Conferences and Workshops

Sierra Nevada Journeys is excited to be able to offer professional development in the form of engaging and informational workshops and conferences that not only strengthen and diversify teachers’ activity base, but also allow for idea sharing and collaboration. Graduate credits and Nevada Department of Education renewal credits are also included with some conferences and workshops.

Upcoming Professional Development Events

Multidisciplinary Activities for Exploring Water Science – Fun and exciting ways to explore the water cycle and water topics using multidisciplinary activities and lessons. Take-away resources included! Leave with cutting-edge materials from Project WET and Project Learning Tree.

  • Friday March 12: 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm AND Saturday March 13: 9.00 am – 3.00 pm
  • Location: William J. Raggio Education Building on the the UNR Campus, Room 2026
  • Cost: $10.00
  • .5 NV Department of Education CE Credits Available

SPOTS ARE LIMITED! Call Sierra Nevada Journeys to sign up at (775) 355 – 1688

Annual GreenPower Schools Training – Helping Nevada’s Kids Grow Up Green! Join the Desert Research Institute and Sierra Nevada Journeys for a workshop related to the GreenPower Schools program which helps to educate students about renewable energy! The mission of the GreenPower program is to support and promote educating Nevada’s K-12 students in renewable energy and incorporating conscious living practices into their daily lives.

  • Wednesday, March 24 – Day-Long
  • Location: Desert Research Institute Campus
  • Free for GreenPower schools

If you are interested in participating EMAIL Fayth Ross. NOT A GREENPOWER SCHOOL? CLICK HERE to get more info!

GALILEOSCOPE WORKSHOP! – Join featured instructors Lou Loftin and Curtis Coney, learn how to use a Galileoscope, and get 12 scopes for your school! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GALILEOSCOPES!

SPOTS ARE LIMITED, Call Sierra Nevada Journeys today to sign up! (775) 355 – 1688

PLT International Coordinators Conference! Sierra Nevada Journeys, Nevada Outdoor School, and the Nevada Division of Forestry are proud hosts of this year’s Project Learning Tree International Coordinators Conference in South Lake Tahoe. It is a unique opportunity to network with environmental education professionals from around the nation and world. THE CONFERENCE IS OPEN TO ANYONE!

  • May 17 – 20 at Harvey’s, Stateline
  • Join us for the whole week, or just register for a single day session!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION PACKET!

Contact PLT to register, or EMAIL Laurie at Sierra Nevada Journeys for more information. Interested in donating items for the Conference silent auction? All proceeds go to PLT Nevada and benefit the students of our state! EMAIL Becky at Sierra Nevada Journeys for more information.

SAVE THE DATE! Lamoille Institute for Educators Conference - Join Sierra Nevada Journeys for an amazing week enjoying the beautiful Nevadan landscape near the Ruby Mountains, while learning excellent hands-on environmental science lessons to enhance the great things you already do in your classroom!

  • August 2 – 6
  • Cost: TBD

It is not too early! Let us know if you are interested; call Sierra Nevada Journeys at (775) 355 – 1688; or EMAIL Laurie Gray to reserve your spot today! Check our website regularly for updates as the date gets closer, look forward to seeing you there!

Other Available Programs

Science and Environmental Education Workshops

Water Testing at PLT and Project WET Workshop, Stillwater NWR, November 2009
Water Testing at PLT and Project WET Workshop, Stillwater NWR, November 2009

We are proud to collaborate with the following organizations to bring Science and Environmental Education alive.

*Programs are correlated to Nevada State Content Standards and most provide opportunities for Nevada Department of Education Renewal Credit and/or graduate credit.

Project Learning Tree (PLT)

With modules for Early Childhood, Pre K-8th Grade, and secondary, topic-specific  modules, including, Forests of the World, Places We Live, Risk/Biotechnology, Energy and Society and more, PLT materials are widely recognized for their engaging, hands-on, activities that teach students “how to think, not what to think” about complex environmental education issues.  The interdisciplinary format of these modules allows for covering multiple state standards through the window of science.

Two early childhood workshop participants having fun pretending to be trees!
Two early childhood workshop participants having fun pretending to be trees!

