Lunch & Learn
In response to COVID-19 suddenly shutting down so many informal science institutions and drastically altering operations, ISEA started offering virtual Lunch & Learn sessions over Zoom to share resources, collaborate, and commiserate together.
Even as our sites began reopening and business returned to normal(ish), we found that meeting virtually continued to be valuable for bringing together informal educators from all over the state of Texas. As such, Lunch & Learns will continue as an online meeting grounds and resource for professional development!
Recently rebranded as Armadillo Hour, relevant videos and links will be archived below.
Want to stay up to date? Consider joining our mailing list here for ISEA announcements and dates of our next Armadillo Hour.
Armadillo Hour - Nature Challenge
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Nature Challenge is an online portal created by the Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Children in Nature Network, and Texan by Nature to help families find new, exciting opportunities to connect with nature. Explore this innovative engagement tool with Jacey Tosh of the Forest Service.
Video Recording provided by Josh Sendejar
Partner Spotlight - Texas State Aquarium
Wednesday, December 14, 2022
The last Lunch & Learn of 2022 featured one of our partners - The Texas State Aquarium!
ISEA members met for an up close look at some of our friends with fins and a chat with Nicole Gaertner, Education Manager with TSA, and ISEA Board Member.
Video Recording provided by Nicole Gaertner
Preparing for a Shift in Science TEKS
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
ISEA members met with Jennifer Meyer, a representative from STAT (Science Teachers Association of Texas), to discuss the upcoming Science TEKS revisions and the framework shaping its content, practices, and objectives.
Shift in Science Slides provided by Jennifer Meyer
Resource Roundup
Wednesday, May 5th 2021
Check out this collection of helpful books, open source photos, blogs, and program / professional development resources by clicking here.
American Alliance of Museums Virtual Conference Share Out
Wednesday, June 17th 2020
A few members of the ISEA Board were able to attend the #AAMvirtual conference earlier in the month and had resources and takeaways to share out during this session.
AAMvirtual Share Out Slides compiled by ISEA Board Members
Virtual Visit: Science Spectrum, Lubbock
Wednesday, June 3rd 2020
We had the pleasure of chatting with Alana Baliga, an Education Coordinator at the Science Spectrum in Lubbock, TX. She showed us around the museum, talked to us about the center’s plan to offer summer camps, and their re-opening strategies.
Equity in Nature During COVID-19
Wednesday, May 20th 2020
ISEA Board Member and Texas Children in Nature (TCIN) State Coordinator, Sarah Coles, talked to us about TCIN’s recent efforts related to capturing how COVID-19 has impacted access to nature in terms of equity. Sarah also overviewed TCIN’s Nature Stories Project - participate from home by capturing stories about how you are (or are not) connecting with nature during the pandemic.
Thoughts on Reopening
Wednesday, May 6th 2020
ISEA members joined to discuss plans for eventual re-opening of institutions. ISEA Board Member Dustin Miller, Director of Experience and Innovation at the Dallas Arboretum, took us on a virtual tour of the arboretum grounds and discussed the changes they site was making to accommodate social distancing at the site. ISEA Founding Member and Advisor, Charlie Walter, Director of the Mayborn Museum Complex at Baylor University shared resources from the broader ISE, museum, and recreation industry.
International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Reopening Guide
Informal Learning Experiences: Informal Learning Review Special Issue