Nature Journaling: A Professional Development Workshop for K-12 Educators

Journaling advances the foundation of learning through outdoor inquiry, investigation and scientific thinking, whether it is of trees in the forest, birds on a pond, spring flowers and weeds sprouting in a community garden or muddy footprints on a school playground!

Journaling also builds all subject skills of observation, curiosity and creativity with pictures, words and numbers using a sketchbook and pencil.  No special scientific, artistic or literary abilities are required to enjoy this.

Teachers will find inspiration at the beautiful NJSOC campus in the heart of Stokes State Forest while learning how to include Nature Journaling across all curricular areas, inside and outside the classroom.  Many skills will be shared and experienced, including introductory journaling techniques and activities, simple artistic elements of design, building a sense of place, developing scientific thinking skills and natural history concepts, structuring observations and forming questions, lasting memories and connections.

Links to NJ Standards will be provided and teachers will be excited to pass along these skills to students of all ages!

Participating educators will receive a $50 stipend, made possible through grant funding, upon completion of the workshop.

Instructor Bio: Lois Lyons is a retired Chemistry teacher with over 35 years of experience in formal and nonformal classrooms.  This Presidential Award winning educator volunteers with the Monmouth County Park System and Retired Educators Association.  She volunteers and works at NJSOC. Lois is an avid hiker and has a passion for the outdoors that she connects with her watercolor painting.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (RAIN OR SHINE):

Friday, October 4th, Optional early arrival to alleviate the stress of morning travel.

4-5pm Arrive at NJSOC and settle into cabins

5- 6pm- Canoe Paddle on Lake Wapalanne

6-8pm- BYO Dinner, Campfire, Stargazing & S’mores!

Saturday, October 5th, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM

8-9am- Overnighters will enjoy a hearty breakfast

9am- Arrivals for single day participants

9am-12pm- Intro to ConceptsOutdoor activities:

• I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

• Elements of Design
• Comparison or Inside Out

12-1pm – Lunch at Big Timbers

1-3pm – Outdoor activities, while hiking NJSOC trails

• My Secret Object
• Zoom In/Zoom Out
• String Safari

3-3:30pm- Reflection, Feedback and Departure

Registration fee for overnighters includes breakfast and lunch, overnight accommodations in cabin-style housing and all workshop materials. The fee for a single day includes lunch and all workshop materials.

Please contact Tanya Sulikowski, NJSOC Director of Education, with any questions. tsulikowski@njsoc.org

Refund Policy:

Your event fee, minus Eventbrite Fees, is fully refundable if canceled 7 or more days before the event. While we appreciate being notified if you are unable to attend an event, refunds are not given for cancellations within 7 days of the event.

If we must cancel an event, your registration fee, including Eventbrite fees, will be refunded.