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood

Project Learning Tree early childhood activities integrate nature-based exploration with art, literature, math, music, movement, and outdoor play into early childhood programs. All activities are aligned with the NV State Content Standards. The integration of nature into early childhood education is an important step to enhance our youth’s environmental literacy and their overall educational experiences. Sierra Nevada Journeys can provide your organization the necessary training sessions to assist in implementing Early Childhood PLT curriculum to complement the amazing instruction and activity already taking place at your organization! Workshops include cutting edge curriculum and materials, including a fun music CD. Contact us today, and CLICK HERE to visit the PLT website to learn more.

Project WET

In collaboration with Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, Project WET workshops, provide educators with activities and lessons that facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources.

GreenPower Schools Program

In partnership with DRI GreenPower Schools Program, Sierra Nevada Journeys offers three-hour workshops to provide educators lessons and activities to support and promote the use and development of “green” sources of energy in Nevada.   The partnership provides support for schools as they explore and implement concepts, curricula, and practices involving renewable natural resources, conservation and sustainability.

Additional Programs

TeamBuilding with Depoali Middle School at the Sky Tavern Challenge Course
TeamBuilding with Depoali Middle School at the Sky Tavern Challenge Course

Teachers observe and participate in lessons during their Journeys Outdoor School week at Grizzly Creek Ranch.  Reflecting on lessons and inquiry-based teaching strategies modeled by our faculty, teachers meet to discuss how this model will translate into application in their classrooms.  Lessons are developed for classroom use.

Sierra Nevada Journeys Whole-School Model Development Program

Designed for schools who participate in each of Sierra Nevada Journeys program options – Outreach, Journeys Outdoor School and Professional Development.  School-wide support is provided as a faculty adopts the philosophy of meeting school improvement goals through the window of Science.  Interdisciplinary unit planning and inquiry-based instruction provide the framework for this model.  Let us help you create powerful, engaging, differentiated instructional opportunities for your students.  This may include planning support for parent education nights and community involvement.

Leadership Institute For Educators #1

TeamBuilding with 21st Century Schools; Blindfolds make for more fun!
TeamBuilding with 21st Century Schools; Blindfolds make for more fun!

Open communication, respect, trust and collaborative problem-solving are elements embraced in successful schools, agencies, and businesses.  Through the participation in initiatives and teambuilding activities, school faculties or professional organization members will build positive relationships, learn to collaborate to solve problems, and enhance strategies to work through challenging scenarios that will have practical application upon return to the workplace.

Low and High Initiative Challenge Course

At our Grizzly Creek Ranch facility we use a high and low ropes course as a metaphor for life.  This provides a unique opportunity for schools and organizations to participate in a high level of positive risk-taking to

Up in the trees! High Ropes Challenge Course, TeamBuilding with Depoali Middle School

create community and cohesion within a group.  Using individual and team challenges to empower participants to move out of the normal comfort zone, (much like we ask students and employees to do on a regular basis) they will build trust and collaborative skills to tackle physical and mental challenges on the course.  New found trust, respect, creativity, positive risk-taking and leadership skills will foster productive work teams and professional learning communities when participants return to the challenges of school improvement and student achievement or business dynamics.

Positive School Culture Initiative

In an effort to support educators and schools as they strive to realize their school improvement goals and meet the challenges of providing for student needs through tiered intervention strategies and positive behavioral support systems, our Positive School Culture Initiative provides a site-specific, process approach to planning and implementing an effective system of school-wide behavior expectations, positive behavioral support and a culture of learning and school pride.  Contact us to discuss your school-specific goals.

Conferences

Educators enjoying the Lamoille Canyon hike at the 2009 LIFE Conference

The Lamoille Institute for Educators (LIFE) is a five-day professional development experience at Camp Lamoille in the Ruby Mountains southeast of Elko, Nevada.  Teachers of all levels and nonformal educators participate in fun, engaging, hands-on lessons that are aligned with Nevada state standards in Science, Math, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Health. Two NDE inservice credits or two university credits are available.

For more information about any Professional Development events, or to schedule a program, please contact Laurie at 775-355-1688, or laurie@sierranevadajourneys.org.