Association of Nature Center Administrators (ANCA) CONNECTS: Louisville Nature Center: Discussion Topics by Daniel Auer

What is Open Space?

ANCAmembership — 2024-02-02 17:45:43 UTC

ANCA often conducts Open Space meetings where participants are invited to introduce topics and facilitate the discussions. In Open Space, all participants collectively suggest and select session topics and work together to create a session schedule for the given time frame. Open Space recognizes both the talent in the room as well as the topics important to attendees.

We will use this virtual bulletin board in advance of the meeting to share ideas.

If you suggest a topic and it is chosen as a session, you will be asked to introduce the topic and facilitate the discussion among the participants. Again, the facilitator does not need to be perceived as the expert in the room, so you can simply start the conversation and engage accordingly.

This system allows you to co-create your experience, and provides the opportunity for you to be an active participant rather than a passive listener.

Environmental Ed or Interpretation?

2024-03-09 21:55:02 UTC

Where do interpretation and environmental education overlap in your work? When is it helpful to distinguish between the two?

Last year I got to work with interpreters in Oregon State Parks!

waterscarolyna — 2024-03-09 22:00:45 UTC

Self Guided School Nature Trail

Jhochstetler — 2024-03-11 20:15:48 UTC

I am in the midst of creating content with 5th grade students to highlight various natural features on our school grounds. By May (hopefully) video content will be created and the community will be able to scan a QR Code which will share a video on say, why bats are important to our local ecosystem.

Conceptualization

Jhochstetler — 2024-03-11 20:19:42 UTC

I work at an intermediate school and after reflecting on our identity in the community have created a 3 pillars STEM program highlighting Agriculture (goats, chickens, bess, gardening), Engineering (robotics, design, coding) and Environment (we are located alongside the White River and a nature Preserve). We have lots of ideas, but are seeking help in fine-tuning the program. We'd also like to enhance our school's makerspace by adding a nature center feel to it.

ANCAmembership — 2024-03-25 15:10:47 UTC