Nature Field Seminar rrr

REGISTER

6.0 OEPA Contact Hours

Friday, May 7, 2010, at Kendrick Woods in Lima, OH
Friday, May 14, 2010, at Terradise Nature Preserve in Caledonia, OH

Cost: $99

An Inquiry-Based Exploration of Nature and Biodiversity

Observe. Investigate. Share.

Don’t just read about nature or passively accept facts; get out and explore the topics you’ve always wondered about, and uncover new interests along the way. Spend a day enjoying a local nature preserve and participating in an inquiry-based seminar that puts you in charge of the curriculum. You’ll learn about nature, biodiversity, and even develop your own learning and creative processes.

Who Should Attend
No expertise needed. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to think beyond the ordinary. Curious, inquisitive participants are welcome. This seminar is a whole new approach to professional development.

Course Description
Inquiring minds want to know, and Alloway’s Nature Field Seminar is the perfect opportunity to let your imagination guide you as you investigate nature topics of your choice. The seminar is designed as an inquiry-based exploration, meaning it centers on critical thinking and engaged learning, not lecture and rote memorization. Inquiry-based learning hinges on the principle that involvement leads to understanding. In other words, you’ll be seeking resolutions to questions and generating new knowledge in the process. The seminar is a combination of guided and open inquiries. You’ll work with facilitators and teammates, but the ultimate outcomes will be of your own design. This course is designed to promote the critical-thinking skills necessary for solving complex problems in the workplace and in our everyday lives.

Learning Objectives
You create your syllabus because you’re learning about nature-related topics that interest you. You’ll expand upon your observations and generate a comparative question and a prediction. From there, you’ll design an action plan, test your predictions, and collect data. In the process, you’ll refine your questions and hone your problem-solving abilities. You’ll have the opportunity to share your findings and participate in a dynamic learning environment.

Upon completion, you will:

• Understand the inquiry-based learning process (versus traditional learning methods).
• Explore topics that interest you under the nature/biodiversity umbrella.
• Experience local preservation attempts and learn how nature works.
• Learn what biodiversity is and why it’s important.
• Work in groups to generate knowledge in an adaptive learning environment.
• Expand your horizons and engage your curiosity.

COURSE AGENDA

Food and materials included in registration fee.

YOUR PARTNER IN SUCCESS
Alloway is a full-service commercial environmental testing laboratory located in Lima, Marion, and Mansfield, Ohio. Alloway provides analytical and field services to municipalities, industries, consultants, and other commercial laboratories. In addition, Alloway offers software, seminars, laboratory development, and training. With more than 25 years of experience, Alloway is a total laboratory solution and your resource for defensible data.

Click here for a recap of Alloway's Fall 2009 Nature Field Seminar.