Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

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.

Thank you for registering for the 2024 Summit!

10:30am CST

Promoting Flood Awareness through Engaging STEM Programs for Community and Environmental Connection

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Texas South 116

Join us for an inspiring session showcasing an innovative nature-based STEM program that incorporates flood safety awareness into an exciting educational journey. In 2023, the San Antonio River Authority’s Education team developed programming to inspire youth living in Flash Flood Alley through positive, hands-on, and place-based activities. Students explored their watershed, assessed flood prevention infrastructure, and learned how STEM protects communities. This program ignites a passion for STEM, encouraging young leaders to develop solutions that preserve natural spaces and places. We’ll share best practices, tools, and resources, and invite participants to discuss their challenges and solutions for implementing impactful programs.

Speakers

Janine Garcia

Education and Engagement Coordinator, San Antonio River Authority

Janine Garcia, a former classroom teacher and park ranger with the National Park Service, has over a decade of experience in both formal and informal education. With a B.S. in Psychology specializing in Family and Child Development, a B.S. in Environmental Science and Ecology, and... Read More →

Emily Rew

Education and Engagement Coordinator, San Antonio River Authority

Emily Rew is a certified educator, science communicator, and musician. Shehas over ten seasons of experience directly engaging youth and adults inoutdoor education programming. As a member of the River Authority’seducation team, Emily informs and inspires learners of all ages to... Read More →

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Texas South 116

Concurrent Session, Education

1:00pm CST

Nature Smart Libraries and Loose Parts Kits: Innovative Collaborations for Nature Equity

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Texas South 116

This session will explore the integration of two Cities Connecting Children to Nature Austin strategies: Nature Smart Libraries and Nature Play. Participants will gain insights into the collaboration between Austin Parks and Recreation Department and Austin Public Library and how these strategies address nature equity gaps. We will discuss the intersections of libraries and nature, and how libraries can serve as pivotal community hubs for nature connection, education and engagement. Leveraging library resources and nature play opportunities, this session will demonstrate how to create enriching, nature-based experiences for children, especially in urban areas with limited natural spaces.

Speakers

Kayla De La Portilla

Librarian II, Austin Public Library

I'm a Youth Services Librarian for the Austin Public Library system. I create programs for children and their families. I enjoy research that focuses on child development and nature based play.

Yasmine Anderson

CCCN Program Coordinator, City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Department

Yasmine Anderson serves as the Cities Connecting Children to Nature (CCCN) Coordinator within the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department’s Park Planning Division. In her role, she seeks to provide equitable access to nature for all children, with specific focus on Black and... Read More →

Laura Tadena

Community Engagement Librarian, Austin Public Library

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Texas South 116

Concurrent Session, Nature for All

2:15pm CST

Our Texas, Our Future: Local Conservation Issues to Inspire Your Learners

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST

Texas South 116

Inspire your learners to head outside and explore their local environments through 5 visually breathtaking videos and informative learning guides. H-E-B Presents: an Our Texas, Our Future film series tells the conservation stories of 4 Texas natives: black bears, ocelots, redfish, and bats along with the 100-year history of our state parks. Join this session to learn how to access and use these TEKS-aligned learning resources.

Speakers

Anne Marie Fayen

Curriculum Developer, Fayen Consulting LLC

I create K-12 learning resources for environmental ed materials. Most of my recent projects have been connected to nature documentaries.

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
Texas South 116

Concurrent Session, Education

3:45pm CST

Embracing Nature and Cultivating Young Innovators: Integrating Outdoor and Nature-Based Experiences into Education

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST

Texas South 116

Ignite the natural joy of the outdoors through exploration and interactive hands-on activities. Learn how to enhance indoor play areas as an option to overcome temporary barriers to outdoor nature play. Whether you’re creating a learning space from scratch or transforming an existing environment, this session will introduce key elements of outdoor learning environments and the six principles of nature-based education that can be incorporated to help foster the developmental domains of young children. Participants will be empowered to utilize available assets to teach environmental stewardship through intentional center-based education and to implement key concepts such as risky play and other integrated educational philosophies.

Speakers

Shana Kutac

Alexis Cordova

Early Childhood Project Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Alexis Cordova is an Early Childhood Project Specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Promoting Early Education Quality Program. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Family and Child Development from Texas State University. Over her 20-year career... Read More →

Emily Smith

Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Texas South 116

Concurrent Session, Early Childhood

Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

From $45.00