Updated: Aug 19
On July 31, 2025, educators from across Kentucky gathered in Whitesburg for the Outdoor Learning Symposium (OLS). It was a full-day professional learning event designed for K–12 teachers and administrators eager to take learning outside the walls of the classroom. Hosted at Cowan Elementary School, the day offered more than just professional development—it was a celebration of place-based, outdoor learning rooted in the unique landscapes and communities of eastern Kentucky.
With a packed schedule of hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and inspiring dialogue, OLS empowered educators with fresh strategies, tools, and connections to support outdoor and environmental learning in their schools.
Ronny Goins, Director of Assessment at Letcher County Public Schools, and a vital partner in hosting the event, shared this reflection:
"It was a great day of collaboration and learning. I truly believe our teachers came away inspired, and with an ample supply of resources and network partners to allow them to bring their ideas to life. I can't wait to see the vibrant learning experiences the students of Letcher County participate in as a result of this symposium!"
Digging Into the Day: Sessions That Sparked Curiosity
After morning coffee and welcome remarks, participants jumped into their first session of the day:
Taking Learning Outside. For many teachers, getting students outdoors feels intimidating, and this session tackled that hesitation head-on. Participants explored practical tools for managing time, behavior, materials, and content during outdoor learning experiences. They took part in an outdoor lesson themselves and reviewed real examples of Kentucky students engaging in standards-based outdoor learning. Discussions allowed teams to brainstorm how to adapt their own curriculum for the outdoors.
Kentucky Green Schools: In this energizing session, educators explored how to launch a Green Schools program on their campus, which was complete with hands-on investigations, student-led initiatives, and a roadmap for forming a “green team” of student changemakers. With easy-to-access resources and plenty of support, teachers were ready to jumpstart sustainability efforts at their schools.
Flood Preparedness: Using Local Data to Inform Active Learning: This interactive workshop showed how stream monitoring and local data can help students understand and respond to both drought and high water events in their own communities. Teachers learned how to engage students in hands-on, science-driven investigations that connect water systems, resilience, and action.
Integrating English/Language Arts with Place-Based Learning: This session explored how outdoor experiences can deepen reading comprehension and content knowledge, especially through programs like Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), recently adopted by Letcher County Schools. Teachers spent time getting in Cowan Creek, connecting ELA standards with real-world, nature-based contexts.
River Cowboys Film & Water Education: This workshop featured a screening of the short film River Cowboys: Keepin’ It Wild, which highlights themes of river conservation, community, and resilience. Educators explored a companion discussion guide designed to spark powerful classroom conversations, helping students engage with local waterways, diverse community voices, and the challenges facing Kentucky’s rivers and the people who rely on them.
The Power of Place
One of the most powerful moments of the day came at noon, when participants gathered to hear from George Ella Lyon, Kentucky’s beloved writer, poet, and educator. Raised near the Cumberland River in Harlan County, Lyon spoke about the power of place, story, and imagination in education. Her keynote wove together personal reflection, poetry, and a celebration of vibrant, outdoor learning rooted in the land and culture of eastern Kentucky.
Community Partners
The day of learning ended with an opportunity for teachers to connect with partners who can help support them along their outdoor learning journey. Many thanks to the partners who joined us to help round out this inspirational day!
Kentucky Environmental Education Council
Kentucky Department of Education
Kentucky Division of Water
Kentucky Mesonet
Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Pine Mountain Settlement School
SOURCE Cowan Interns
The event was hosted by KAEE in partnership with a deeply engaged local planning team and generous sponsors. Many thanks to: Cowan Elementary School and Letcher County Public Schools, The Cooperative Consortium for Transdisciplinary Social Justice Research, Double Kwik, Cowan Community Center, and The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute.
And a special shoutout to our OLS Action Team:
Mary Brydon-Miller, University of Louisville
Valerie Horn, Cowan Community Center
Vanessa Vanover, Cowan Elementary School
Ronny Goins, Letcher County Public Schools
Vivian Bowles, KAEE Board Member & Facilitator
The KAEE Team
Looking Ahead
From creekside reading to real-world data, every session offered something meaningful, and the shared commitment to taking learning outside was evident in every conversation.
KAEE is grateful to the educators who joined us and to the partners who helped make it happen. Here’s to more outdoor learning, more collaboration, and a future where every Kentucky student has the chance to learn from the world around them!
