CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The Call for Presentation submission deadline has passed.
Notice of acceptance is expected around end of June -- via email.

___________________________

 

North American Association for Environmental Education

33rd Annual Conference

 

NAAEE is “Casting a Wider Net for Environmental Education”

 

 

Calling on all Environmental Education Research and Program Leaders

 

The next few years will be pivotal ones for the field of environmental education and our sister fields of environmental interpretation and sustainability education. The partnerships we develop and the decisions we make will profoundly alter the future and quality of education in the formal, nonformal and informal settings. At this year’s conference, join other educators, research specialists, funders, agency representatives, organizational leaders, and EE stakeholders to learn about new directions and initiatives, debate, strategize, hone your skills and perspectives, and support the work that is raising our field(s) to a new level of professionalism and impact.

 

 

Conference theme and strands.

 

Why the Theme “Casting a Wider Net for Environmental Education?”

Our ability to reach out and be inclusive of all who can benefit from the power of EE is key to the long-term success of the field in today’s pluralistic society. By “Casting a Wider Net for EE”, we increase our ability to develop needed initiatives and collaborations that lead us forward in the arenas of EE advocacy, accreditation, certification, diversity, professional development, research and more. Recent advances in those areas, in fact, have put us in a better position to broaden our base and impact.

 

What will be Emphasized at the Conference this Year?

 

• Team-managed strands. A qualified team for each strand will select and coordinate its presentations, from beginning to end. Participants will have the option of staying with a strand or moving between them.
• All welcome. While the strands help coordinate and organize sessions, this year, we will also have an “Open Mic” for innovative research and programs of relevance to our community and partners.
• Quality not quantity. We are striving to “raise the bar” on the quality of the sessions across the board. Session presentations are being solicited that address the needs of the variety of participants who will attend the conference.
• Listening and “singing with different choir”. NAAEE welcomes presenters who have never before provided a session at our conference. We hope our conference will be an inviting forum for new ideas and expanded outreach.
• Spotlight on the community and state. We wish to continue the tradition of a community service in Biloxi this year. Additionally, a locally motivated topical strand will examine the forest and watersheds of south Mississippi.

 

 

What are the 2004 Conference Strands?

 

This year’s NAAEE conference has 7 strands. For each of them, we are looking for presentations that provide one or more of the following elements:

·        Insightful research findings

·        Proven program models

·        Skills development

·        Dialogue facilitation

 

Each strands will combine an (i) Opening Symposium, (ii) Concurrent Sessions, and (iii) a Closing session for culminating discussions.

 

Stands. Below is a short description of the strands.

 

1. Developing the EE Profession- This strand will provide a history of how far we’ve come in developing EE as a profession and opportunities for advocating continued growth in the future. It will also provide participants with an introduction and an opportunity to participate in the development of initiatives such as Certification of Nonformal Educators, National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) specialty area standards for EE, online EE Materials Review, and the Guidelines for Nonformal Programs and other initiatives. Leaders of these and other initiatives aimed at developing and expanding the profession are invited to submit session proposals. This strand will help us address the question: What are the next steps needed to see that the field of EE continues to grow and improve as a profession?

Need more info? A full description of this strand can be seen here.

 

2. The Business of EE - Leadership Development and Institutional Building - This strand will explore successful models and resources geared to increasing skills in organizational leadership and management, which often lie outside the training of EE professionals. Potential topics may include: Marketing and Advertising, Personnel Management, Budget Management, Fundraising, Facility and Property Development, and Volunteer Management. Session leaders who have inspiring program and/or research results to share, and are able to offer practical hands-on skill development to conference participants, are encouraged to apply. This strand will help us address the question: How can we build strong, effective leaders and organizations in EE?

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

3. What Research Has to Say to Environmental Educators - This strand will build on the 2003 Anchorage Research Symposium and engage both researchers and educators. By learning what researchers are discovering from their inquiries and thoughtfully considering implications for practice, we aim to elevate work throughout the field of environmental education. Conference organizers encourage proposals from (a) researchers willing to synthesize and present findings from a selected body of research and (b) educators who have built their programs on research and want to present their work highlighting findings from their evaluations. This strand will help us address the question: Based on what the research shows, what should we be doing (or be doing more of or be doing differently) to achieve our goals?

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

4. Cultural Diversity in EE Programs

Our conference theme, "Casting A Wider Net for EE" communicates NAAEE's interest in involving a diverse and expanded community of individuals and organizations in environmental education programs and leadership. Presentations about programs that work in innovative ways with different cultural groups are invited. We are especially interested in efforts that address the environmental needs and interests of various cultural groups through education in its broadest sense, but which may not typically be viewed as environmental education. This strand will help us address the question: “How do we expand our vision of environmental education to include the needs and interests of diverse cultural groups?" 

