Second Nature 2026: Full Schedule

10:45am CDT

Where Learning Breathes: Infant learning outdoors

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

As a Reggio-inspired and nature-based program, even our youngest learners spend a significant time outdoors. We will share how we achieve this and provide tips and tricks that you can implement the youngest in your program.

Speakers

Jenny Guavara

Teacher, Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Jenny possesses three years of experience with infants at Mill Creek Early Childhood Program, a Reggio-inspired, nature-focused educational setting. Noting that early learners are frequently underrepresented at conferences, Jenny is dedicated to supporting fellow infant educators... Read More →

Emily Braunsky

Mill Creek Early Childhood Program

Emily has five years of experience working with children, including three years at Mill Creek Early Childhood Program, a Reggio-inspired and nature-based setting. She continually seeks out innovative experiences and opportunities for infants and is eager to share her expertise.

Saturday October 24, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Oh, Deer! : Exploring Trees & Me and Growing Up WILD Curriculum

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Learn more about EEAI and our diverse continuing education opportunities. Explore several Project Learning Tree activities and create and take home solid examples to immediately implement in your lessons.

Speakers

Karly Tumminello

Director/Curator, Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University

Brekke Bounds

Executive Director, Environmental Education Association of Illinois

Brekke Bounds, the Executive Director of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, is an experiential educator with over 20 years of experience teaching across multiple subjects and across all ages. She is currently focused on training adult educators to bring environmental... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Adopt a Tree: An Accessible, Multidisciplinary Project

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Adopting a class tree is a rewarding experience that builds scientific observation and literacy skills, emotional development, and environmental kinship. We will explore ways to get started and maintain student engagement throughout the seasons.

Speakers

Melanie Stewart-Clarke

Nature Preschool Teacher, Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool

Melanie is currently a teacher at the Chicago Botanic Garden Nature Preschool. She has been teaching environmental education for well over a decade in various settings across the Midwest to audiences of all ages. She has a Master's of Environmental Education from the University of... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Water Coloring with Natural Pigments

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBD - Hybrid

Let’s spend some time water coloring with pigments found in our natural landscape and in our kitchens/classrooms. You will spend time painting and we will walk through the process of making a pigment.

Speakers

Renee Costanzo

Program Specialist, Chicago Park District

Renee Costanzo is the program specialist at Kilbourn Park's Greenhouse. She has been working for the Chicago Park District teaching early childhood and nature education for over 12 years. She runs the educational programming at the greenhouse and manages the surrounding gardens both... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBD - Hybrid

Spaces & Experiences