You know your students are curious and love to explore—and research shows that learning outdoors has overwhelmingly positive effects on their social‑emotional well‑being. Yet finding time and confidence to bring learning outside can feel challenging.
The Teachers’ Ecology Workshop supports elementary educators in strengthening their scientific background knowledge and learning how to teach through natural history and the outdoors with confidence and ease.
Throughout the workshop, educators will discover how to integrate nature‑based experiences across subjects—science, literacy, art, math, and social studies—creating rich, multidimensional learning opportunities.
By exploring Long Island’s natural history, teachers will gain an understanding of how local landscapes and ecosystems developed, and how these features can deepen early science learning. Participants will become familiar with local habitats, wildlife, and the environmental challenges these species face, focusing on the organisms that children naturally notice and engage with.
The workshop emphasizes hands‑on, sensory‑rich approaches to outdoor learning and offers practical strategies for using schoolyards, parks, and community green spaces as extensions of the classroom. Participants will leave with ready‑to‑use activities aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Collaboration is central to the experience. Educators will have opportunities to share ideas, build confidence, and form a supportive network committed to place‑based education. The workshop also provides guidance on advocating for outdoor learning within schools and mentoring new teachers—ensuring that future generations develop strong connections to Long Island’s natural history and environmental stewardship.
Teachers often describe the Teachers’ Ecology Workshop as both the most valuable and most enjoyable professional development they have taken. Expect to leave feeling renewed, inspired, and ready to bring meaningful outdoor learning to your students.
Don't delay! Submit your application (below) today! And encourage a colleague to apply as well.