a close look at many of the species. Binoculars will be available for participants to use.

Trip Start Time: 8:00 AM at the Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot Trip End Time: Noon or whenever each participant wants to peel off Location: We will meet at the Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot. Participants should meet me at the Ocean City Inlet. Look for the car with a MAEOE sign on top.

Additional Fee

MUST REGISTER IN CVENT FOR THIS SESSION - https://cvent.me/NNQ72Y

Speakers

George Radcliffe

Youth Coordinator, Maryland Ornithological Society

Youth Coordinator of the Maryland Ornithological SocietyMiddle School Science Teacher for 38 yearsOne of the founding MAEOE members - Past PresidentPresident of Spocott Windmill FoundationAuthor of 2 books on local history

Sunday February 5, 2023 8:00am - 12:00pm EST

Optional Experiences

11:00am EST

Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park Tour

Amid bird calls, freshly plowed fields, and the hum of mosquitoes, the landscape that shaped Harriet Tubman’s life as an enslaved child, young woman, and freedom seeker thrives still in Dorchester, Talbot, and Caroline Counties, preserved within the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument and National Historical Park.

Meet at 11:00 AM at the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, MD. The facility houses permanent exhibits, a film, restrooms, a museum store, an information desk, and a research library, and it serves as the park’s primary visitor destination. Come explore for a sixty-minute tour or compete in an hour-and-a-half Jr. Ranger Activity to earn a Harriet Tubman Badge. Don’t miss out!

4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, MD 21622

Additional Fee

MUST REGISTER IN CVENT FOR THIS SESSION - https://cvent.me/NNQ72Y

Speakers

Melissa Boyle Acuti

Chief of Interpretation, Maryland Park Service

Sunday February 5, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EST
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park 4068 Golden Hill Rd, Church Creek, MD 21622

Optional Experiences