WORKSHOPS

 

Nature Play SA is excited to be offering an inspiring range of professional learning opportunities for educators.

 

These new offerings will provide educators with the opportunity to explore outdoor learning and curriculum connections, the link between innovation, STEM and nature as well as developing the confidence to engage with Nature Pedagogy.

 

The ‘Wittunga Sessions’ are a series of after school or half day workshops to explore different focus areas for outdoor, nature-based learning. We have also developed a ‘Roadshow’ series of professional learning offerings that come to you. This is a product designed for communities who prefer to work on site or in their local area and can all be tailored for partnerships or school clusters.

THE WITTUNGA SESSIONS

The Wittunga Sessions #1

 

STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments

 

Aimed at Early Learning Educators this session will explore what nature-based STEM inquiry looks like for early learners. Attendees will take away practical and inspiring ideas to engage children in deep and meaningful connections with their natural world.

 

This STEM inspired workshop will explore practical ways that nature-based learning environments encourage young children to investigate, create, inquire, observe relationships, make predictions and problem solve.

 

The practical and hands on outdoor workshop will give educators the opportunity to:

  • Apply critical and creative thinking skills to promote, capture and further explore children’s natural curiosity about the world around them and their place within it
  • Explore ways to incorporate routines and resources to promote STEM-rich learning environments
  • Design programs to embed STEM skills and thinking into everyday learning
  • Review current and leading STEM and Nature Play research and resources including NPSA’s ‘Learning Outdoors Benefits / Risk’ resource

 

Date: Saturday 15th September

Time: 9am – 1pm

Cost: $108 members plus GST, $120 non members plus GST

Morning tea provided

Location: Wittunga Botanic Gardens

 

 

 

“I would love to bring the whole junior campus team to Wittunga for the workshop. It was a perfect day!

 

Perfectly held workshop on premises and I really enjoyed the sensory walk!

 

It was a great session with an engaging mix of information presented through a range of mediums and practical experiences.

 

It was a brilliant day. Really enjoyed it. Full of great ideas and inspiration. Thank you!

 

A very memorable and powerful session”

The Wittunga Sessions #2

 

Outdoor Learning in a South Australian Context

 

This session is aimed at primary educators and will offer a practical examination of how outdoor learning environments can be used to deliver Australian Curriculum content.

 

The workshop will connect outdoor learning with all three domains of the Curriculum. We will reflect on the ACARA Outdoor Learning Connection Resource, which provides a framework for students to experience guided, integrated learning across the curriculum in natural environments. Educators will develop an understanding of this document and how it can add value to programming, practise and documentation.

 

This practical workshop will give educators an opportunity to:

  • Discover new ways to facilitate and deliver content of the Australian Curriculum in an outdoor learning environment
  • Participate and engage in curriculum connected outdoor classroom sessions
  • Work with NPSA staff and participants to recognise and plan for experiences that connect General Capabilities to outdoor learning experiences

 

Date: *Expressions of interest taken for a Term 4 Workshop

Time: 9am – 3pm

Cost: $170 members plus GST, $177 non members plus GST

Lunch and morning tea provided

Location: TBC

 

 

“Yesterday’s workshop just made all the difference to how I am feeling about what I do and what is possible. I am really looking forward to going to school this morning and ‘really’ starting some outdoor learning with my class. I have spent several hours since yesterday afternoon researching, downloading and reading outdoor learning material and feel very inspired! Thank you for your enthusiasm, passion, commitment and hard work.” 

 

–Janet – Macclesfield Primary School– 

 

I attended the PD at Seacliff SLSC a couple of weeks ago and have been totally inspired! Now doing 30 mins Outdoor Learning every day with my class before anything else and loving it!

 

— Paula – Old Noarlunga Primary School–

The Wittunga Sessions #3

 

Nature Connection in an Out of School Hours Care Service

 

Aimed at providers of out of school hours care programs, this workshop will enable providers to develop 39 weeks of nature play and nature connection activities to build into the Before and After School Care programs.  Over the two days, this outdoor learning session will focus on cubby building, small world play, weaving, risky play, storytelling, stick and loose parts play.

 

Day 1 will include theory and practical sessions to inquire into nature connection through arts, STEM, challenge and risky play, construction, small worlds, cubbies, weaving, natural elements, literature connections, storytelling and drama. This will be a jam-packed day to explore practical sessions for the OSHC setting.

