Missouri Environmental Education Assocation 2024 Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the MEEA Conference! Here you will be able to see the schedule and location of events, learn about the exhibitors for our Table Talks, and even connect with other attendees.

Be sure to check out our sponsors and thank them!

7:45am CDT

Field Trips (Shuttle leaves at 8am sharp!)

Friday November 1, 2024 7:45am - 2:45pm CDT

Wonders Of Wildlife Parking Lot

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE SOLD SEPARATELY, NOT INCLUDED IN SATURDAY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION (limited to 30 attendees)

8:00 am- Shuttle pulls out of Wonders of Wildlife parking lot
8:20 am - Northwest Water Treatment Plant Tour
9:30 - Fantastic Caverns Tour
11:00 am - Vital Farms Tour
12:30 pm - Lunch Pizza Buffet at Millsap Farms, featuring freshly harvest produce
1:15 pm - Sustainable Farm Tour Millsap Farms
2:45 pm - Arrive back at Wonders of Wildlife, End of field trip

IMPORTANT INFO:

Required waivers attached for Landfill / Water Treatment Tours & Vital Farms Tour
NOTE: Participants under age 18 must have waiver filled out by parent or guardian
Clothing Requirements

o Full length jeans or khakis (no leggings or sweats, no rips of tears)
o Closed-toed, flat shoes (no sandals, heels, or wedges)
o All jewelry removed (including facial piercings, necklaces, bracelets) for Vital Farms Tour
o Cellphones must stay tucked away (no photos) for Vital Farms Tour
o We do have a safe place to store backpacks, coats, etc. for Vital Farms Tour

Speakers

Sarah Sims

City of Springfield Environmental Services Department

minor participant waiver pdf

adult participant site tour waiver updated 9 13 21 pdf

ECS Visitor Safety Information final pdf

Friday November 1, 2024 7:45am - 2:45pm CDT
Wonders Of Wildlife Parking Lot 500 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65807, USA

Field Trip

5:00pm CDT

Friday Night Social

Friday November 1, 2024 5:00pm - 9:00pm CDT

Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE SOLD SEPARATELY, NOT INCLUDED IN SATURDAY CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

This year's pre-conference social is really something special! Enjoy a tour of the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, then gather with your fellow conference-goers at 7 pm for conversation, fun, snacks, and learn about a few of the Springfield-area schools going green. We can't wait to see you!

Self-guided tours of Wonders of Wildlife are included in the ticket for this event. Go to the Guest Services desk to let them know you are with the MEEA conference, and they will provide you with a wristband. Please allow at least 2 hours for the tour, which means get there by 5 pm to make it all the way through the exhibits. You can arrive as early as 12pm for the tour, if you really want to take your time!

Friday November 1, 2024 5:00pm - 9:00pm CDT
Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Social

8:30am CDT

MEEA Member Meeting

Saturday November 2, 2024 8:30am - 9:00am CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

Join us for the annual MEEA Member meeting. Hear about what has been accomplished this year, and what's in store for 2025!

Saturday November 2, 2024 8:30am - 9:00am CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Whole Group Session

9:00am CDT

Conference Opening and Keynote Session

Saturday November 2, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

Speakers

Alexa Poindexter

Director of Full Circle Gardens, Ozarks Food Harvest

Cady Wolf

Full Circle Gardens Field Manager, Ozarks Food Harvest

Saturday November 2, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Whole Group Session

10:15am CDT

Life in the Dirt - Helping Students Understand Human Impacts

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Auditorium - Rm. 116

In this hands-on unit, students delve into the hidden world of soil organisms right in their schoolyard. Through engaging activities and observations, they'll uncover how these tiny creatures impact soil health and how human actions influence their environment. It’s a practical, eye-opening exploration of ecosystems and sustainability.

