The Outdoor Classroom Institute

Come learn and explore in nature while earning your professional development credits - at The Outdoor Classroom Institute -

About this Event

The 2025 Outdoor Classroom Institute, " Winds of Change"

Join us at Clay Hill Memorial Forest for the 2025 Outdoor Classroom Institute(OCI).

This year's theme is "Winds of Change". The on site professional development event will take place on June 16- 20, Monday - Friday, ,from 9-4 ET. Monday - Thursday, teachers will learn from experts in four different fields. Friday is dedicated to teacher presentations. Each teacher will create a lessson plan from information they learned during the week that can be used in their classroom. These lessons will then be shared on Clay Hill's website for public access for all educators. In addition to 30 hours of professional development credit, teachers will receive a $250 stipend for their participation. The event is limited to a total of twenty P-12 Educators.

Event Highlights:

• Engaging workshops
• Expert speakers
• Networking opportunities
• Outdoor activities

Don't miss this chance to enhance your outdoor teaching skills and discover new ways to connect with nature. Join us at The Outdoor Classroom Institute and let's learn together in the great outdoors!

Monday June 16


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Sign - in and Registration

Info: A complimentary breakfast will be provided

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome to OCI: Overview of the event, agenda, and general housekeeping
Host: Clay Hill Staff

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

Info: 15 Minute Break for Restrooms and Resetting; Drinks and Snacks will be provided

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Lichens as bioindicators for air quality
Host: Roberta Burnes

🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

Info: A complimentary lunch will be provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
How clean is our air? Intro to air quality in Kentucky
Host: Roberta Burnes

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Break

Info: 15 minute afternoon break and refreshments

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
The Carbon Cycle and Climate Change
Host: Roberta Burnes

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Wrap -up

Info: Wrap up of Day 1 discussion and instructions for Day 2

Tuesday June 17


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Sign - in and Registration

Info: A complimentary breakfast will be provided

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Forest Disturbance Ecology
Host: Dr. Jonathan Moore

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

Info: 15 Minute Break for Restrooms and Resetting; Drinks and Snacks will be provided

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Forest Disturbance Ecology
Host: Dr. Jonathan Moore, Dr. Carlos Lopez, Dr. Marvin Ruffner

🕑: 11:45 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

Info: A complimentary lunch will be provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Forest Disturbance Ecology
Host: Dr. Carlos Lopez

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Break

Info: 15 minute afternoon break and refreshments

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Forest Disturbance Ecology
Host: Dr. Marvin Ruffner

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Wrap -up

Wednesday June 18


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Sign - in and Registration

Info: A complimentary breakfast will be provided

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
WKU Mesonet
Host: Mr. Shane Holinde

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

Info: 15 Minute Break for Restrooms and Resetting; Drinks and Snacks will be provided

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
WKU Mesonet
Host: Mr. Shane Holinde

🕑: 11:45 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

Info: A complimentary lunch will be provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
WKU Mesonet
Host: Mr. Shane Holinde

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Break

Info: 15 minute afternoon break and refreshments

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
WKU Mesonet
Host: Mr. Shane Holinde

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Wrap -up

Thursday June 19


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Sign - in and Registration

Info: A complimentary breakfast will be provided

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Kentucky Archeological Survey
Host: Eric Shlarb

Info: Project Archeology

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

Info: 15 Minute Break for Restrooms and Resetting; Drinks and Snacks will be provided

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Kentucky Archeological Survey
Host: Dr. Jay Stottman

Info: Project Archeology

🕑: 11:45 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

Info: A complimentary lunch will be provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Rural Urban Exchange Project EPOCH
Host: Shaelyn Bishop

Info: Learn about RUX and The EPOCH project

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Break

Info: 15 minute afternoon break and refreshments

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
RUX and EPOCH
Host: Bernard and Shaelyn

Info: Join us as we honor Juneteenth

🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:00 PM
Wrap -up

Friday June 20


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Sign - in and Registration

Info: A complimentary breakfast will be provided

🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Teacher Presentations

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Break

Info: 15 Minute Break for Restrooms and Resetting; Drinks and Snacks will be provided

🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Teacher Presentations

🕑: 11:45 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch Break

Info: A complimentary lunch will be provided

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Teacher Presentations

🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:30 PM
Afternoon Break

Info: 15 minute afternoon break and refreshments

🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:45 PM
Clay Hill as a resource for educators
Host: Dr. Moore and Ms. Berry

Info: Clay Hill as a learning site and field trip options as well as surveys, discussions, and certificates and celebration:)

Also check out other Workshops in Campbellsville.