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

5. Sustainability Education This strand looks at the evolving nature of sustainability education. In addition to highlighting current education initiatives that involve components of the “triple bottom line” (environment, economy and society), this strand will provide an update on sustainability education activities within the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UN DESD) and related initiatives. This strand will help us address the questions: Where is the field of sustainability education heading? and How can the fields of EE and ESD be good partners?

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

6. Topical Smorgasbord: Watersheds and Forestry- This strand is the first of what we hope will be a regular series of topical investigations on subjects of special relevance to the region where the conference is being held. This year, we will look at innovative approaches educators have taken to forestry and/or watersheds issues, showcasing new initiatives and successes in those areas. Potential session leaders who have an inspiring training program, conservation effort, and/or research results to share are encouraged to submit proposals for informative and/or practical hands-on sessions. Examples of appropriate topics are non-point source pollution (polluted runoff), wetland functions, forest management/education practices, forest biodiversity, the influences of education on the improvement of natural resource management techniques and more. Many of this year’s field trips will be related to these very topics. This strand will help us address the question: How are educators communicating the important, current issues in the areas of forestry and watersheds?

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

7. The “Open Mic” Strand- If you find that your current research or work does not fit one of the above strands, yet you feel that the field of environmental education should or needs to hear what you have to say, this strand is the place for you! NAAEE will be accepting a select number of "cutting edge" proposals that will bring unique and noteworthy tools and practices to the field.  The application of your research or program can be narrow or broad. Our only criteria is that it be highly innovative in nature, providing those who attend the conference with the ability to break away from the deliberate strands and learn about or develop skills in something new. This strand overall will help us address the question: “What are some of the innovative new programs and/or directions in thinking in the field of EE that fall outside of the selected strand areas?”

Need more info? A link to a full strand description can be seen here.

 

 

Proposal submission and review.

Note: NAAEE's Web-Based Conference Management System is the preferred tool tool for submissions.

 

How Do I Apply to Lead a Session?

 

1. Please review the strand options and session types below. Then, decide which of these would be the best fit for your proposed presentation.

2. Follow the Proposal Submission Guidelines below.

3. Submit your proposal(s) by May 20th, 2004 either:

a. Online (strongly preferred)

or

b. Hard copy (with electronic copy on diskette or CD) mailed to:

NAAEE

Attn: 2004 CFP

2000 P Street, NW Suite 540

Washington, DC 20036-6921

*Please note that individuals may submit or be listed as a co-presenter in no more than three (3) separate session proposals.

 

Who Will Review and Select Proposals?

 

Proposals for each strand will be reviewed by a select team of experienced leaders representing the strand area. For example, members of NAAEE’s Research Commission, along with lead educators, will select the proposals for the “What Research Has to Say to Environmental Educators” sessions, while members of NAAEE’s Diversity Committee will select proposals for the “Cultural Diversity in EE” session. Selected presenters will be invited to participate in the Opening Symposium of their strand and/or to lead a session (of one type or another) following the symposium, then to participate in their strand’s closing session discussions.

 

 

SESSION FORMATS.

 

1. For Conference Strands:

 

Full/Traditional Presentations (45 minutes)

These sessions focus on a topic or program and typically involves a 30-minute presentation, followed by 15 minutes for discussion and questions, although this may vary

 

Mini-Presentations (15 minutes)

These sessions focus on a single topic or program and provide participants “the bottom line” on innovative research and programs, with the opportunity for them to follow-up with presenters afterwards.

 

Poster Sessions (1 hour & 45 minutes)

Poster reports on EE research. Also, for the first time, a separate area with poster reports on innovative programs and projects. Multiple Poster sessions will run simultaneously with participants freely flowing from one poster to another. Note: No AV equipment is permitted for poster sessions.

 

Hands-on Sessions (1 hour & 45 minutes)

Hands-on sessions deal with a single topic or program, in an interactive setting where participants can have an open unstructured discussion of the program or topic with an experienced expert. Not intended as a lecture/discussion.

 

 

2. For Pre-Conference

 

Workshop Sessions (Pre-Conference). (10 hours)

These are sessions that aim to develop specific professional skills or competencies and relate to the practical side of one of the seven strands. This format stresses involvement by the participants, providing methodologies or programs they can implement. Note: Participant fees must cover expenses detailed in Workshop Guidelines and Worksheet, which must be submitted with a workshop proposal.

For more information, click here to go to the Workshop Guidelines.

 

Proposals must be received by the close of business Thursday, May 20th, 2004.

 

AV Equipment. Audio-visual equipment available, upon request, for full, mini- and hands-on presentations will be: a slide projector, overhead projector, screen and flip chart. Additional AV equipment will be available at the presenter’s expense. More detailed information will be provided with proposal acceptance notices.

