At Glacier's End: A 3-Day Educator's Workshop

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Last Updated: Oct 02, 2026, 02:59 PM

Illinois Natural Divisions Education Framework

At Glacier’s End is an educator workshop introducing Illinois educators to a Natural-Divisions-Education-based framework for setting natural and other sciences and courses of study into a connective framework, based in place.  Bridging curriculum, existing available resources, school and public programs, educational sites, and integrated experiential field programs. Including variable combinations of these educational vectors depending on settings and populations.
This first, in an intended series of workshops, focuses on the use of an Illinois Natural Divisions Education Framework for formal, non-formal, and pre-service educators. Geographically focused in the transition zone across the Great Illinois’ Glacial Till Plain, and the Greater Shawnee Hills Divisions. A zone of the southern Illinois Divisions which runs laterally across the southern section of the state from the Ohio to the Mississippi Rivers, making it relevant to the widest swath of learners along, and to the North and South of that zone in southern Illinois.

The workshop models the application of existing and available resources including physical, online, experiential and site-based methods of delivery. Applying a natural integration of sciences and other areas of study, into the connective framework of place.  A framework that can be applied statewide as modeled by this workshop.

Registration Opens Spring 2027!

Contact Information

Steve

Gariepy, Stephen M

To express your interest or for more information, contact Steve Gariepy at mammoth@siu.edu at the SIU STEM Education Research Center.

Workshop Schedule

Day 1: On Campus (Tuesday, June 16 as in 2026)

  • Check-in and Welcome
  • Sessions at SIU
  • Lunch Provided
  • Educator Resources Included:
    Including IDNR Poster of Illinois Natural Divisions, ISGS Bedrock Geology of Illinois map, ISGS wall map Illinois Surface Topography, IDNH Cypress Swamp frameable photography poster, Illinois Conservation Association, Giant City State Park “100 Years of Conservation” heavy frameable poster, IDNR Large Rivers of Illinois poster, and more resources from IDNR, INHS, and partner organizations.

Evening Program:
Visit the R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Home for a guided tour of the “Father of Sustainability’s” geodesic Dome Home in Carbondale, Illinois—where he was regarded as the Pilot of Spaceship Earth, the Leonardo da Vinci of the Modern Age, and the Grandfather of the Future.

Day 2: Giant City State Park (Wednesday, June 17 as in 2026)

  • Field Hikes at Giant City
  • Lunch from Makanda Country Store (on the boardwalk)
  • Dinner at Giant City Lodge
  • Evening Program

Day 3: Cedar Lake & Pine Hills (Thursday, June 18 as in 2026)

  • Cedar Lake Paddling Excursion
  • Trail of Tears & Snake Road Exploration
  • Lunch in the Field
  • Certificate of Completion

Registration

Registration Opens Spring 2027 via our secure link. 

Important Dates

Tuesday, June 15, 2027 -  Thursday, June 17, 2027.