2010 NAIS Annual Conference Environmental Sustainability

BLOCK 1: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Brain Research as a Foundation for Strategic Planning: Designing Healthy Schools
The emerging body of research on the human brain has tremendous implications for the learning of every demographic in our schools. Can this research lay the foundation of your school's strategic directions, influencing curriculum, organizational structures, and even facility planning? Come to breathe deeply, engage the senses, and stimulate neurons.
PRESENTER: Michael Walker, Punahou School (HI)

The Independent School Experiential Education Network (ISEEN)
Experiential education has become a staple within many schools, through outdoor education, sustainability efforts, global travel, and service learning. How do these programs fit into the larger curriculum? Are they adding value for the cost? Are they safe? How do leaders develop professionally and stay on top of industry trends? Join leaders of ISEEN for this discussion.
PRESENTERS: Joshua Hahn, The Hotchkiss School (CT); Jessie Barrie, Albuquerque Academy (NM); Meghan Brown, The Westminster Schools (GA); Vicki Weeks, Lakeside School (WA)

Survive, Thrive, Imbibe, and Ingest
At Redwood Day School we have a commitment to project-based learning throughout our program. Cooking, integrated into the curriculum, is a superb tool to enhance learning, promote environmental awareness, and engender student responsibility to self and the global community. Learn how through images, anecdotal testimony, discussion, and a resource rich CD.
PRESENTER: Thelma Lancaster, Redwood Day School (CA)

BLOCK 2: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Design Thinking for Kids: A Stanford/Nueva Collaboration to Make the Dream Real
Learn how Design Thinking is changing the way our students think. Stanford University and The Nueva School are teaching the mindsets and processes to develop students into effective problem identifiers and solvers and nurture their creative confidence.
PRESENTERS: Kim Saxe, The Nueva School (CA); George Kembel, Stanford d.school (Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford) (CA)

BLOCK 3: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1:30 - 2:30 PM

Inspiring Students  through Sustainable Design and Curriculum
How does a school become more sustainable beyond the hype and feel good measures? This panel highlights the partnership between head of school, sustainability director, and an architect who designed a sustainable campus plan. Hear honest assessments of challenges along the way and how these three perspectives allowed the school to make steps toward a sustainable future.
PRESENTERS: Alice Moore and Lucinda Lee Katz, Marin Country Day School (CA); Scott Shell, EHDD Architecture (CA)

BLOCK 4: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Exploring Deep Integration of Sustainability in the Curriculum
This session will analyze new and innovative approaches to educating for sustainability, showcasing several independent school examples, with a special focus on Marin Academy, where topics such as food, energy, and social justice are key components. Participants will discuss strategies for integrating sustainability issues into their own school curricula.
PRESENTERS: Wynn Calder, Sustainable Schools, LLC (DC); Mark Stefanski, Marin Academy (CA)

BLOCK 5: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Smart by Nature: Schooling for Sustainability
Worried about the future of the planet? Join Head-Royce School, Marin Academy, and the Center for Ecoliteracy for a lively program about the vital and hopeful new movement of educators preparing young people to live sustainably. We will demonstrate ways to use principles of ecological literacy in food programs, campus facilities, and innovative curriculum development.
PRESENTERS: Crystal Land and Paul Chapman, The Head-Royce School (CA); Zenobia Barlow and Carolie Sly, Center for Ecoliteracy (CA)

BLOCK 6: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1:30 - 2: 30 PM

Making Sustainability Sustainable: Leveraging Support through Student Leadership
Sustainability efforts are often limited to projects or facility improvements with little impact on learning. How can we realize long-term sustainability, integrating green habits into the educational process and school culture? Learn how to promote sustainability by empowering student leaders, resulting in community buy-in, a new ethos, and a surge of support to "go green."
PRESENTERS: Shirley Ann Fukumoto, Hawaii Preparatory Academy (HI); Olaf Jorgenson, Almaden Country School (CA)

Patterns for 21st Century School Design that Inspire 21st Century Pedagogy
Imagine school buildings that inspire innovative instruction, collaborative interdisciplinary research projects, excellent student work, and community. Participants will leave understanding the implications of this century's gathering forces and have a clear idea of new ways to support 21st century skills through school architecture.
PRESENTER: Ashley Cadwell, The St. Michael School (MO)

As always, if you have any questions, please contact acdirector@nais.org or (202) 973-9700.