CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS OPEN FOR KAEE'S 46TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

You're invited to submit a session proposal for our 46th Annual Conference! This year, we'll be live and in person at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. The reunion of a lifetime --our network together again for the first time since 2018! Join us and be part of the dynamic and engaging lineup by submitting your session proposal today.

​The call for proposals closes April 24.

Please note this is a competitive proposal process. Not all proposals will be accepted. We are looking for interactive, engaging, and relevant sessions.

Join Us on (a Listening) Tour

KAEE’s mission is to increase environmental knowledge and community engagement in Kentucky through the power of environmental education. We have never done this alone, and now more than ever, we want to support the “boots on the ground” educators and advocates who are helping us in this crucial mission. As we begin the process of drafting a new Strategic Plan, we are holding a "listening tour," and you're invited!

We’re handing you the mic to share with us your ideas about how we can best support environmental educators in and outside of Kentucky's classrooms. Your feedback and ideas will help shape our new Strategic Plan. Come share your voice as we begin this important work.

Learn more and RSVP here.

Highlights from the 2021 Outdoor Learning Symposium

Dr. Carrie Tzou and Dr. Leah Bricker from Learning in Places kicked off The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education’s (KAEE) annual Outdoor Learning Symposium in 2021. The Kentucky Division of water sponsored the virtual event held on June 8th and 10th. With a symposium that emphasized place as not just a location, but a collaborator in learning, over 60 classroom teachers, school administrators and nonformal educators gathered online over the course of the two days to learn about the benefits of outdoor education and how to enhance their own spaces and places. With the challenge from the keynote to consider how science and ecological education contributes to conversations about ethics, and sociological change, the event’s sessions looked at various conversations about outdoor learning.

“An essential challenge for all of us is creating just, sustainable, and culturally thriving communities in order to address the challenges and the really great opportunities of the 21st century.” -Dr. Carrie Tzou

J.D. Bussell, Lester Diaz, and Tresine Logsdon discussed teaching outdoors from an administrative perspective. Dr. Melinda Wilder presented about integrating the new science assessment with outdoor learning. And Dr. Kim Yates, Dr. Becky Krall, and Sagan Goodpaster taught educators about planning tools. Dr. Yates introduced the idea of planning a garden using seed mats. And Dr. Becky Krall and Sagan Goodpaster introduced virtual tools to enable educators to bring the outdoors into the classroom when necessary.

The second day of the symposium started with the question “How can we effectively use the outdoors for learning?” from the plenary session by Rae McEntyre, the Science consultant at the Kentucky Department of Education.

In a breakout session, Aukrum Burton presented “Ripple Effects: Exploring Water in Louisville”, a collaboration between the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, Kentucky Division of Water, Louisville Free Public Library, River City Paddle Sports, and University of Louisville College of Education & Human Development. He showed an example of how they used a photography contest to get students into nature and how it fit into their larger Louisville/Ohio River Visioning Project.

The rest of the sessions looked at water education outdoor learning experiences with Danny Woolums demonstrating a Project WET session, Dale Booth discussing Division of Water tools for water education, and Vivian Bowles digging into the practicalities of managing a class when you’re teaching outside.

“Just being outside in nature does so much good for the body, and because it does so much good for the body, it helps to clear the mind which opens up for learning.” -Rae McEntyre

Inserted throughout the event were opportunities for participants to meet with community partners and take part in networking and planning sessions.

KAEE recorded all sessions, so participants have the chance to go back and re-watch their favorite sessions, or see the ones they didn’t get to attend live. For those that didn’t register, there’s still a chance to receive the training from the Outdoor Learning Symposium. Contact Brittany Wray at brittany@kaee.org to learn how you can still take part and gain access to the recordings.