Educator Workshop: BEETLES

NOTE: This Educator Workshop is intended specifically for educators — not the general public.

BEETLES Professional Learning Sessions are active experiences crafted to encourage instructors to look at different specific aspects of research-based science pedagogy and to inspire shifts in instructors’ thinking about their own teaching and learning. This session will cover the “Making Observations and Promoting Discussion Sessions” where we will learn how we can help learners make careful observations while encouraging wonder and curiosity and how productive talk leads to deep learning.

This is the first of two workshops as a partnership with the Western North Carolina Nature Center. The second workshop will cover “Questioning Strategies and Assessing for Learning” on February 20, 2027 at the WNC Nature Center. You do not have to sign up for both in order to attend one!

This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are available.

This workshop is free to attend, although advance registration is required. Limited to 25 participants. Registration for this workshop opens on this webpage on June 29, at 10 a.m.

Attendees are asked to bring their own lunch, although there is a restaurant on site.

General Clothing List

Much of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain or shine. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing, equipment and footwear are very important.

Equipment:

Daypack with enough room to carry extra clothing, water, lunch, camera, etc.

Water Bottle

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Sturdy hiking boots or closed-toed shoes are required

Notepad/paper

Pen/pencil

Additional Information

Educational Experience Forms will be available for certification hours and Continuing Education Credit for the instructor to sign off on. Grandfather Mountain may also serve as Criteria III – Site visit hours, but these hours must be gained outside of the time that the workshop takes place (i.e., prior to or after the workshop). Staff will be available to sign off on these site visit forms.

Cancellations

Grandfather Mountain events generally sell out and have a waiting list associated with the event. If you cannot attend the field course that you are registered for, please let us know. Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration, please call 828-833-6332 or email judi@grandfather.com.

We ask that individuals who are sick with any illness to stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants, our staff, and the field course instructors – refunds will be granted to these individuals.