 

Day 2 will begin with a practical nature-based session, before participants work together to gather ideas and new learning to develop a broad resource of OSHC and nature connection ideas for every season / school term.

 

Date: TBC (register your interest for a Term 4 Workshop here)

Time: 9.30am – 2.30pm

Cost: (2 days) $300 pp members plus GST, $330 pp non members plus GST

Lunch provided

Location: Wittunga Botanic Gardens

 

The Wittunga Sessions #4

 

Teaching in an Outdoor Learning Environment

 

Aimed at Primary Educators and Site Leaders this workshop will  explore how to set up for success in the outdoors and work with confidence in an outdoor learning environment.  It offers participants the opportunity to explore the dynamic and sometimes challenging aspects of outdoor learning and nature play and will provide you with  practical ‘next steps’ to ensure your site is ready to take learning outdoors. 

 

Learn about developing a nature connected site culture, daily routines and a community approach to outdoor learning. Gain the skills and knowledge to develop initiatives such as cubby building, loose parts play, barefoot (sensory) exploration and mud/water play on site.  

 

Throughout this workshop participants will:

 

  • build their own outdoor learning kit – the ‘grab’ bag to support learning outdoors
  • create resources to support outdoor learning adventures, made from recycled, and readily available materials
  • learn how to tie a range of knots and weaving techniques to use with children
  • build small and large structures from natural materials
  • write benefit / risk assessments to support a range of outdoor play initiatives
  • develop an outdoor learning toolkit to support everyday practise
  • consider routines that can be easily developed to get you startedAt the conclusion of this workshop, you will have identified a practical pathway to support your sites journey into learning outdoors.

 

At the conclusion of this workshop, you will have identified a practical pathway to support your sites journey into learning outdoors.

 

Date: Saturday 3rd November

Time: 9.30am–2.30pm

Cost: $170 Members plus GST, $177 Non members plus GST

 

Lunch provided

Location: Wittunga Botanic Gardens

 

 

 

Professional Learning Roadshow Opportunities

 

At Nature Play SA we value the opportunities to offer professional learning on site and within the context of your specific educational setting.  We are pleased to be able to bring our workshops, seminars and presentations to your site to explore:

  • STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments
  • Connected Curriculum: Outdoor Learning in a South Australian Context
  • STEM Back to the Future

 

Contact us to discuss possible dates to explore how we can bring this learning to you!

Roadshow #1

 

STEM in Nature Based Early Learning Environments

 

Explore what nature-based STEM inquiry looks like for early learners and take away practical and inspiring ideas to engage children in deep and meaningful connections with their natural world. In this STEM inspired workshop, we will explore practical ways that nature-based learning environments encourage young children to investigate, create, inquire, observe relationships, make predictions and problem solve.

Min-Max number of participants: 15-30

Cost: $45pp members plus GST (3 hr session), $50pp non members plus GST

$100pp members plus GST (6 hr session), $110pp non members plus GST

*Additional costs may apply for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: Indoor and outdoor space

 

 

 

Roadshow #2

 

Connected Curriculum: Outdoor Learning in a South Australian Context

 

This workshop offers a practical examination of how outdoor learning environments can be used to deliver content of the Australian Curriculum. Throughout this day we will be connecting outdoor learning with all three domains of the Australian Curriculum.

Min-Max number of participants: 15-30

Cost: $60pp GST  for members  – 3hr session, $66pp GST for non member – 3 hr session

$120pp GST  for members  – 6hr session, $132pp GST for  non member – 6hr session

*Additional costs may apply  for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: Indoor and outdoor space

 

 

 

Roadshow #3

 

STEM Back to the Future

 

Join us to explore ways to engage middle and upper primary students to develop STEM skills in a nature-based setting.  Learn more about how an ‘old school’ outdoor learning environment can deliver the tools of the future for older students.  Discover the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ as well as the ‘how to’ as we take our learning outside.

 

Min-Max number of participants: 15-30

Cost: $60pp GST  for members  – 3hr session, $66pp GST for non member – 3 hr session

*Additional costs may apply  for sites outside metro area.

Location Requirements: school grounds (open outdoor space)