Inside-Outside: Promising Practices in Nature- and Place-based Elementary Education 

Saturday, October 27, 2018
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Symonds Elementary School
79 Park Avenue, Keene, NH

Join us for this day-long conference of educators who are redefining what's possible in elementary education. As we build school programs around place-based social studies, outdoor science lessons, Forest Fridays and more, we're connecting children to the natural world, local communities and big ideas.

Conference Registration Check-In and Workshop Selection will open at 8:00 am. Morning refreshments will be available. We'll begin the day at 9:00 am with a ceremonial opening, followed by a morning keynote. Breakout workshop sessions will follow, and then lunch (on us)! The afternoon brings something new: a "keyNOT!" We're switching out the after lunch keynote and going for a more active and interactive conversation on important topics. Linking to the keynote theme of wall-less-ness, come prepared to share positive examples of your work teaching children outdoors. Another set of workshop sessions will take place in mid afternoon. A closing circle rounds out the day!

Because we are not doing a PRE-registration for workshop sessions this year, please come early and come prepared to sign up for your workshops at the morning registration check-in. Workshop titles and their presenter information follows. To see detailed descriptions of the workshop schedule, download this Conference Brochure.

Morning Keynote

Breaking Down the Barriers to Innovative Education

Paul Bocko, Antioch University New England, Keene, NH and
Aimee Arandia Østensen, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT

Nature- and place-based education done well can break down the barriers between schools and community. Wall-less-ness as a concept was identified by educators at the Green School in Bali, Indonesia. Their idea was that wall-less-ness is removing physical and figurative barriers to sustainability education. Playing with terminology around nature- and place-based education can help us make sure we are not complacent in our vision for education but adaptive to the ever-changing context of schools and communities. Paul and Aimee believe that wall-less-ness describes education that opens doors and breaks down barriers in order to playfully access context-rich learning that integrates the natural, built and cultural environment.

Paul and Aimee will share in presenting their take on wall-less-ness and how it has impacted their professional lives. Each will also share specific examples of wall-less-ness in images, stories, and discussion.

Morning Workshops

Register Now!