Revolutionizing Sustainability Education: Nature-powered Inclusive Immersive Learning

Session Description

Join us to discover how nature-powered learning, emerging technology, and game-based learning converge to tackle the extinction crisis and create a sustainable future. Audience members will gain hands-on experience and collaborative project ideas, equipping them to blend immersive and experiential learning using nature in world building for impactful, solution-driven learning.

Our presentation/workshop reimagines learning and classrooms by showcasing innovative ways to integrate sustainability education with emerging technologies (i.e., AI, VR, AR), offering a roadmap to inspire environmentally conscious and digitally literate students, shaping the future of education towards sustainability and harmonious coexistence with nature. All learners can be solutionaries!

We infuse inclusivity by showcasing interactive sustainability experiences via a place-based simulation of the Columbia River Gorge, between Washington State and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America using MineCraft. An inclusive learning space is modeled by merging traditional sustainability lessons and SDGs with modern digital tools. Our diverse team reflects varied backgrounds and experiences including people with disabilities, diverse genders and cultures, and varied doctoral research topics.

Presenter(s)

Rohana J. Swihart
Prescott College
Seattle, WA, USA

Rohana Swihart is an experienced exceptional education teacher and XR education coach with hidden disabilities (2e), deeply committed to empowering underrepresented youth. With a strong passion for human-centered design using innovative technologies and project-based learning, she strives to bridge the educational gap for marginalized students. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Sustainability Education, her research focuses on leveraging immersive and experiential learning to enhance STEM college and clean career readiness while incorporating neuroscience and wellness.

Cody S. Lestelle
WGU
Moku o Keawe, HI, USA

Cody Lestelle is an unfolding mystery claiming to originate from the stars and the spiritual world. Cody is a father, teacher, entrepreneur, and gamer in favor of deliciosity in all actions. Cody believes pixels are powered by pixies and we all deserve to live our best lives. To collaborate with Cody on research and increase play, magic, and edTech visit 7abcs.com

Rosette J. Capanzana
Prescott College
Prescott, AZ, USA

J. Rosette Capanzana is a doctoral scholar in the Sustainability Education Ph.D. program at Prescott College. She obtained a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Arizona State University, and a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from St. Mary's University. Her research foci are culturally sustaining pedagogy, critical pedagogy, ethics of care, and nature-based learning. As a life-long learner, her goal is to contribute her research to encourage educators (and others) to critically engage with other learners, and challenge culturally hegemonic educational practices.

Dr. Paul A. Curtis
PC Education Consulting
Orlando, FL, USA

Dr. Curtis is an esteemed leader who is dedicated to serving underrepresented scholars in K-12 and Higher Education settings. With over 20 years of teaching experience in both private and public schools, combined with his meritorious military service, he has built a strong foundation for creating authentic, culturally relevant, collaborative, and regenerative learning networks.