Speakers

Jennifer Boeyink Hartley

Education Program Supervisor, Botanical Society of America

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Auditorium - Rm. 116

Concurrent Session, 10:15 concurrent session

10:15am CDT

Nurturing Nature: Connecting Agriculture and Conservation for Educational Opportunity

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

This presentation will highlight the rich educational opportunities that emerge when we connect agriculture with conservation efforts. By exploring the intersection of sustainable farming practices and environmental stewardship, we can create engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire a deeper understanding of nature's interconnected systems.

Speakers

Tessa Poolman

Kansas City Community Conservation Educator, Missouri River Bird Observatory

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Concurrent Session, 2:45 concurrent session

10:15am CDT

Removing Barriers to Outdoor Recreation

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Room F

This presentation dives into 2023 participation rates in outdoor recreation with focuses on race, gender, and sexual orientation. Many people face barriers to outdoor recreation such as lack of financial resources and lack of transportation. Some barriers are more systematic targeting historically marginalized groups. After discussing these barriers, RCO will explain how they begin to remove them and create the space for more participation in Outdoor Recreation.

Speakers

Chris Geden

River City Outdoors, Thrive Outside Program Manager & Director of Community Engagement

Logan Faircloth

Community Engagement Coordinator, River City Outdoors

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Room F

Concurrent Session, 10:15 concurrent session

10:15am CDT

Teaching Air Quality, Making the Invisible Visible

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT

Room E

This presentation will delve into understanding and visualizing air quality, employing innovative
methods to make the invisible aspects of air pollution visible. Key topics include history of air quality,
composition of Earth’s atmosphere, the impact of particulate matter, and the phenomenon of
temperature inversions as it relates to the formation of ground-level ozone and increased pollution.

Speakers

Sarah Sims

City of Springfield Environmental Services Department

Saturday November 2, 2024 10:15am - 11:15am CDT
Room E

Concurrent Session, 10:15 concurrent session

12:15pm CDT

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words: Creating Visuals for EE

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

Visuals can reveal the depth and complexity of nature in ways that hands-on experiences can't. They are accessible to a wider audience than written materials. Learn what makes a high quality visual, evaluate visuals for their effectiveness, and generate ideas for your own teaching and programs.

Speakers

Jan Weaver

Independent

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Concurrent Session, 12:15 concurrent session

12:15pm CDT

Bright Spots! 3 short, engaging sessions

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT

Auditorium - Rm. 116

Three Back-to-Back Presentations in 1 Hour:

Human Impacts to Our Water Cycle (Katie Bruegge, Missouri Water Environment Assn) - Information and resources educators can use to incorporate water/wastewater/stormwater concepts into their curriculum. The message will highlight human impacts to our water cycle and the opportunities for students to participate in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition.

Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades K-8 (Melanie Carden-Jessen, Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree) - There are an estimated 57 million Spanish speakers in the United States today. Project Learning Tree United States, Mexico PLT, and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative are working to address the need of the Spanish speaking community. Their latest effort has just been introduced, Explora tu Ambiente: Guía de Actividades. This K-8 guide is not just a translation, this resource was written for Spanish speakers. We will be discussing why providing resources for the Spanish speaking community is so important and how this resource helps address the need.

Prairie Strips to Protect Farmland (Lilly Germeroth, Missouri Prairie Foundation) - Prairie strips are strategically placed prairie grass and wildflower plantings within row crops, and offer a powerful tool for enhancing soil health. We will explore the science behind prairie strips and their ability to reduce water runoff, nutrient loss, and soil erosion, as well as provide habitat for wildlife.

Speakers

Katie Bruegge

MWEA/KimHEC

I LOVE wastewater treatment! It is a fascinating industry with room for all - come talk to me about how you can learn more about water and wastewater.

Melanie Carden-Jessen

Sr. Instructor, Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree State Coordinator, Missouri State University

Melanie Carden-Jessen has taught everything from diapers to degrees, from daycare to elementary, from middle school to university. Her BS in ed Earth Science and an MS in Resource Planning landed her with the Missouri Department of Conservation for 15 years, first as an education... Read More →

Lilly Germeroth

Conservation Programs Associate, Missouri Prairie Foundation

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Auditorium - Rm. 116

Concurrent Session, 12:15 concurrent session

12:15pm CDT

Nerinx Goes Green(er)!

