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.

Registration will close approximately one week prior to the workshop or when full.