Time: 9: 00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., PT 

Format & Length: In person, 6.5 hours

Location: Portland OR

Audience: Geared toward formal and nonformal educators working with grades K-8, but all grades welcome.

Materials provided:  Project WILD Aquatic WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide

Description: Join us at Leach Botanical Garden for a hands-on workshop focused on creating accessible outdoor learning experiences. Guided by the principles of Universal Design, we’ll explore Aquatic WILD through a mix of tabletop and trail activities designed to:

• Spark creativity and engagement for students with diverse abilities
• Build scientific understanding aligned with NGSS 
• Cultivate social-emotional competencies (SEC) 
• Create meaningful, inclusive experiences for all learners

At the close of the workshop, you’ll walk away with concepts to apply to your own work and a copy of the Aquatic WILD guide.

Dress prepared for time outside in varying winter weather conditions. Bring a notebook and a pencil, lunch, and water.

Considerations: This workshop includes time outside along trails during varying weather conditions. 

We will spend time inside, outside in a covered area, and outside  in open areas. We will take a walk outside in a natural setting with a creek, riparian area, vernal pond, and a variety of plants and trees. 

There are several trails to explore, including packed-gravel and paved paths with varying levels of difficulty.

The lower-level paths include an uneven 0.7 mile loop on a packed gravel path with steep stone steps, and potentially wet/muddy conditions. 

The upper trails include a .5 mile loop on a mix of packed-gravel and wide paved paths. 

A 0.8-mile paved trail offers a gentle 90-foot elevation gain and is accessible to wheelchair, walkers and other mobility devices. 

The site has parking, potable water and accessible restrooms.

Brought to you by: Leach Botanical Garden and Oregon Natural Resources Education Program (ONREP)

Registration required. Offered at no cost to Oregon educators. PDUs available. Substitute reimbursement available on teacher work days.