Outdoor Learning Environments Symposium

Portland, Ore. – Outdoor learning environments are important for encouraging healthy behaviors and improving the physical, educational and mental wellbeing of children. They provide a setting for exploration, inquiry and learning. Additionally, they empower environmental literacy and promote learning in many educational disciplines. 

Join A4LE in this two-day symposium where we will explore how to establish, gain and maintain community support for your programs. Experts in outdoor learning will present evidence regarding the components, programs, teacher training and capital improvements needed to install Green Schoolyards. We will also hear from districts as they share examples of exceptional outdoor environments.

The event will be held at the Leftbank Annex in Portland, Oregon and include site visits to schools in both Portland and Vancouver.

Go here for more information.

Featured

  • Philadelphia Middle School Facility Earns LEED Gold Certification

    The Alternative Middle Years (AMY) at James Martin Middle School in Philadelphia, Penn., recently received a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a news release. The School District of Pennsylvania partnered with KSS Architects on the project.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • University of Kansas Breaks Ground on Entrepreneurship Hub

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new KU Entrepreneurship Hub, according to university news. The Hub is part of the university’s School of Business and will include spaces for experiential learning and programming.

  • USC Launches Major AI Initiative After $200M Gift

    The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif., recently announced that it has launched a “transformational” new AI initiative thanks to a $200M gift, according to a news release. The project will leverage AI toward breakthroughs and innovations in subjects like the health sciences, business, security, and the arts.