Connecting the Learner to the Landscape
At Glacier's End: An Educator's Workshop
June 16-18, 2026
An Educators Workshop for Formal, Non-Formal and Pre-Service Educators
Connecting the Learner to the Landscape
An Illinois Natural Divisions Education Framework for Classroom and Field
Registration now open!
Space is limited - Register early to secure your spot.
About the Workshop
Dates: June 16-18
Join us for a three-day immersive workshop exploring the unique natural divisions of Southern Illinois. Learn hands-on strategies to connect classroom learning with the local landscape and earn Professional Development Credits. Activities include site visits, paddling, hikes, and engaging evening programs.
Workshop Schedule
Day 1: On Campus (Tuesday, June 16)
- Check-in and Welcome
- Sessions at SIU
- Lunch Provided
- Educator Resources Included:
Including IDNR Poster of Illinois Natural Divisions, ISGS Bedrock Geology of Illinois map, ISGS wall map Illinois Surface Topography, IDNH Cypress Swamp frameable photography poster, Illinois Conservation Association, Giant City State Park “100 Years of Conservation” heavy frameable poster, IDNR Large Rivers of Illinois poster, and more resources from IDNR, INHS, and partner organizations.
Evening Program:
Visit the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home for a guided tour of the “Father of Sustainability’s” geodesic Dome Home in Carbondale, Illinois—where he was regarded as the Pilot of Spaceship Earth, the Leonardo da Vinci of the Modern Age, and the Grandfather of the Future.
Day 2: Giant City State Park (Wednesday, June 17)
- Field Hikes at Giant City
- Lunch from Makanda Country Store (on the boardwalk)
- Dinner at Giant City Lodge
- Evening Program
Day 3: Cedar Lake & Pine Hills (Thursday, June 18)
- Cedar Lake Paddling Excursion
- Trail of Tears & Snake Road Exploration
- Lunch in the Field
- Certificate of Completion