Second Nature 2026: Full Schedule

10:45am CDT

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

Nature preschool classrooms are open spaces like theater stages. With this analogy, explore strategies for teachers balancing the role of director, stage hand, writer, and actor while supporting the daily routine. The class must go on!

Speakers

Madeline Cole

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

Accessibility & Inclusion

10:45am CDT

Not a Stick! But was a Stick: making toys and tools from sticks

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

TBD - Outdoor

Empower the youngest students to use sticks and simple tools to make toys and tools. we will make magical musical whammy doodles, Spinning Ron Rons, mallets, fairy furniture and more!

Speakers

Sean Shaffer

Nature Engagement Specialist, Chicago Park District

Sean (he/him) has been doing informal early childhood and environmental education for over 30 years from Kohl Children's Museum, The Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Shedd Aquarium and The Chicago Park District. In his latest role, he helps create Nature Play Spaces in Parks, designed... Read More →

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

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Creating Nature Art with Natural, Reusable and Repurposed Materials

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

TBD - Outdoor

Creating nature based art doesn’t have to be just sticks, wood cookies and pine cones. You will discover ways to make art with a limited budget using typical art supplies, natural materials, repurposed materials and more!

Speakers

Jenna Downing

Teacher, Oak Leaf Northwest Nature School

Jenna is a teacher with Oak Leaf Northwest Nature School and owns Adrift & Found Art Studio. She has a Masters in Education from DePaul, a BA in Communication Studies/Minor in Art from the University of Iowa and Level 1 Nature Based Teacher Certification from the Association for... Read More →

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

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

Designing for Discovery: Hands-On Nature Play Aligned to Illinois Early Learning Standards

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

TBD - Outdoor

Participants will work in collaborative groups designing standards-aligned nature play activities using natural materials and loose parts. Participants will leave with concrete ideas they can immediately adapt for their own early childhood settings, as well as tools for planning future standards-aligned nature play experiences with intention and confidence.

Speakers

Dr. Lindsay Maldonado

Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education, Northeastern Illinois University

Lindsay holds a Ph.D. in Child Development. She is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University, and currently serves on the NINPA Board of Directors.

Stacy Niemiec

Founder, Executive Director, & Teacher, River Oak Co-op Outdoor Preschool

Stacy holds a BS in Environmental Science, an MS in Child Development, and a certificate in Ecotherapy. She is a founder and teacher at River Oak Co-op, a fully outdoor preschool program in Chicago. Her focus is providing a play-based, child-led program where children can find joy... Read More →

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

Spaces & Experiences

12:45pm CDT

The Classroom Prairie: Restoring Early Childhood Education

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

TBD - Outdoor

Children are expected to do more at an earlier age, oftn causing unnecessary issues. This session connects basic land restoration principles to early childhood education and shows how prairies are perfect metaphors for successful classrooms.

Speakers

Peter Dargatz

Nature Kindergarten Teacher, Hamilton School District

While his claim to fame might be as a retired racing sausage for the Milwaukee Brewers, Peter Dargatz is prouder for being a father of three nature-loving children, a national board certified teacher, and the coordinator of a well-respected, public school nature kindergarten program... Read More →

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

Spaces & Experiences

2:00pm CDT

Embracing Nature: Integrating Outdoor Learning Principles into Education

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

TBD - Outdoor

Discover innovative, practical strategies for integrating nature-based learning into early childhood settings. Explore some of the key elements of authentic nature-based experiences—including sit spots, loose parts, and environmental stewardship.

Speakers

Alysa Meeks

Director, The Nest Nature School

Alysa Meeks is the current Director of The Nest Nature School in Boerne, TX. She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH and has been in Early Childhood for 14 years, with 8 of those years being in Nature-Based programs... Read More →

Emily Smith

Certified Trainer, Texas Early Child Professional Development System

Emily Smith holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University. She is a certified nature educator through Association for Nature Based Education and a registered trainer through Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System. She has been in education for... Read More →

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

Accessibility & Inclusion

2:00pm CDT

Imagination in Action: Teaching Conservation Through Play and Storytelling

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

TBD - Outdoor

Spark curiosity, wonder, and empathy in young children through play and storytelling. This hands-on session shows how nature-based, imaginative experiences make big ideas accessible and inspire children to care for the environment.

Speakers

Emily Shatoff

Community Engagement Coordinator, Brookfield Zoo Chicago

Emily has seven years of experience in informal science education at zoos and museums. She has a B.S. in Middle Childhood Education from Miami University and is pursuing a master’s in Biology through Project Dragonfly. Emily is also a Certified Interpretive Guide, which she uses... Read More →

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

Accessibility & Inclusion