Environmental Science Education – IslandWood Homepage
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF
PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN
SUMMER CAMPS
Summer camp 2021 registration is now open! While many camps are sold out, there are still a few spots available for pre-K and Kindergarten campers!
From marine science to cooking to journalism (and everything in between), we have camps for a variety of interests and age levels, from pre-K through 8th grade.
We will be closely following state and federal health & safety guidelines to ensure a safe, healthy, and happy summer camp experience for your children. Learn more about our safety protocols here.
MORNING AND AFTERNOON ECOLOGISTS
Spring Session Registration Open Now!
The spring session of this 8-week program begins on April 16 and ends on June 4th. We are offering morning and afternoon sessions on Fridays.
Designed to align with Washington’s 3rd – 6th grade science curriculum, the program gets students learning outside, safely connecting with friends, and strengthening science knowledge and problem-solving skills.
We’re committed to offering this opportunity for all 3rd – 6th graders who want to participate and are offering tiered pricing and scholarships.
HAND IN HAND NATURE HIKES
We’re excited to offer another series of Hand in Hand Nature Explorations in the new year! Designed for 3 and 4-year-olds and their adults, themed sessions run on Tuesday mornings, and will include a short hike, a story, and an activity. Register for just one session, or join us for the whole series!
PROGRAMS FOR CURRENT & FUTURE EDUCATORS
When It Rains, It Pours
IslandWood instructors lead this free virtual stormwater science program for your classroom!
Registration is now open for the next round of “When It Rains, It Pours”, our new virtual science program for Seattle-area schools. This three-lesson program builds students’ understanding of the critical impact that the stormwater cycle has on their communities and local ecosystems.
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We’re expanding our reach to high school teachers with our new Community Science teacher professional development course! This free, virtual course helps teachers collaborate with IslandWood educators and each other to gain tools and strategies to make science learning come alive through hyper-local investigations.
Registration is now open for our Educator Philosophy & Positionality workshop, coming up on March 27! Through self-reflection, this workshop will help science educators become more equitable and inclusive by exploring their philosophy to education, personal identities, and more.
Learn more and register for upcoming workshops and courses here →
ISLANDWOOD GRADUATE PROGRAM
Now accepting applications for the IslandWood Graduate Program Class of 2022!
Given COVID-19 guidelines, we’ve adapted the program to follow a hybrid model, combining virtual classes with a socially-distanced in-person practicum. While we look forward to a time when more of our program can be safely conducted in person, we’re excited to still be able to offer the opportunity for students to live and teach on campus, have regular Zoom meetings with their mentors, and form a strong community.
PROGRAMS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
2021 ANNUAL BAINBRIDGE ISLAND ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE
The theme of this year’s conference is Our Forests: Bainbridge Island and the Climate Crisis.
Passionate about Bainbridge Island’s forests and wildlife? Want to learn more about the impact of climate change, and what you can do about it? Join city, state, and regional scientists for the free, virtual 2021 Bainbridge Island Environmental Conference! Each Sunday throughout March, we’ll be hosting a community conversation on the research and best practices for stewarding our natural environment in the face of climate change.
Feel free to sign up for one session, or join us for all four!
Skills of a Naturalist
Build your skills and deepen your knowledge in this five-week series of outdoor classes! Staff naturalist Christina Doherty will guide you on explorations of IslandWood’s forest, strengthening your botany, wildlife tracking, zoology, birding, marine ecology, and forest observation skills along the way. Feel free to register for just one lesson, or sign up for all five.
WINTER FAMILY HIKES
Offered one Saturday and Sunday each month, these free hikes on our Bainbridge Island campus are a great way to safely connect with loved ones and enjoy the beauty of winter. See how many species of evergreens you can find, cross the Suspension Bridge, and visit our magical Bog Treehouse!
WHAT'S FOR DINNER WEDNESDAY
If you’re like us, by Wednesday, you’re wondering what to make for dinner. That’s why we created What’s for Dinner Wednesday, offering delicious to-go dinners each week!
Each Wednesday, our kitchen will offer a new entrée option, alongside a selection of a la carte options and beverages. Best of all, by ordering your Wednesday dinner, you’re supporting our innovative environmental education programs!
OUR APPROACH
Through place-based, culturally responsive, experiential environmental science education, we take urgent issues and make them relevant to young people, shedding light on the power we all have to change the world for good. This approach prepares the next generation of inspired environmental problem solvers to work together to make an exponential impact on the planet, now and in the future.
OUR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSIVITY (JEDI)
At IslandWood, we are focused on building a race equity culture. We are focusing on race equity, not because we believe other inequities don’t exist or aren’t vitally important, but because in the United States one’s race – more than any other factor – is the biggest determinant of educational outcomes, wealth, health, exposure to environmental pollutants and hazards, and life expectancy.
We understand there is an inextricable connection between educational justice, environmental justice, and racial equity. This work is not ancillary, or “outside” of IslandWood’s mission. It is central to our work in environmental education, and of inspiring healthy communities and a healthy planet.
OUR IMPACT
OVER ONE MILLION HOURS IN NATURE
Since our founding, IslandWood has provided children with 1.7 million hours spent learning in nature. And counting!
119,000+ STUDENTS REACHED
We have reached 119,000 students with innovative environmental education programs.
STORIES
February 26, 2021
Donor Spotlight: Steve Garlid, Teacher, Bryant Elementary
Steve Garlid, a teacher at Bryant Elementary, first heard of IslandWood ...
February 3, 2021
Donor Spotlight: Eddie and Martin Westerman
From the minute Eddie Westerman stepped foot on IslandWood's Bainbridge ...
February 1, 2021
Culturally Responsive Teaching: what it is and what it looks like at Islandwood
“Culturally responsive teaching” is everywhere at IslandWood. From our w...
UPCOMING EVENTS
HAND IN HAND NATURE EXPLORATIONS
SKILLS OF A NATURALIST
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