ELA: Webinar: Deeper Learning Through Ecology

Green infrastructure, pollinator gardens, food gardens are increasingly integrated in PK-12 learning environments. This session will describe how the built environment and natural settings can facilitate deeper learning, an approach to education that not only seeks to achieve traditional academic standards, but also seeks to foster innovation in problem solving, collaborative work, effective communication, inquiry, and critical thinking. By integrating blue-green infrastructure and deeper learning approaches, communities can establish a pipeline of leaders and innovators.

Park School of Buffalo has used its 34-acre campus, including extensive green infrastructure, natural area, and wetlands, to facilitate deeper learning in a PK-12 environment. In younger age groups, the built environment can facilitate open ended play and interaction with the natural world. As children interact with the environment, they start to engage in scientific inquiry and work to help solve problems they observe. In this session we will illustrate learning through blue-green infrastructure, including hearing student perspectives on their own learning project and other examples across the age spectrum. Finally, we will discuss how designing for deeper learning both aligns with and differs from traditional design considerations.

Presenter Bio

After two decades as a scientist at Stanford University, Sheryl Davies relocated with her family to Western New York and became immersed in both the theory and practice of ecologic landscaping. Sheryl has a deep knowledge of native plants, with a soft spot for sedges and landscaping with the natural conditions of a site. Her design work focuses on all things water – streambanks, riparian areas, wildlife ponds, mineral soils, raingardens and residential stormwater. She consults with homeowners and landscape professionals wishing to incorporate native plants into gardens of any style, identify and control invasive species or foster play and discovery outdoors. She is designing a garden at Dream Island, home of the Williamsville Castle, that reflects the historic nature of the gardens using ecologic principles and native plants. With a competing passion for education, Sheryl has founded the Dream Island Initiative that aims to engage students in deeper learning and innovation through ecology.

Continuing Education Credits are being sought for this program.