Happy Earth Month from the team at Authentic Exploration Matters(AEM)! While Earth Day is officially recognized on Monday, April 22, it is important to think of every day as. Earth Day! In order to help you empower positive changes for a more sustainable and healthy planet, we have used this week’s Resource Roundup to focus on a few activities, lessons, and opportunities to engage teachers, students, school communities, and beyond. Join the City Nature Challenge via the iNaturalist app on April 26, 2024 and help track biodiversity(link to Orange County FL in resource). Explore human-environment interactions with Population Education. Enjoy the magic of nature with Disney as you learn about the environment through activities. We have also provided additional links to a wide range of applicable lesson plans and activities that align with Earth Day. We would love to see any photos of how you, your class, or your school community have become environmental champions. You can email photos to the address listed in the signature area of this email. We would love to highlight the amazing things you are doing!
Keeping in line with Earth Day, AEM would like to share a few opportunities we have put together that are designed to both elevate environmental topics in unique ways while also building a community of like minded educators. Check out our upcoming events!
April 27, 2024 10am-2pm Explore the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary in Titusville. We will hike and have a scavenger hunt. Bring a water bottle and picnic lunch too! This is a FREE event. You can RSVP here… https://www.authenticexplorationmatters.com/event-details/leading-light-enchanted-gardens-scavenger-hunt-and-picnic
July 6, 2024 8:30pm to 10:30pm Join us for a magical Bioluminescence Kayak Tour of the Indian River Lagoon. We are doing the 8:30pm departure from the Haulover Canal location. Space is limited and costs $55/person.
It can be booked at ….. https://www.adayawaykayaktours.com/webapp/p/314/dinoflagellate-bioluminescence-kayak-tour
Once booked, you can RSVP at ….. https://www.authenticexplorationmatters.com/event-details/leading-light-bioluminescence-kayak-tour
August 24, 2024 we will participate in an AEM Discovery Day workshop. This PD is being hosted by ORCA(the Ocean Research and Conservation Association). Join our team in Vero Beach and learn about one of North America’s most biodiverse ecosystems, the Indian River Lagoon! Participants will have a chance to tour their education lab, learn about their work and how you can implement it in your classroom, and you will receive a two hour training on gathering specific scientific data for their “A Day In The Life” program. This workshop/PD has limited space and is free(you can give ORCA a donation if you wish). You can sign up at the following link and simply enter $0 in the price field….. https://www.authenticexplorationmatters.com/event-details/discovery-day-orca-ocean-research-and-conservation-association-inc
October 19, 2024 you can join AEM in New Smyrna Beach at the Marine Discovery Center for a Discovery Day workshop/PD. Be ready for a day of “Hands-on, Feet-wet” fun. We will be introduced to their efforts and then travel by boat to an island in the intracoastal waterway. Here you will learn about coastal habitats as you explore. It is highly recommended you wear close toed water shoes, clothes you can get dirty(possibly), and bring a change of clothes. We will also do a site walk and shuck! Spaces are limited and there is a cost of $50 plus $1.25 to cover the centers use of the boat.
To register for this PD workshop, simply click the link….. https://www.authenticexplorationmatters.com/event-details/discovery-day-marine-discovery
We are also working to engage a small group of educators in our summer Innovation Educator Retreat that we hope to have June 2-5, 2024. This multi-day retreat will be held in the Sarasota area and focus on coastal biodiversity. Participants will be engaged with opportunities presented by Mote Marine Laboratory, EarthEcho Intl at Robinson Preserve, and Authentic Exploration Matters. You can learn more about this immersive field experience opportunity by visiting our website and accessing this link ….. https://www.authenticexplorationmatters.com/innovation-educator-retreat
As AEM is here to support and elevate the educator community, we are always open to hearing ideas from teachers about workshop topics they would love to see! Have an idea? Simply send us an email at authentic.exploration.matters.kc@gmail.com and we will see if we can design a unique experience.
