KAEE to hold inaugural Environmental Education Higher Education Network Summit

Elizabethtown, Ky., May 18, 2023 – The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) will hold the inaugural environmental education Higher Education Network (eeHEN) Summit event on Tuesday, May 23 at Eastern Kentucky University in partnership with the EKU Division of Natural Areas.

The summit comes from a KAEE initiative to create a network of higher education professionals from across the state and across environmental education disciplines. The goal is to provide members of the network with opportunities to convene, collaborate and partner together at the local level and across the state. KAEE anticipates having more eeHEN events throughout the year to follow.

“The partnership between KAEE and EKU’s Division of Natural Areas is invaluable, ” said Dr. Kelly Watson, Associate Director of EKU Division of Natural Areas. “We are united in our goals to provide opportunities and support for environmental education throughout Kentucky–this summit is a perfect example of that goal being accomplished.”

The schedule of events is divided into two segments throughout the day. First, the network-wide summit will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern Time, ending with a break for lunch provided by KAEE and the EKU Division of Natural Areas. The afternoon session offers an optional environmental education workshop: Using Environmental Context to Teach Preservice Teachers, which features learning experiences from Project WET and Project Learning Tree from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants will also receive a physical copy of the Climate, Water and Resilience guidebook and digital access to the Southeastern Forests and Climate Change Modules following the workshop.

“It’s our hope that this event inspires collegiate environmental educators and professionals to continue building and strengthening their community, ” said Dr. Watson. “By connecting with our peers, we can only strengthen the work that is already being done across our state and beyond.”

To register for the summit or to learn more about the eeHEN, visit: https://www.kaee.org/events-1/eehen-summit-1.

Dr. Kim Vigil to be featured as keynote speaker at KAEE symposium

Elizabethtown, Ky., May 16, 2023 – The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has announced that Dr. Kim Vigil will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Outdoor Learning Symposium, set for June 1 at North Calloway Elementary School in Murray, Kentucky.

Dr. Vigil is an assistant professor at Murray State University, an education consultant, a three-discipline Kentucky certified teacher and owner of Raye Educational Services, LLC. With nearly two decades of experience in educating students of all ages, Dr. Vigil is a proponent of transdisciplinary practices in education, blending movement, outdoor education, mindfulness and best practices across multiple disciplines.

Set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central Time, the Outdoor Learning Symposium is an annual event designed to meet the needs of PreK-12 administrators and teachers interested in exploring ways to engage students in environmental education (EE) experiences and cross-curricular outdoor learning. The event offers interactive sessions that provide research-based insights, practical integration tips, support for aligning curriculum with state academic standards and more.

“KAEE is really a driving force behind the environmental education movement here in Kentucky, and I am honored to be working with them,” Dr. Vigil said. “The Outdoor Learning Symposium is such an important opportunity for teachers and administrators, as it truly bridges the gap between the outdoor world and daily classroom instruction. Participants will become empowered to do what is best for children, which is to engage them in authentic and meaningful instruction in, and about, the environment.”

Registration for the event is now open and will close May 29. Tickets are $50 with a sliding scale “pay what you can” scholarship option available at checkout. Lunch will be provided.

To register, visit www.kaee.org/outdoor-learning. To learn more about Dr. Vigil, visit www.rayeeducationalservices.com.

KAEE to host Outdoor Learning Symposium

Elizabethtown, Ky., May 9, 2023 – The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has announced that it will host the annual Outdoor Learning Symposium June 1 at North Calloway Elementary School in Murray, Kentucky. The event is designed to meet the needs of PreK-12 administrators and teachers interested in exploring ways to engage students in environmental education (EE) experiences and cross-curricular outdoor learning.

Set for 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Central Time, the symposium offers interactive sessions that provide research-based insights, practical integration tips, support for aligning curriculum with standards and more.

Administrators and teachers are encouraged to communicate and plan to attend the event together as a team. Teams who attend and participate are eligible to apply for a mini-grant of up to $250 for their school or district to help fund outdoor learning projects.

Session topics at the symposium include Teaching & Managing Students Outdoors; Funding Opportunities & No Cost Ideas for Outdoor Learning; Green Schools; Assessment & Environmental Education; Exploring Water & Wildlife in Your Schoolyard and more. Local community partners will also be onsite to share resources they have which support PreK-12 outdoor learning either at schools or as part of a field experience.

Participants who attend will receive a certificate of completion for six hours of professional development. Effective Instructional Leadership Act (EILA) credits will be available for administrators. Sessions also have been pre-approved for ECE TRIS credits for early childhood educators.

“This event is guaranteed to inspire both teachers and administrators,” said Ashley Hoffman, Executive Director of KAEE. “Attendees will learn about the many available resources for area schools and gain valuable insights into this exciting field of education.”

Registration for PreK-12 teachers and administrators is now open, while registration for non-formal educators and community partners opens on May 15th. Registration closes May 29th. Tickets are $50 with a sliding scale “pay what you can” scholarship option available at checkout.

To register, visit www.kaee.org/outdoor-learning.