Professional Development Workshops

Educator Workshops | Leadership Workshops | Adult Workshops

A group of teachers from Lebanon Elementary School hard at work collaborating during a teacher workshop.

EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS
AT YOUR SCHOOL
Workshops can be designed for teachers and educators as in-service learning opportunities or afternoon programs at your school. A 2-hour ABCs of Ecology: Live and Unplugged! workshop for up to 20 educators is a terrific way to combine education, entertainment and inspiration into one afternoon.

AT OUR SEASIDE CAMPUS
We also offer Educator Workshops at our campus in Saco, Maine, with a cost of $15-$50 per participant depending on length and whether meals are included. Workshops are offered year-round, 7 days of the week.

DURING YOUR SCHOOL'S RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM
While your students are out on an ecosystem lesson during their Overnight program, why not take advantage of our incredible outdoor classroom to expand your knowledge? We will work with attending teachers and administrators on specific content issues, teaching methodology, or addressing new NCLI legislation during on-site sessions. What better way to get those professional development hours? Cost is $15-$25 per participant, depending on length, for up to 20 participants.

Workshops offered by FBES in the past include:

• The ABCs of Ecology
• Narrative Education
• Reading the Landscape
• Adding Magic and Mystery to Your Classroom
• Creating Tomorrow's Ecologists, Today
• ABCs of Sustainability
• Ecology and Community: Applying Ecological Concepts to the Workplace
• At Home In Nature: Families Outside, Together
• Ecology and Economy

To bring a workshop to your school or teacher group, or a workshop at the FBES campus, please contact Outreach Director Meg Edstrom at 207-283-9951 or email her at meg@fbes.org

Department team leaders from Whole Foods Portland attend an "Ecology and Community" workshop at Ferry Beach.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOPS
FOR YOUR WORKPLACE
We also offer Leadership Workshops at our campus in Saco, Maine or at your workplace. Contact us with your group's interests, and we will work together to design a workshop addressing your workplace's specific professional needs.

ADULT WORKSHOPS
FOR FAMILIES AND PARENTS
These workshops are devoted to parents and adults interested in and concerned about the lack of time children spend outside in nature. Obesity, depression and ADHD are ailments that Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, and other researchers are linking to children's limited experiences outdoors. Innovative activities and ideas for creating outdoor experiences that are safe and meaningful for adults and children. Topics to be covered include:

• Exploring the adult's role in supporting a child’s experiences and trips outdoors.
• Learning activities for structuring outside time.
• Discovering easy techniques to incorporate fun into trips outside while discovering the amazing stories nature has to tell.
• Question and answer conversations focused on issues of planning and structuring outside time, safety and awareness outdoors.
• Using new literature to support family's outdoor adventures.
• Gaining exposure to Ferry Beach’s unique, proven teaching methodologies using narrative education techniques.
• Collaborating with other parents and adults - making connections with others looking to head outdoors!