Earthy Chats Podcast
by Outdoor Learning School & Store/CBEEN, and Stoked on Science
Join us for wide-ranging chats with environmental educators about best practices, changing trends, and new insights about the enviro. ed. field. Ian Shanahan from Green Teacher and Jade Harvey-Berrill from the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) and Stoked on Science facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas. Join the conversation!
Episodes
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Nature-based therapy
In which contexts is nature-based therapy most effective? What does it have to do with attachment theory, stress reduction theory, and attention restoration theory? How can nature help both children and adults (therapists included) stay regulated? Nevin also discusses outdoor risky play, when...
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Garden-based education
Have you thought about starting a garden to use in your teaching? What if you’re in an urban area? Perhaps you’re working on a shoe-string budget. How can you get started and, most importantly, keep a garden going once the initial excitement fades? These are some of the questions and challenges...
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Winter tips and insights
Jade is our resident chionophile (look it up), so she popped over to the other side of the mic for this episode about outdoor learning in places where winter is cold and snowy. There’s talk of winter mystery bags, using snowflakes as lessons prompts, connections to literacy, and the importance of...
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Outdoor learning for assessment and social-emotional learning
Prepositions matter in this episode, specifically that three-letter word ‘for.’ What is outdoor learning ‘for’ assessment? How can we facilitate outdoor learning ‘for’ social-emotional learning (SEL)? Teacher, writer, podcaster, and regular sit-spot practitioner Lauren MacLean of Teach Outdoors...
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Indigenous wellness and language learning
There has been a sharp increase over the past decade in educational resources from Indigenous perspectives. What can we look for when selecting such resources? Which gaps remain, and how do we address them? Launa Payne and Sherrelle Anderson of Rise Up Indigenous Wellness joined us to discuss…
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Nature and heritage interpretation: yesterday, today, and tomorrow
With Parker McMullen Bushman of the National Association of Interpretation and Ecoinclusive How has the field of interpretation changed in recent decades? What opportunities do digital tools open up for interpreters? Where can we look for guidance in telling uncomfortable stories and reconciling...
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Fireside Chat: Truth and Reconciliation — where to start?
In our first fireside-chat episode, we hear from multiple voices to unpack different aspects of Truth and Reconciliation. The idea here is to invite curiosity, reflection, and discussion. We’ve heard from many folks over the years that they’d like to learn more but aren’t quite sure where to…
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Learning through a watershed lens
Ian and Jade are back for this two-part episode! In Part 1, the co-hosts begin to unpack the use of watersheds as an integrating context for learning (AKA, watershed education). In Part 2 starting at the 12:45 mark, we return to an episode of the Talking with Green Teachers podcast from the…
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Episode 20: Learning in, about, from, and for nature
What are some common barriers to learning in nature? How can we shift the paradigm whereby learning about nature is prioritized? What are some key lessons we can learn from nature? How does learning for nature also benefit learners? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: the purpose…
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Episode 19: Giving outdoor learners the “experiential edge”
How does outdoor education differ from outdoor learning? What is the “experiential edge” for both young people and adults? Why does outdoor learning often diminish or stop with older learners? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *embedding outdoor learning into the everyday...
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Episode 18: From eco-anxiety to eco-action
How can we support educator manage their own eco-anxiety and that of their students? What is the process of moving from eco-anxiety to eco-action? Why is it so important to acknowledge, name, and sit with the complex emotions associated with environmental concerns? Here's what else we dove into…
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Episode 17: Soil study and inquiry
What’s the value of learning about soil? How can educators engage their students in soil studies if they lack expertise? Why do so many people feel happier when they get their hands dirty? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the differences between soil and dirt *using…
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Episode 16: Community collaboration in built environments
What’s the most impactful length for educational programming? How does community collaboration help us manage challenges? Why is intergenerational learning so effective? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the opportunities brought about by virtual learning *getting back to...
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Episode 15: Forging nature-based connections
What is a ‘nature sommelier’? How are seeing and noticing different? Why is storytelling such a powerful outdoor learning tool? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *formative moments in Jacob’s childhood as a “wild child” nature explorer *children’s right to interact with Vitamin N...
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Episode 14: Awakening to the lessons of the land
How do outdoor learning and various Indigenous teachings overlap? What are some existing inequities in teaching and how can we address them? Why is the land such an effective teacher? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *exploring (and sometimes talking to) plants *how Jenna's...
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Episode 13: Talking astronomy with ”Astro” Stephenson
Why teach astronomy? How important is each and every one of us in the universe? Where in popular culture do we see references to space and astronomy? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *Tim's childhood visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida *the (many) differences between...
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Episode 12: Natural curiosity through an Indigenous lens
In what ways are the land and water shaped by children's questions? How can educators light a fire of inspiration in their learners? Why do many Indigenous teachings lend themselves so well to inquiry-based learning? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *adopting a framework that...
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Episode 11: Teaching about climate change
What does effective climate change education (CCed) look like? What role does outdoor learning play in it? How has the field changed over the past thirty years? What is the "new kid on the block" in CCed? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *the shift in environmental education…
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Episode 10: Take Me Outside
What is it like running across Canada in nine months? How can outdoor learning become an inherent part of K–12 education? What roles does digital technology play in outdoor learning? Here's what else we dove into in this Earthy Chat: *insights from Colin's 7600-km run across Canada to promote...
