Pulse Check: Outdoor Learning
Join other network members to explore this emerging topic: Outdoor Learning.
Select date and time
Location
Frick Environmental Center
2005 Beechwood Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15217About this event
- Free venue parking
What is a Remake Learning Pulse Check?
Remake Learning Pulse Checks are a new, dynamic initiative that brings together network members to address emerging educational topics through a series of focused, time-bound engagements. Each Pulse Check will culminate in a landscape scan, whitepaper, and strategic plan for the network.
Why Pulse Checks?
As the education landscape evolves rapidly, Pulse Checks enable Remake Learning to respond quickly to emerging trends and opportunities. Unlike long-term working groups, which allow deep exploration, Pulse Checks are agile, designed for rapid launch.
Participants of Pulse Checks are kindly requested to attend both sessions and currently be working in the focus area of the Pulse Check. For this Outdoor Learning Pulse Check, participants should be engaged in teaching and learning (or guiding/supporting teaching and learning) that happens in the outdoors in any setting. See FAQs for more info.
What Might I Expect from Participating in this Pulse Check?
A bit of connection, a little fun, and a chance to shape the future of Outdoor Learning in the Pittsburgh area, and ...
About a week before the first gathering, you should expect to get confirmation of your attendance from Colleen Smith along with a landscape document that will set the stage and help you to get your mind focusing on the upcoming session. You may be asked to come prepared with some initial thoughts and resources.
At the first session, we will gain a snapshot of current regional efforts, assets, and opportunities and challenges. We will begin to identify unique opportunities for collective action.
In between sessions, you will be asked to consider some key ideas and prompted to come to the second session ready to rock.
At the second session, we will focus on making sense of what we know about what’s happening, what’s needed, and what’s hoped for in Outdoor Learning in the Pittsburgh region. We should end with an outline of actionable goals for Remake Learning Network Strategy Development.
After this pulse check (not immediately after, but soon enough), you will receive a summary resource capturing the work and experience of this pulse check – designed by the group with the intention of supporting and advancing your efforts.
When Is This?
Tuesday, March 4th from 8:45 AM - 12 noon
AND
Monday, March 24th 8:45 AM - 12 noon
Frequently asked questions
Broadly. Outdoor learning is learning that happens in the outdoors including learning about the outdoors (e.g. observing living things in an environmental science class), learning while in the outdoors (e.g. reading a book in English class), and/or spending time outside and letting learn emerge.
Gosh, any entity who sees themselves as part of outdoor learning (as broadly defined above) within reasonable reach of Pittsburgh: Parks, Gov't, Camps, Funders, Museums, Schools, Conservation Districts, Out-of-School Time providers, Businesses, etc. We really want a mix!
Please plan to send only 1 person as we are seeking to collect a range of perspectives. We're aiming to include a broad and diverse mix of those engaging in Outdoor Learning from a variety of organizations, service providers, schools, etc. If space is available, we will reach back out.
Please consider sending a representative from your organization who has the scope and perspective of how Outdoor Learning fits into your work, who has the capacity to attend both days, and who is open to meaningful, relevant, and collaborative opportunities with aligned partners.
You will receive confirmation of your attendance from colleen.smith279@gmail.com on Tuesday, February 25th (if you've registered by then). Please hold the dates and plan to attend unless you hear of a change. For those who register later, you will receive confirmation by the next business day.
Yeah, maybe ...? If school districts attend and add that to the landscape, then yes. Please recognize that this will not be an explicit focus on STEELS. K-12 implementation of the STEELS standards may rise to the surface as an emerging topic within Outdoor Learning
Colleen Smith is coordinating this Remake Learning Pulse Check: Outdoor Learning. You can reach her at colleen.smith279@gmail.com.
Yes, please plan to arrive for a soft start at 8:45 AM. Morning refreshments will be available. Session will begin officially at 9 AM. If you can stay to share a bite of lunch after we end at 12 noon, please do. Otherwise, we will have a TO GO box to get you through your afternoon.
Use the official address as provided. Note: Simply putting “Frick Environmental Center” into your GSP could potentially take you to the Blue Slide Park entrance.
There is plenty of free, onsite parking under the solar panels or around the Governor’s loop. There is also additional free parking on Beechwood Blvd.
You will want to enter past the main Gatehouse and take the bridge to the main facility entrance. Katie, the front desk associate, or another Frick Environmental Center staff member can assist guests to the main classroom space once inside the main lobby.
Not necessarily, but hopefully. Our goal is to have broad representation across the many sectors and settings involved in Outdoor Learning in the region. If we have tremendous response, we will determine if we have over representation from any particular sector and work to balance the group.
Absolutely. And ... while you're thinking of it ... here's a link to the short form to join: https://remakelearning.org/join-in/.