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT

Room E

During our presentation will cover three aspects of Nerinx Hall High School's journey to be GREEN! First we will talk about the U.S. Department of Education's National Green Ribbon that Nerinx was awarded in the spring of 2024. We will share things our community embraced to help us be more GREEN. Secondly we will share information about a service trip Nerinx holds annually to Costa Rica or Belize where students are immersed in learning about the environment and the animals in those distinct habitats. Finally, we will share information about the Loretto Motherhouse farm where our founding order is working to create sustainable farming in all aspects and includes students in that work when they visit each year.

Speakers

Dr. Molly Grumich

Nerinx Hall HS Principal

Beth Buchek

Nerin1 Hall

Dr. Kari Chambers

Nerinx Hall HS Science Department Chair

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Room E

Concurrent Session, 12:15 concurrent session

12:15pm CDT

Sowing Seeds for the Sunflower Institute

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT

Room F

Imagine the impact if we radically changed the way we educate the next generation. Instead of charging tuition, pay them $20/hour to learn! We are teaching skills that will help them feed themselves and their families. They will learn about the agricultural ingenuity of our ancesters, grow fresh produce, and reconnect with nature. After this experience, we want to have equipped these young people with the tools they need to gain employment, start their own businesses, grow their own food and become servant leaders in their communities. Nick and one of the graduates of the program will discuss its origins, their experiences in 2024 and what's next for the program in 2025.

Speakers

Nick Speed

Ujima Executive Director

Saturday November 2, 2024 12:15pm - 1:15pm CDT
Room F

Concurrent Session, 12:15 concurrent session

1:30pm CDT

Breath, Light, and Distance: Cloud Watching and Your Health

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

The Springfield Art Museum will share data and lessons learned from their recent exhibition of cloudscapes, which uses the science and psychology of viewing art and cloud watching to create a positive impact on viewers’ mental health and physical well-being.

Speakers

Joshua Best

Museum Educator, Springfield Art Museum

I am a Museum Educator at the Springfield Art Museum and the guest curator of the "Breath, Light, and Distance" exhibition. I am the proud recipient of the Springfield Regional Arts Council's 2023 Arts Ambassador Ozzie Award.

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Concurrent Session, 1:30 concurrent session

1:30pm CDT

GLADE: A Week of Restoration Ecology on the Prairies

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Room E

Teachers, do you have high school students who are interested in conservation? Encourage them to apply to GLADE – Green Leadership Academy for Diverse Ecosystems. This free, week-long camp inspires students to learn about restoration ecology, prairies in southwest Missouri, and environmental leadership. Learn and experience more about what we do!

Speakers

Justine Lines

Director of GLADE, Greater Ozarks Audubon Society- GOAS

Kendall Slaughter

Assistant Director of GLADE, Farm to School Coordinator SPS

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Room E

Concurrent Session

1:30pm CDT

Puppets are for Everyone! Strategies for Effective School Outreach

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Room F

Recycling education lays the foundation for students to take environmental action, but how do we access those audiences? Come see the puppet show, "How Recycling Changed my Life," a popular program we offer schools. We will also provide insights in how to promote and better serve diverse districts and learners.

Speakers

Benjamin Winkler

Environmental Representative, Schools Outreach, St. Louis County DPH

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Room F

Concurrent Session, 1:30 concurrent session

1:30pm CDT

Table Talks - Visit the Exhibitors

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Room D

Although the exhibitor tables will be available to visit during all our breaks, you also have the opportunity to visit them during this concurrent session as well!