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Episode 09: Messy maths and dirty teaching
Why do we have to jump through hoops just to take classes outside? What are the systemic barriers to outdoor learning? How can an outdoor "classroom" function as a leveler? These are three of the core questions we discussed with Juliet Robertson of Creative STAR Learning. Here's what else we dove...
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Episode 08: Water insights from the headwaters to the open ocean
What would water tell us if it could talk? How can each of us strengthen our relationship with the waterways and water bodies near our homes? Our special guests from Ocean Wise and Water Rangers joined us to discuss these questions and more, as we covered as much territory as Canada has coastline...
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Episode 07: Playing in the muck, art activities, and the walking curriculum
Friend of the show Gillian Judson was joined by artist Adelle Caunce for this lively discussion. Adelle's newest creation, the book Playing in the Muck and Other Art Activities, was designed to accompany Gillian's book, A Walking Curriculum. Here's a taste of what we covered in this Earthy Chat:...
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Episode 06: Reconnecting with the land through a child‘s eyes
The new children's book Sila and the Land was co-authoured by Ariana Roundpoint, Shelby Angalik, and Lindsay Dupré — each from a different Indigenous community. Ariana joined Ian and Jade for this Earthy Chat. Here's a preview of what they discussed: *finding common ground among Indigenous…
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Episode 05: Returning to the heart of a river
The Heart of a River is back in print, and author Eileen Delehanty Pearkes joined Ian and Jade to mark the occasion. Here's a sampling of what they discussed: *being "tapped" to write The Heart of a River and letting the river speak *the complexity of reconciling with a colonial past *finding…
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Fables from the Field 2021: Field notebooks, sketching, and the art of record-keeping
Do you have to be an artist to make field sketches? Do you have to be a poet to make field notes? How is record-keeping like poetry? In what way does it engage us in creative problem-solving? Ian and Jade discuss these questions, while sharing stories of their own outdoor note-taking experiences,...
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Fables from the Field 2021: Dip nets, fish massages, and rockpooling (in tidal pools)
Grab a dip net and go! You might soon find yourself inadvertently getting a fish massage. Maybe you'll give rockpooling a go. If you're not sure what rockpooling is, you'll find out after hearing a story of crustacean drama in a shrinking tidal pool on Vancouver Island. Ian and Jade also share...
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Fables from the Field 2021: Magnifiers, minerals, and charismatic microfauna
How can something as simple and inexpensive as a magnifying glass be such a powerful outdoor learning tool? In what ways can we use magnifiers to engage some students with diverse learning needs? Is getting an up-close-and-personal look at "bugs" a means of helping students overcome their fear of...
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Fables from the Field 2021: Rain, rain jackets, and watersheds
What's "bad weather"? For that matter, what's "good weather"? What learning opportunities open up when the clouds burst? How can we optimize watershed-based education? Jade and Ian unpacked these questions, while sharing stories of flooded jungles (on two different continents) and capping off…
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Fables from the Field 2021: Binoculars and bird (mis)adventures
Our Fables from the Field summer sub-series continues with Ian and Jade discussing times when binoculars factored prominently in outdoor experiences, from observing a perched Bald Eagle with 12 remarkably patient children to receiving the stink eye from a group of birders (or is it...
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Fables from the Field 2021: Sit pads and sit spots
In this first episode of our Fables from the Field summer sub-series, Ian and Jade discuss the value of sit spots, slowing down while out in nature, and the usefulness of sit pads. They also share stories from past adventures in Iceland (when a sit pad would have come in quite handy). Also, do…
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Episode 04: Gardening as an entry point to thinking big
Ft. outdoor and garden educator Kaci Rae Christopher In the fourth episode of Earthy Chats, co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with outdoor and garden educator Kaci Rae Christopher, author of The School Garden Curriculum! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *growing a...
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Episode 03: Braiding Ktunaxa knowledge into learning
Ft. Aboriginal Education Coordinator Faye O'Neil In the third episode of Earthy Chats, co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with educator Faye O'Neil of the ?aqam Community in the Ktunaxa Nation! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *a childhood in nature *gaining knowledge...
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Episode 02: Meet the Envirosongsters!
Ft. Envirosongsters Peter Lenton (aka Peter Puffin) and Remy Rodden In the second episode of Earthy Chats, co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with the Envirosongsters, Peter Lenton (aka Peter Puffin) and Remy Rodden! Here's a sneak-peek at what was discussed: *the birth of the...
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Episode 01: Imaginative Ed. and a Walking Curriculum
Ft. Dr. Gillian Judson of imaginED and the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University The premier episode of Earthy Chats has arrived! Co-hosts Jade Harvey-Berrill and Ian Shanahan chatted with Dr. Gillian Judson of imaginED and the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. Here's a...
About this show
Join us for wide-ranging chats with environmental educators about best practices, changing trends, and new insights about the enviro. ed. field. Ian Shanahan from Green Teacher and Jade Harvey-Berrill from the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) and Stoked on Science facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas. Join the conversation!
Hosted by
Outdoor Learning School & Store/CBEEN, and Stoked on Science