 

Note: All presenters are required to register and pay published conference fees by the Early Bird Registration deadline of September 7, 2004.

 

 

REGISTRATION & SCHOLARSHIPS

 

Costs: Early Bird Registration (September 7th) rates for full conference participation are $275/members and $350/non-members. Student registration fees will be about half the cost.

Accommodations at the headquarters hotel, The Grand Casino Biloxi Bayview Hotel rates are $99 single or double occupancy. Additional information regarding alternate accommodations, fees, field trips, etc. will be posted on the NAAEE website by late spring 2004.

 

Scholarships: NAAEE offers a limited number of scholarships to ensure that the cost of attending the annual conference does not exclude environmental educators with limited funds. As might be expected, more requests are received than can be possibly funded, but we encourage you to apply. For further details, please revisit the NAAEE website in late spring.

 

 

 

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

In preparing your Presentation Proposal for consideration, please follow the Submission Guidelines outlined below CAREFULLY.

Proposals must be received by the close of business May 20th, 2004, either:

a. Via online submission (strongly preferred)

Click here to access and complete the Electronic Submission form.; or

 

b. By mail (hard copy with electronic copy on diskette or CD) sent to:

NAAEE

Attn: 2004 CFP

2000 P Street, NW Suite 540

Washington, DC 20036-6921

 

If submitting your presentation proposal by mail, please be sure to type it (no handwritten proposal accepted) and answer all questions, following the structure of the outline below (which has the same structure as the electronic form).

 

----- PAGE 1 of Presentation Proposal:

 

1. Session Title. Provide a short title (maximum 7 words) that is interesting and to the point.

 

2. Primary Presenter. Primary contact for any clarification and for notices. Please provide:

Salutation (e.g., Mr.),

First and Last Name of Primary Presenter,

Affiliation (Organization, Agency, etc.),

Street Address,

City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code,

Country,

Daytime Telephone, Fax, Email.

 

Indicate whether you are an NAAEE member or not.

 

3. Additional Presenters. If more than one presenter is to be involved, provide the same information for each additional person.

 

4. Signature and Date (hard copy proposals only).

 

 

----- PAGE 2 of Presentation Proposal:

 

Presenter / Session Title (Repeat as header to each page)

 

5. Strand. Indicate the strand (or strands) you believe best fits your proposal by placing “1” in front of your first choice. If applicable, you may indicate a second choice of strands with a “2” and a third choice with a “3”. Although your proposal may not apply to more than one strand, indicating a second (or third) strand options (where applicable) may help conference planners find the best fit for your session.

Ø      Developing the EE Profession

Ø      Leadership Development and Institutional Building

Ø      What Research Has to Say to Environmental Educators

Ø      Cultural Diversity in EE

Ø      Sustainability Education

Ø      Topical Smorgasbord - Watersheds & Forestry

Ø      “Open Mic”

 

___Please check here if you would like your proposal to be considered in the "Open Mic" strand in the event that it is not accepted in your strands of choice.

 

7. Summary. Provide a short (40 to 50 word) abstract of your proposed session that is accurate, concise and engaging. It must include your objectives and expected outcomes. If your proposal is accepted, this summary will appear in the conference program.

 

8. Description. Provide a detailed description (250 word maximum) of your proposed session. This should include an explanation of its relevance to the conference theme

and your ‘first choice’ strand. This will be used exclusively by proposal reviewers. (Please refer to the specific guidelines for each strand at .

 

9. Preferred Format. Indicate the session format you believe is most appropriate to your proposal: Full/Traditional Presentation, Mini-Presentation, Poster, Hands-on, or Workshop.

 

If your preferred format is not available, would you will accept the poster format?

---/ Yes ---/ No

 

10. AV Requirements. No computers will be provided. Indicate the equipment you will need, if any:

_/ Overhead projector; _/ Slide projector; _/ Flip chart _/ Other (at presenters expense): _________

 

11. Room Set-up. For Hands-on proposals, specify your preference: classroom, roundtable or theater style seating. Full and mini presentations are theater seating only.

 

NOTE: Only three (3) proposals will be considered from any given person or team of persons.

 

NOTIFICATION

Notices of acceptance, rejection or alternate format acceptance will be mailed to all primary contacts by early June, 2004.

 

Session Acceptance Letters will advise the session schedule (day, time, room).

Primary Presenters (as indicated on the Presentation Proposal Form) are responsible for notifying his/her fellow presenters about scheduling information. Presenters will be encouraged to submit a paper for inclusion in the 2004 Conference Proceedings. Details about submitting papers will be included with acceptance letters.