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Room D

Concurrent Session, 1:30 concurrent session

1:30pm CDT

What Gets Measured Gets Managed: Basics of Greenhouse Gas Accounting

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT

Auditorium Classroom

Learn to use information on utility bills to set greenhouse gas emission reduction goals! In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of organization-wide greenhouse gas accounting, discuss emission examples, and work through practice cases. Tracking and managing your organization's emissions allows you to improve local environmental quality and public health.

Speakers

Sara Goldstein

Washington University Tyson Research Center - Undergraduate Research Fellow

Saturday November 2, 2024 1:30pm - 2:30pm CDT
Auditorium Classroom 2401 S Kansas Expy, Springfield, MO 65807, USA

Concurrent Session, 1:30 concurrent session

2:45pm CDT

ArchaeologEE: Using the Past in Environmental Education

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Auditorium - Rm. 116

What can the past teach us about sustainability and environmental quality in the present? And how can we use this information to engage and inspire our community of learners? This session will explain what archaeology tells us about precolonial human-environment interactions and provide easy-to-implement strategies for bringing these concepts back to your classroom.

Speakers

Emily Lange

Missouri State Parks - Senior Historic Site Specialist

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Auditorium - Rm. 116

Concurrent Session, 2:45 concurrent session

2:45pm CDT

EPA Region 7 Education Awards and Grant Opportunities

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Ballroom A, Darr Center

Learn about EPA opportunities for Missouri schools and educators, from the Presidential Awards program for students and teachers to grant opportunities related to environmental education and environmental justice.

Speakers

Leah Clyburn

EPA Region 7 EE Project Officer and EJ Coordinator

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Ballroom A, Darr Center

Concurrent Session, 10:15 concurrent session

2:45pm CDT

Teaching About Climate Change with PLT/WET/WILD

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Room F

Climate change is a complex topic and can be intimidating for your audience. Existing Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree activities, some with modifications, can help both formal and informal educators provide hands-on activities that present the topic of climate change holistically and engagingly. Environmental education is not isolated to water, forests, or animals. EE connects everything, and these activities may inspire you and your students to develop innovative solutions to address the challenges arising from climate change.

Speakers

Melanie Carden-Jessen

Sr. Instructor, Projects WET, WILD, and Learning Tree State Coordinator, Missouri State University

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Room F

Concurrent Session, 2:45 concurrent session

2:45pm CDT

Your Regenerative Agriculture Partnership Accelerator: 7 Strategies for Educators

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT

Room E

Join regenerative ag expert Nate Birt for a 50-word workshop empowering Missouri educators and nonprofits. With 12+ years in U.S. agriculture, Nate will explore regenerative agriculture's opportunities, offering actionable steps to engage programs, collaborate with farmers, and secure funding. Leave with resources to continue your journey. Questions welcome!

Speakers

Nate Birt

Founder, Silver Maple Strategies

It's great to meet you! My name is Nate Birt. I am the founder of Silver Maple Strategies. I help purpose-driven communication leaders in agriculture, conservation, construction, energy, finance, food, forestry, logistics, media, and transportation. I position them to accelerate massive... Read More →

Saturday November 2, 2024 2:45pm - 3:45pm CDT
Room E

Concurrent Session, 2:45 concurrent session

4:00pm CDT

Youth-led Call to Action

Saturday November 2, 2024 4:00pm - 4:30pm CDT

Auditorium - Rm. 116

We'll wrap up the conference all-together with this youth-led call to action. Kids from across the state will tell us about projects they are working on or environmental issues they are concerned about....and some specific help they need to move forward with their ideas. In real-time, attendees will be able to sign up to provide specific supports to help these young change agents. You don't want to miss it!

Saturday November 2, 2024 4:00pm - 4:30pm CDT
Auditorium - Rm. 116

Whole Group Session

4:30pm CDT

End of Day Raffle – You must be present to win!

Saturday November 2, 2024 4:30pm - 4:45pm CDT

Auditorium - Rm. 116

Saturday November 2, 2024 4:30pm - 4:45pm CDT
Auditorium - Rm. 116

Whole Group Session