FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington has announced its inaugural Nature-Based Education Summer Institute.

This professional development opportunity is designed to introduce both educators-in-training and those with extensive experience in the field to the growing movement where children learn developmentally appropriate curriculum based on their sense of wonder about nature.

The conference is scheduled from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25. Registration is in the North Dining Hall in the Olsen Student Center at UMF.

According to Patti Bailie, UMF assistant professor of early childhood education, the workshops will help educators connect to nature and connect nature to their classrooms.

The featured keynote speaker is David Sobel, noted educator and leader in the place-based education movement. Through his writing, speaking and teaching, Sobel has played a major role in promoting the way students learn about their environment and their place in it.

His areas of expertise include developmentally appropriate environmental education, place-based education, inquiry science, map making with children, cognitive development and developmental theory, school improvement, children and nature and parenting with nature. He is a longtime faculty member in the Education Department at Antioch University New England.

Registrants can select a Saturday morning and afternoon workshop in a number of natural settings in which they’ll learn how nature-based education benefits children and adults. Workshop sessions are offered on a variety of topics, including gardening and environmental stewardship, moving from play to nature-based curriculum, designing for natural play, exploring the natural world as artists, history that can be found in the woods and more. Lunch featuring locally-grown food will be provided.

Additional nature-based activity sessions will be available to registrants on Friday, June 24. These include experiencing a working homestead, nature writing on the Sandy River and exploring local trails in the Carrabassett Valley. Participants should bring their own picnic lunch.

Space is limited on both days, so those interested should submit their registration and payment soon to reserve their spot.

FMI: [email protected], www.nbeconference.weebly.com.