Southern Fall Conference

“Setting the Stage”

Workshops and Events

Friday Night | Workshops | Apply to Present a Workshop | Saturday Night

Friday Night

Workshops:

Stone Age Living Skills - double session
Jeff Stauffer, LA County Outdoor Science School, Wrightwood and Raven's Way Traditional School
Workshop Objectives: Embark on a primal journey to explore our stone age past. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in a variety of stone age living skills that allowed our stone age ancestors to thrive and survive without the bother of industrialized society. The instructor is passionate about sharing his six years of personal experience and experimentation with you so that all may learn and grow together. He hopes that students will find a gateway to furthering their connection to Nature and the beauty that surrounds us every day. He invites everyone to join him for a day of joy and discovery so we may carry our stone age past into the future.

I Spy
Tom Drake, OCDE Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: To familiarize 5th and 6th grade students with the fundamentals of light and color, emphasizing primary colors and their interaction, to inspire students to keep this outdoor science school lesson going after they have returned home and to pass the torch on to new students.

Bat Chat
Leslie Helliwell, Inside the Outdoors Science Study Programs
Workshop Objectives: An understanding of the biology and habits of a fairly misunderstood creature.
Workshop methods: Many many many pictures, if I can get a dark area. Drawings. Q&A. Strange little demos. An experiment or two.
Presenter Bio: I'm a field naturalist with Inside the Outdoors. When I'm not running around with the kids, I am a bat nerd. I give presentations about bats and their role in the world, and about conservation in general. If I'm not doing that, I'm an artist and a dancer...

"Diversity is Stability"
Graciela Avila, Mesa Verde National Park
Workshop Objectives: Learn-theories behind and goals of bilingual/special education; brainstorm ways to apply these theories to lessons
Workshop methods: 1st part notes and lecture/large group discussion; 2nd part brainstorm in small groups, possible demos of activities
Presenter Bio: I have worked for LA County OSS for 5 years, 1st 3 years working mostly with underrepresented groups of 4th-6th graders. I have enjoyed leading interpretive tours for groups of diverse ages, nationalities, and backgrounds for 3 seasons as an Interpretive Park Ranger at Mesa Verde National Park, located in the Southwest corner of Colorado. Currently I am pursuing my Master's Degree in Education with an emphasis in bilingual/multicultural education at Northern Arizona University.

Beginning Guitar and Song Leading
Jason Westfall, Orange County Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: Participants will learn 6 new EE songs, receive a CD recording of these songs to practice to, learn about instrument care, and learn some basic music theory that will greatly aid them in their song leading skills.

In the Three Sisters Garden
Tonya Mandl, Los Angeles Unified School District
Workshop Objectives: The three sisters, corn, squash and bean are both an ancient and a contemporary Native agricultural tradition. Three Sisters Gardeners learn how to be “caretakers of the earth” by using Earth-friendly gardening principles, companion planting, stories, ceremonies, and personal health. Learn to pass on this tradition to your schools and students in whatever scale works for you: from short, indoor activities to seasonal organic gardening projects.

Using Children’s Literature to Enhance Outdoor Education
Dr. Darleen Stoner, California State University, San Bernardino
Workshop Objectives: Participants will learn about several children’s books that can be used to teach nature appreciation and skills useful in outdoor education.

Coyote Round-up
Frank Padilla, Jr., Magician, Storyteller and Outdoor Educator
Coyote lovers, come join us at the Coyote Round-up! This is your opportunity to share you favorite story about the trickster, recite a poem you wrote or display some special artwork about Coyote! We welcome any creative energy that reflects Coyote genres. Moderated by Frank Padilla, Jr., Magician, Storyteller and Outdoor Safety Educator, all materials shared will be collected and made into a booklet for all participants. Please bring a hard copy of your work!

Windbags, Propeller Sticks and other curiosities for engaging scientific inquiry
Frank Padilla, Jr., Magician, Storyteller and Outdoor Educator
This session will provide examples on how toys can be used to stimulate scientific inquiry. Participants will engage in hands-on activities using simple toys that can be used in an outdoor setting to engage science and fun.

Greening Your Property and Large Scale Composting
Maleah McPherson, Kate Eyler-Walker, , Highland Springs Resort/Camp Highland Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: Participants will learn tips, tools, and techniques on how to "green" their property, what "greening" is, and how to compost on a large scale (larger than vericomposting).
Workshop methods: We will be walking around the resort, observing different newly implemented "green" programs, testing various "green" products, and throwing food scraps into the compost bin (while observing hot composting).

Chaparral Adaptations
Brett Tillman and Anne Marie Casper, Camp Highland Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: Want to learn more about the chaparral? We will be playing some hands-on games, learning and teaching eachother and hiking to see some local native plants up close and personally.

Saws and Jaws and other Campfire Helpers
Steven Murphy, Thousand Pines Outdoor School
Workshop Objectives: Learn how to play the saw and jaw harp! Learn presenting and teaching techniques on using these interesting instruments, and campfire helpers. Saws and harps will be available to learn with.

Having Fun with Environmental Action
Kyle McPherson, Camp Highland Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: Participants will learn some activities, games and strategies for implementing Environmental Action themes into their lessons. We will play. We will discuss. We will share!

The Nature of Words: The importance of language in interpretation
Charlotte Melson, Children’s Forest Association
Do you use the words "nature," "natural," or phrases like "Mother Nature" in your interpretive programming? Come and take a look at the meanings of words and how, though it's crystal clear to us, we as interpreters may be making things clear as mud to our students.
Workshop Objectives: We will explore the idea that the words we use to teach the concepts and meanings may be clear in our own mind but convey different meanings to our listeners simply because we have different frames of reference

Winged Surfers (Birding with Children)
Jay Bishop, The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre
Birdwatching is a wonderful activity to share with children! At this workshop, learn how to teach ornithological concepts such as bird behavior, adaptations and physiology in ways your students will love! We will play a fun interactive game to learn about bird behavior.

Current Environmental Issues
Steve White, Orange County Outdoor Science School
Workshop Objectives: Learn about some of the current environmental issues we face today and how we can apply them to our programs. This is more of a discussion for adults, not much focus on teaching techniques for kids. Some ideas to share on how this can be integrated into your program.

Metric Olympics:
Carrie Vander Zwaag, Valley Christian Schools
Ideas for practical (yet fun) use of the metric system including accurate measurement, comparision of units, and conversion between units. From the cornflake discus and javelin toothpick toss to the gatorade gulp, you'll find a variety of wacky activities in this hands-on lab designed to give students a greater understanding of the metric system and its basic units of measurement. Participants in this workshop may get a little dirty as they partake in the 7 metric olympic events, compare results, and receive awards in the final medal ceremony.

Non-Competitive Games for Students
George "Iggy" Henderson, OCOSS
In this hands-on, active workshop, participants will learn how to gain full participation from your students and make it fun, broadening your range of options when engaging your students without the pressure of competition. Also includes discussion of group managment skills.

And more great workshops!

 

Saturday night: