Please join us for the 4th annual GLSI Great Lakes PBE Conference, Michigan's Great Lakes basin-wide gathering about place-based education. Our three-day conference begins Thursday, November 6 with Pre-session Meetings, Field Trips/Workshops, and an Evening Reception. The General Sessions for the conference will be held Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8.

The conference features opportunities to learn about place-based education, environmental stewardship, and the natural resources of the Great Lakes region. Our three previous conferences have been highly praised by participants. This one is going to be the best yet!

This year's Pre-session Kickoff Fieldtrips/Workshops include:

• Geology of the Great Lakes: Join renowned West Michigan's science educators and geologists Larry Fegel and Mark Walton to learn new ways to integrate stewardship education into your earth science curriculum. Then put your spelunking skills to the test and discover geology firsthand from within the earth during an exclusive, all-access tour of the Grand Rapids Gypsum Mines. Wear clothing that you are comfortable getting dirty. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp, tall boots (rubber recommended), and a light jacket. Helmets, rock hammers, and other necessary equipment will be provided.
• Project WET and Project Learning Tree Training: A great opportunity to undertake two interesting trainings on the same day. Join Dr. Janet Vail of the Annis Water Resources Institute for a day-long session that will prepare you to use the outstanding resources of these two organizations. Curriculum materials for classroom use are included for you to take back to your school. More information on both internationally recognized programs can be found at projectwet.org and plt.org.
• Using Design Thinking in Stewardship Education: The Grand Valley State University College of Education (GVSU) and Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) are helping the Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Rapids Public Museum develop an innovative school built on the principles of place-based education and design thinking. Learn from GVSU and KCAD staff and faculty members about how design thinking integrates with place-based stewardship education, and discover how you can use design thinking to improve your community projects and increase your students’ engagement in those projects.
• NEW! Mapmaking with Children (K-8) Workshop with David Sobel: Making maps fascinates children and we should use this intrinsic desire to shape developmentally appropriate curriculum in social studies, math, and language arts. This practical and participatory workshop, brought to you by Kent ISD, will include:
  
  • review of research on children's neighborhood maps
  • drawing maps that represent the 10-year-old view of the landscape
  • the presentation of a clear developmental model of children's geographic understanding
  • examples of integrated curriculum based on this developmental model
  • indoors mapmaking activities suitable for early elementary grades
  • an outdoors mapmaking/treasure hunt activity that involves local exploration and a literacy challenge adaptable for K-6 or beyond
    
    This workshop will range from developmental theory to brass tacks practical, from serious reflecting on the purposes of education to the giddy thrill of finding hidden treasure. Come prepared to draw maps, solve problems, plan curriculum and perhaps get a bit wet and muddy.

For more information about the conference, including an agenda overview and list of keynote speakers, visit the conference page on our website at www.glstewardship.org/About/Conference.aspx!