From November 5th to 9th, our team traveled to Pittsburgh for the North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) Symposium and Conference—a vibrant gathering of educators, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. For Gabriela, Katarina, and Marco, this trip was more than just a conference; it was a chance to connect, learn, and inspire.
Gabriela attended as a member of the advisory board of the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), a role that positions her at the intersection of some of the brightest minds in environmental education worldwide. Meanwhile, Katarina stepped into the spotlight as part of the prestigious 2024 class of NAAEE’s 30 Under 30, a recognition given to emerging leaders shaping the future of environmental learning. Marco, on the other hand, represented our project Fast Fashion? Fast Forward! (4F), sharing its outcomes and exploring fresh ideas from the realm of U.S. environmental education.
In this final installment of our series, I share the highlights of my time in Pittsburgh—an experience of cultural immersion, meaningful collaboration, and renewed inspiration.
Check out Gabriela and Katka’s stories.
Marco’s Experience: Sharing 4F and Learning Across Continents
Landing in the United States for the first time felt surreal, even though, growing up in Europe, I had already absorbed so much of American culture through movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts. One of my favorites, “Da Costa a Costa,” by an Italian journalist, had prepared me—or so I thought. But stepping onto U.S. soil, especially in Pittsburgh, a city known for its hard-working character rather than Hollywood glitz, was a completely different story. This was America in its authentic, day-to-day grind. To top it off, we arrived just as the country was gripped by election day fever, making it an anthropological experience like no other. I saw firsthand the tension, the excitement, and finally, the outcome that held the country’s collective breath.
And then there was the remarkable scale of everything—the streets, the food portions, the buildings, and the wide, sweeping landscapes. Everything was bigger, including Pittsburgh’s bridges. Fittingly, the theme of the symposium was “Building Bridges,” a poetic nod to the city’s claim (shared by a friendly local at a brewery) that it has more bridges than Venice. True or not, it’s a fun story to share back home.
My main mission in Pittsburgh, however, went beyond sightseeing or cultural immersion. I was there to represent the Fast Fashion? Fast Forward! (4F) project, sharing our results and learning from the best in U.S. environmental education. Presenting our work was surprisingly smooth, largely because of the American inclination for open interaction. Conversations flowed easily, whether I was talking to educators, environmentalists, or curious visitors. In the U.S., people love to connect, share stories, and exchange ideas, making it an ideal environment for showcasing our project.
The research symposium, quieter and more intimate with around 200 attendees, offered a fascinating academic perspective. It highlighted a common approach among U.S. researchers: building on existing educational programs and rigorously studying their impact on students’ environmental awareness. One standout session explored Nature Journaling and its effects on competencies like “Valuing Sustainability,” resonating with the GreenComp framework from Europe. Equally compelling was a young bachelor student’s research on how climate disasters like wildfires and floods influence environmental consciousness in California and a Taiwanese study examining motivations to become environmental educators.
When the larger conference began, energy levels skyrocketed as over 1,100 participants arrived, filling the venue with conversations, laughter, and new connections. SEQ’s poster presentation was a highlight. Even during setup, we were already deep in discussions, like one with LeleArtLab from Palm Beach, which uses a charming ice cream cart to promote environmental literacy among underprivileged children. Their idea? Attract families with a ringing bell, then teach them about ocean conservation—a perfect blend of creativity and purpose.
Our materials from the 4F project—comic books by Slovak artist Andrea Roskova, stickers, EcoThreads comics—were enthusiastically received. The topic of sustainable fashion felt fresh and innovative, particularly in the U.S., where interest exists but resources are limited. During the poster session, I connected with over 100 stakeholders, sharing insights and discussing future possibilities.
Meeting Tammy, a member of our SEQ advisory board, was another high point. For the first time, she saw and touched the materials we’d developed: comic books, board games (The Lifecycle of a T-Shirt and Fashion Empire), Sustainable Me in Fashion Cards. We even played a few rounds together, brainstorming how to bring these tools to the U.S., where she sees immense potential.
Volunteering at the conference was an unexpected bonus, offering deep conversations and new collaborations, including one with a fellow volunteer and impact evaluation expert. Among the best sessions I attended was one focused on engaging seniors with environmental content, featuring humorous sketches on “what not to do”—a perfect blend of fun and profound insight. This resonated deeply with me, as SEQ is currently implementing the Gray Grows Green (3GsInCZ&SK) project, an initiative dedicated to empowering seniors with sustainability competencies. Through activities like study visits, interactive workshops, and tailored educational programs, 3GsInCZ&SK aims to bridge generational gaps and ensure that environmental knowledge is accessible to all ages. Seeing these ideas reflected and expanded upon at the conference reaffirmed the importance of this work and sparked new inspiration for our future efforts.
The conference eventually wound down, and we returned to Europe, our minds buzzing with new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. Knowing that passionate individuals across the Atlantic are striving alongside us to elevate environmental education filled me with hope and determination. We’re all building bridges—culturally, geographically, and for a more sustainable future.