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 second part of our series, Katarina shares her reflections and key takeaways from Pittsburgh.
Katarina’s Journey: Elevating Environmental Education at the NAAEE Symposium & Conference
The NAAEE Symposium and Conference was such an amazing experience for me—like stepping into my own version of Alice in Wonderland! I was incredibly lucky and honored to receive a scholarship to attend this event after being recognized as part of the 2024 NAAEE 30 Under 30 environmental educators cohort. I am so thankful for this opportunity—it truly meant the world to me!
I arrived during the NAAEE Research Symposium, giving myself a day to adapt to the new place, the surroundings of Pittsburgh, and—oh my—adjust to the six-hour time difference. (Jet lag is no joke, and it does more damage than I would have thought!) Walking along the river, exploring the Three Rivers junction, and taking in Pittsburgh’s famous bridges (which inspired the conference’s theme!) helped me settle in.
The Research Symposium was my first glimpse into the event and an excellent introduction. Smaller and more intimate than the main conference, it was a wonderful first step into this world—already overwhelmingly exciting and packed with attractive content. The Westin Hotel, where everything was hosted, was huge, so I spent some time just orienting myself!
Since I’m an educator, not a researcher, I don’t focus on collecting data myself but need research to ground my work. I loved exploring how research bridges into education and seeing how we can align these areas. It’s like a well-oiled machine—if we get it right, we can make the system work beautifully! Seeing colleagues from all over the world collect data we can build on was so inspiring.
The main conference kicked off on November 6th, and oh my! The drummers, speeches, a massive auditorium, and over 1,000 people from 40+ countries coming together to discuss environmental education—what a moment! It felt special just being part of something this monumental.
My focus during the conference was on science-based education, gamification, and practical, hands-on sessions. Honestly, it felt like being at an overflowing breakfast buffet full of juicy, top-tier items, but I could only taste so much—anxious not to have an extra stomach on me! There was so much happening, all the time, everywhere!
Some Highlights of My Journey
The Gamification Session with Galveston Bay Foundation
This session was so inspiring, providing food for thought on how to deliver high-quality environmental sessions for schools free of charge. The dedication of their team and the creativity of their materials were amazing to observe.
Presenting Our Poster
The buzzing poster session was such a highlight for me! Our colorful Framework of Earth Competences poster from the EarthGames4EyoUth project, packed with tools from the 4F project and StratYouWell as QR codes for download, was a big hit. Seeing the excitement around our work and engaging with people from all walks of life was fantastic.
I loved connecting with others, like the team from StopWaste and their May the 4Rs Be With You eco-contest for children. So inspiring to exchange ideas and see how differently yet effectively we approach similar topics.
Hands-On Sessions – there were many, but two really stood out.
The Allegheny Land Trust team delivered such structured and well-thought-through activities for youth. I took so many notes!
At FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, we played games like their resilience toolkit game (“What would you pack in case of a huge storm?”). It was a perfect blend of fun and critical thinking, led by two enthusiastic students!
30 Under 30 Panel Discussion
This was an absolute highlight! Alongside Rachel Lewandowski Sarette and Dajawn Williams, and moderated by podcaster and 30 Under 30 alum and podcaster Jack Baker, we held a panel discussion on Perspectives on Leadership. We shared our journeys, discussed the bridges between theory and action in education, and explored inclusiveness and the future of environmental education. Hearing my peers’ wise words on these topics under Jack’s excellent moderation was so inspiring.
Health and Sustainability Workshop
Pat Heaney from The Watershed Institute closed my conference experience with a stellar workshop on the correlations between health and sustainability. Talking, learning, and trying out their materials was the perfect way to wrap up my learning journey.
But honestly, there was so much more! So many conversations, sparkling inspirations, hugs, tears of joy, heartfelt moments, and strong speeches from my fellow 30 Under 30 members that moved the entire plenary. I’m still in awe of the power I saw throughout this event—people of all ages, beliefs, races, and genders learning and bonding together.
WHAT A RIDE!
I am beyond thankful I could be part of this year’s conference story and join the bright, sparkling, vivid people in the 30 Under 30 community. It has been an absolute honor and pleasure.Plus, thanks to some lovely friends, I now know where to get a foot massage in Pittsburgh at 11 p.m.! 😄