An Invitation to the 2010 Missouri Environmental Education Conference

The 14th Annual Missouri Environmental Education Conference

Focus: National Standards Integration

Saturday , December 4, 2010

University of Missouri - Columbia

Most recent update: December 1, 2010

• Conference Schedule
• Conference Fees and Registration

CONFERENCE UPDATE: DUE TO THE SMALL NUMBER OF PRE-REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS WE WILL ONLY HOLD THE SATURDAY WORKSHOP AND THE EVENT WILL ONLY RUN FROM 7:30 TO NOON. DUE TO THE CHANGES, WE HAVE REDUCED THE CONFERENCE FEE AND WE WILL MAKE REFUNDS IF THEY ARE REQUESTED.

Different Direction: This year we are taking the annual conference in a different direction to reduce overlap with similar events and to help fill a need met by few other regional organizations. Currently the annual STOM (Science Teachers of Missouri) conference, the AMI (Association of Missouri Interpreters) conference and Interface (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Math and Science Conference) provide a venue for educators to share environmental and outdoor education resources and activities with other educators in a presentation format. In addition, workshops provided by the Department of Conservation and other agencies and institutions cover the Projects (WET, WILD, Learning Tree), Leave No Trace, Leopold Education Project, Master Naturalist and other nationally recognized programs. The need we would like to focus on this year is awareness, understanding and use of National Standards, in particular the Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence (1996, 2004, 2009) developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Guidelines for Excellence Workshop: The main activity will be a guided Saturday morning and early afternoon workshop where formal and nonformal educators, grouped by their principal audience (preK-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, or 9th to adult), will learn about and apply the guidelines for environmental education materials, nonformal program development, and environmental education learners to the planning of a presentation, lesson, curriculum or nonformal program. During the workshop, attendees will prepare a large format outline or diagram of their plan for posting in the meeting space during an afternoon evaluation session. Interested participants can compete (by audience group) for first, second and third place recognition, and everyone will be eligible for an "Peer's Choice" award decided on by the conference participants. Even educators who are familiar with and have used the guidelines will benefit from the time and opportunities presented for constructive feedback provided by this workshop. Details and examples will be posted in the near future.

Poster Session: We are also inviting conference attendees to bring a prepared poster in one of four categories, 1. Environmental Education Activity (a current lesson, nonformal program, etc.), 2. Environmental Education Research, 3. Environmental Research (Missouri examples are particularly welcome), or 4. Enviromental Content (written for a college educated audience and intended to provide in-depth factual content). These posters will take the place of presentations. Poster titles can be submitted at any time up to a week before the conference, but submission must include a 25-50 word description of the poster content and a one page pdf (8.5x11") facsimlie of the poster or summary of its main contents. The description and pdf will be available on the conference website before, during and after the conference. Poster presenters will also be expected to host their posters for short periods during the lunch break to answer questions, and they should bring at least 10 copies of the one page pdf for handing out to interested persons. Details and examples will be posted in the near future.

Conference Schedule

Saturday December 4

Conference Fees

Fees are required for all attendees, whether or not they are participating in any particular activity, and even if they are only planning on attending on Sunday. After you fill out the online registration form you will be redirected to a payment site. You can pay by check, money order or paypal.

Basic Registration

• Individual Professional $30 - includes a one year MEEA membership
• Student/Retiree $20 - includes a one year MEEA membership

2010 MOEE Conference Registration