~Please click on the title of each panel for a copy of the distributed Resource Lists~
Keynote Address: Suzanne Spradling on “No Child Left Inside in OK!”
Presentations:
Citizen Science – real science – meaningful contributions!
Description: Citizen Science programs and events allow students to learn and implement real field science techniques. Come learn what is available at both the national and state levels. See what other educators are doing. Engage your students in meaningful science and demonstrate how they can become good stewards of the environment.
Moderator:
Christina Stallings Roberson, OK Forestry Services-Education Coordinator/PLT
Panelists:
Cheryl Cheadle, OK Conservation Commission/ Blue Thumb Program
Karen Harris, Holland Hall, HS Biology
Priscilla Crawford, OK Biological Survery/ Bioblitz
Journaling – more than just ink – or technology!
Description: There is a video clip on OETA showing a youngster wading in a creek with a notebook and a pencil. This is an excellent advertisement for journaling. However, writing as we have known it is going through a transformation at lightning speed from tweeting to graphic novels. This is a conversation we need to have.
Moderator:
Beth Landon, Lab Tech, Oklahoma City University
Panelists:
Luann Sewell Waters, State Coordinator, Leopold Education Project
Amy Dee Stephens, Oklahoma City Zoo Naturalist Instructor and author
Dr. Brooke Hessler, Department of English, OSU
Description: The OKC Zoo promotes conservation education by connecting kids to nature. Explore how you can use the Zoo and its resources to connect your own students to nature.
Moderator:
Teresa Randall, Director of Education OKC Zoo
Panelists:
Andrea Beshara, Naturalist OKC Zoo- Using Interpretation to Connect Kids to Nature
Todd Bridgewater, Naturalist OKC Zoo- Monarch Magic
Randelyon Phillips, Naturalist OKC Zoo- Early Childhood ABC’s
Description: The best way for students to learn about nature and the environment is to Get ‘Em Outside. Come discover some of the options for outdoor learning experiences including spaces on school grounds, off-site facilities, and field days.
Moderator:
Karla Beatty, Education Coordinator, Oklahoma Conservation Commission
Panelists:
Robert Gibbs, Rogers County Conservation District & the Rogers State University Conservation Education Reserve
Peggy Matlock, Red Oak Elementary, Moore Public Schools
Patricia Johnson, Grove Valley Elementary, Deer Creek Public Schools
Description: During this session, panelists will discuss their experiences with and suggestions for using/integrating environmental education curriculum supplement tools (e.g. Ag in the Classroom, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree, Water Education for Teachers, Leopold Education Project, etc.) in the classroom and in informal settings (e.g. parks, nature centers, church group activities, scouts).
Moderator:
Dr. Suzanne Spradling, Earth Connections LLC
Panelists:
Dana Bessinger, Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Market Development Division program Ag in the Classroom
Dr. Kurtis Koll, Professor, Cameron University
Katherine Hunt, Informal and formal EE educator
Description: How does your garden grow? If you incorporate a garden into your outdoor learning lessons, not only will your flowers bloom but your students will as well! Gardens can teach everything from math to science to healthy eating. This session will give you great ideas for incorporating gardens into your program.
Moderator:
Lisa Anderson, OK Project WILD/UCO
Panelists:
Bruce Edwards, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Heather Oakley, Global Gardens Founder and Director
Shelley Mitchell, Junior Master Gardener Program, OSU
Discovery Kits and Door Prizes provided by:
Grand Prize: Electric Lawn Mower from 
Oklahoma Association of Environmental Education (OKAEE)
Oklahoma State University (OSU)
Kirkpatrick Foundation
OCCC-InBre
Skulls Unlimited
OK Forestry Services
OK Conservation Commission
OK Project WILD- UCO