Welcome to the 2024 Texas Children in Nature Network Summit held in Waco, Texas!
After registering for the Summit and making your Wednesday Workshop selection, you will be enrolled in your selected workshop by TCiNN staff. You will see your workshop on your schedule after you have been enrolled.
You do not need to select and add your workshop to your schedule.
All workshops are "frozen" and only staff can manage enrollment.
If you do not see a workshop option on the registration form that is listed on the workshop PDF, that means it is full and no longer available.
Regular registration ends November 30.
Late registration begins December 1.
Once late registration begins, any cancellations will not be refunded.
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
Exposure to nature has been proven to be extremely beneficial for a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. As a result, calls for youth to balance out their Screen Time with Green Time have been increasing, but it’s worth noting that younger generations may not feel comfortable spending time in nature, and may lack the confidence or experiential know-how to engage their attention span outdoors in technology-free ways. Participants will learn how to refocus their attention so that they can reconnect with nature in technology-free ways, leading to sustainable habits around getting more green time, less screen time, and improved wellbeing.
Health and Outdoor Educator, Board Certified Health Coach, SG Wellness, LLC
My work leverages 18+ years of experience in health and outdoor education through the lens of sustainable behavior change. We should talk about what it means for all ages to get More Green Time, Less Screen Time!
Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Field Session
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
Every year teachers spend precious class funds on plastic fidgets and glitter wands in hope of helping their students self regulate in Peace Corners. Why not create a free, student driven, place-based Nature Box that connects students to the joy, comfort, and belonging of the outdoors? Inspired by the Neurosequential Model of Education (NME), participants will experience the community building and sensory regulation benefits of creating their own interactive Nature Box.
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
EcoRise sparks transformation at public-schools through a type of Project-Based Learning (PBL) known as an Eco-Audit Grant. Learn about some of the projects that have blossomed across Texas through student-driven inquiry, teacher-guided innovation, and grants from EcoRise. Participants will do a biodiversity audit of an outdoor space. We will identify and count any living organisms within a designated kingdom. We will discuss findings, develop a visualization of our data, and give ourselves a biodiversity “score”. We will end with a quick brainstorm of ways to increase biodiversity in our own backyards and communities, including with or through K-12 schools.
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to the session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
Join us for an engaging walking field trip to The Piper Center for Family Studies and Child Development at Baylor University, where we’ll explore the transformative power of outdoor learning environments for young children in Texas early learning centers. We will begin with a short presentation on the ECE Outdoor Learning Environment Network, a program of Texas Children in Nature Network, and the OLE! Texas initiative Attendees will learn how this network will help early childhood educators create vibrant, nature-connected spaces that support children’s growth, learning, and community engagement. You'll learn about the tools, resources, and community partnerships empowering educators to integrate outdoor learning into their practices and discover how this innovative work is inspiring teachers and young learners to connect with the natural world. After a brief presentation on the network’s impact and goals, attendees will be guided on a tour of The Piper Center by its Director, Michelle Kiefer. Come see firsthand how early learning centers are transforming outdoor spaces to nurture curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of nature.
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
At this workshop, learn how to set up your own water wall with some tubing, connectors, and ties all found easily at your local hardware store. The best part is that these water walls take up vertical spaces and can be set up on a chain link fence or lattice. There’s so much potential in such a simple activity.
Director of Education, Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds Inc
Jill is a registered early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience in various settings. She currently works as the Director of Education, alongside her husband, Adam, at their company Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. Jill is part of an exciting team that designs and creates... Read More →
Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
Field Session
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.
Experience three activities for different age groups that foster a connection to the land from early childhood to adulthood. For birth to age five, engage in sensory exploration of natural materials, dramatic play prompts, and wildlife observation. For K-12, become a wildlife/nature interpreter by creating a hidden treasures walking map using math, science, English/language arts, and art.
For young leaders, use NOAA mapping tools to explore community vulnerabilities, conduct water quality testing, and discuss how native plantings can impact water quality. Participants will receive a guiding handout with links to the activities to consider possible application in their own settings. Participants should be comfortable traveling about ½-mile to access the sites.
Manager, Texas Education, National Wildlife Federation
Karen Bishop is a Manager of Education & Engagement with the National Wildlife Federation. Her current work focuses on helping schools to build and maintain pollinator habitat through NWF’s Monarch Heroes program. Karen works with schools across Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Manor... Read More →
Senior Director of Design and Engagement, NWF - Early Childhood Health Outdoors
Rebecca Colbert is a licensed landscape architect with 20 years of experience and a doctorate in Design and Planning. She serves as the Senior Director of Design and Engagement for Early Childhood Health Outdoors at the National Wildlife Federation. Dr. Colbert previously served as... Read More →
In this role, I help build community partnerships as well as create outreach materials for early education professionals. I attended the University of Idaho and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and GIS. I have previously worked for STEM-based youth education... Read More →
Resilience in Schools Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation
As NWF's Coordinator for the Houston region, I manage the various grant programs active in the area (Monarch Heroes, Outdoor Learning Cohort, & Resilience in Schools & Communities) and prioritize building and strengthening relationships with local partners as well as K-12 schools... Read More →
Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Field Session
