Open-air education for all ages inside Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
It's a sunny winter day at Dunes Learning Center, and program participants are giggling as they try to collect enough "food" tokens to make it through winter before being caught by a "predator." This active version of "freeze tag" is very popular with students. But in this case, the workshop particpants are all adults.
"It doesn't matter how old you are, learning is more meaningful when its fun," says Dunes Learning Center Education Director, Erin Crofton.
This year's weekend workshop offerings range from half-day professional development opportunities for educators to overnight experiences that the whole family can share. Presented by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Great Lakes Research and Education Center, and Dunes Learning Center education staff, these open-air learning opportunities are led by experts in science, geology, and education. Each features hands-on activities and adventures within the national lakeshore, PLUS lots of great materials to take home.
Workshops begin with Growing Up WILD in October and continue through June, when artist Bonnie Zimmer will present a day of nature-themed crafts. Details and registration information can be found online at www.duneslearningcenter.org.
2013-2014 Workshop Schedule
Growing Up WILD: Exploring the Douglas Center’s Nature Play Zone
Playing in nature will be the theme of this workshop featuring the national lakeshore’s new Nature Play Zone. This workshop explores strategies for building on children’s sense of wonder about nature. Participants will practice activities for pre-school and early elementary education using the Growing Up WILD activity guide, and take home resources.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12, 9:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
Location: Douglas Center
Climate Clinic
Local scientists and park managers showcase the latest research and tools for understanding how climate change is affecting our region in this Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic, presented in partnership with Purdue University Calumet. Participants will receive a copy of Purdue’s new toolkit on climate change and try out some of the activities.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 23, 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Location: Douglas Center
Teacher-Ranger-Teacher Show-n-Tell
Two local teachers will share lesson plans and activities developed for their own classrooms after spending the summer working at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Take away tried and tested lesson plans to use in your own classroom and learn about the behind the scenes work that local teachers can do with this interesting teacher internship.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 11, 10:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m.
Location: Douglas Center
Flying WILD
Don't let the cold weather keep you indoors! Winter is a great time to learn about local birds. This workshop will provide formal and non-formal educators with an opportunity to explore the avian world and try several Flying WILD activities. Participants in the full workshop will receive a guide to take home.
Date: Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Location: Douglas Center
Dunes History Series: Focus on Maple Sugaring
This overnight workshop with a sweet theme will take participants through a history of maple sugaring as well as the science of the maple sugar bush. Participants will assist in tapping maple trees and enjoy a variety of foods prepared with this tasty product. Immerse yourself in the local traditions of maple sugaring—from the Native American origins to modern day techniques—in this retreat-style workshop. Appropriate for all ages.
Date: Feb. 21–22, 2014, 5:00 p.m. Friday – 4:00 p.m. Saturday
Location: Dunes Learning Center
Dunes Ecology: Focus on Reptiles and Amphibians
Our region and its diverse wetlands are home to many species of reptiles and amphibians. This in-depth, overnight workshop will take participants into the field to monitor the health of these sensitive species. Educators and parents will enjoy learning hands-on activities that they can share with children, and local citizens
will learn about volunteer opportunities to assist in monitoring projects. Appropriate for all ages.
Date: March 28–29, 2014, 5:00 p.m. Friday – 4:00 p.m. Saturday
Location: Dunes Learning Center
Project Learning Tree and Arbor Day Celebration
Celebrate Arbor Day and explore a wide variety of hands-on, interdisciplinary activities that teach about the environment using forests and trees as a window to learning. Each participant completing the full six-hour workshop will receive a newly updated Project Learning Tree activity guide, packed with 96 broad-based, easy to use (and fun) activities! Activities were developed by a team of educators and resource experts and have been tested in classrooms across the country.
Date: Saturday, April 26, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Dunes Learning Center
Dreams of Duneland Bus Tour with Dr. Ken Schoon
Dr. Ken Schoon’s new book, Dreams of Duneland, will be the focus of this workshop and road trip. The day will start with a presentation by Dr. Schoon, followed by a tour of interesting sites highlighted in the book. Participants will receive a copy of Dreams of Duneland and spend the day immersed in dune history.
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Meet at Dunes Learning Center
Nature Craft in the Dunes
Spend the day being guided in creating several projects inspired by native cultures, local materials, and your creative intuition. Local artist, Bonnie Zimmer, will lead this fun interactive workshop titled Natural Selection: Intuitive Sculptures. Session 1: Totemic Sculptures, will open with a brief presentation on native cultures. Participants will then be guided in creating unique sculptures using locally harvested natural and found materials. (These sculptures will make wonderful garden ornaments). Session 2: Woven Vessels, will begin with a look baskets—from the earliest humans to contemporary large scale willow sculptures—for inspiration. Participants will learn a random weave technique using pliable reed to create a basket/vessel or sculptural form. This workshop is designed for beginning to advanced levels of artists. Participants are encouraged to bring additional materials.
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2014, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Dunes Learning Center