For over three decades, Willow Bend has been offering teachers and non-formal educators high-quality, locally-focused professional development opportunities. Our teacher workshops are usually offered in three or six hour blocks and are recognized by the Flagstaff Unified School District for seat hours and continuing education credits.
Willow Bend Teacher Workshops are usually free to participants. However, space is always limited and prior sign-up is required.
Upcoming
Past Workshops
Story Maps in the Classroom, February 22nd + 23rd, 9AM-3PM
Educators will collect and organize data and learn how to use and create map-centered digital stories through ArcGIS. This is a hands-on workshop. Over the course of two days, you will move from collecting and organizing data to mapping that data to finally creating a story map with the data. By the time you leave on Sunday, you will have a finished product. Our hope is that by going through the entire experience in the workshop, you will be better prepared to guide your students through this process.
Formal and non-formal teachers welcomed, recommended for grade 3 teachers and above. Limited space available, RSVP to reserve your spot.
Click here to register for the Story Maps in the Classroom Teacher Workshop.
Climate Change and Renewable Energy, January 25th, 9AM-3PM
Join Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the City of Flagstaff Sustainability Section to learn about climate change and renewable energy curriculum and teacher check-out kits (4th-12th grades). The first section of the workshop will cover the 2020 Youth Climate Summit, local climate change threats and how you can mentor youth through a climate action project. The second section of the workshop will cover renewable energy teacher check-out kits and prepare mentors for the KidWind Challenge. Workshop is free and open to teachers and nonformal educators. Lunch included.
Frances Short Pond, Friday October 5th 2-5:30PM
Willow Bend will be leading an afternoon teacher workshop to Frances Short Pond* exploring this urban outdoor gem through hands on educational activities, review of check out kits, available resources, and more.
The workshop is designed for K-5 teachers and non formal environmental educators who want to take students on field trips to the pond or design in-class activities that focus on local wildlife, habitats, and watersheds. Specifically, the workshop will cover pond and cabin history, facilitate a few fun wildlife focused activities that can be done on or off site, conduct basic water quality testing, and review check out kits and materials available for teacher use at the cabin.
Workshop is open to K-5 teachers and non-formal environmental educators.Limited spots! Please register asap.
FUSD teachers, please register on TrueNorthLogic course #49667 to receive 301 funding. All others can sign up on our website.
Picture Canyon Saturday, October 6th, 8:30AM-12:30PM
Willow Bend will be leading a morning teacher workshop to Picture Canyon Natural and Cultural Preserve*. Participants will explore this unique open space on a 3 mile hike covering the natural and human history, highlighting points of interest (including the petroglyphs and the waterfall) and sharing fun hands on activities. The workshop is designed for teachers and non formal environmental educators.
We will meet at Picture Canyon. Participants should provide their own lunch, and be ready to spend the day outside (weather permitting).
FUSD teachers, please register on TrueNorthLogic course #49668 to receive 301 funding. All others can sign up on our website.
Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond, Nov 4th 8:30AM-3PM
Willow Bend be leading a Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond teacher workshop on Saturday, November 4th from 8:30am-3pm. Participants will explore both locations and learn engaging and educational hands on activities and in-class program ideas, review available teacher resources and kits, learn how to conduct a bioblitz and how to use inaturalist, and hear from experts and guest speakers.
Participation certificates will be awarded upon completion.
Grant Writing for Environmental Education Profesionals, June 16th 10AM-1PM
A Rio Runs Through It, September 17th 8:30am-3:00pm
Willow Bend will be leading an outdoor, Rio de Flag and open space focused teacher workshop. The workshop will include a visit to Picture Canyon and Frances Short Pond. The workshop will include a visit to both locations, as well as ideas for in-class activities. Workshop is currently only open for teachers partnering with Willow Bend on the Rio Runs Through It project. Teachers not partnering on the project, who still want to participate can contact Cassandra Roberts at cassandra@willowbendcenter.org.
Renewable Energy - Wind and Solar, October 8th, 8:30am-1pm
In partnership with Wind for Schools and Prometheus Solar we will be leading an educational workshop about wind and solar energy. From the very basics of renewable energy to hands on classroom activities and access to teaching materials and kits.
Limited spots. Sign-up required.
Workshop Schedule:
8:30 – Arrive and introduction about workshop and willow bend
8:45 – The science of solar, Ryan Hotlz, Prometheus Solar.
9:30 – Solar teacher activities, Moran Henn, Willow Bend.
10:15 – Short snack break
10:30- The science of Solar, Karin Wadsack, Wind for Schools.
11:15– Wind teacher activities, Karin W.
12:00 – Wrap up and summary
12:30 – Certifications