APS Rising Educator Summit 2026

How might we transform a field trip into a powerful, student-centered learning experience? In this interactive workshop, educators will partner with the National Park Service education team from Valles Caldera National Preserve to explore and co-design a 6th Grade Academic Field Experience grounded in place-based learning, inquiry, and inclusive practices. Participants will step into the role of a student through a “mini field experience,” engaging with real images, data, and maps from Valles Caldera. Teachers will then work in teams to design a pre- or post-field experience that connects classroom learning to authentic investigations in math, science, literacy, and social studies. This session is also a recruitment opportunity for 6th grade, cross-content teams interested in helping co-design and pilot this experience during the 2026-2027 school year.