Past Workshops
These past workshops are listed by date – from more current to older workshops. I taught these workshops for OLLI (Osher Life Long Learning Institute) students in Humboldt County, California. OLLI is an important educational force and builder of community for seniors in our area To learn more about OLLI use this link: https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli
With Michele Olsen, Book Artist
Keeping a field journal improves memory and increases our awareness and appreciation of the world around us. We usually observe things at a specific point in time. But it’s also important to observe life cycles, and this requires observations over greater periods of time. Learn how to document events “for the long haul” in your own yards, neighborhood, or park.
Thurs., March 23 • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Online
$30 • Class #: 23963
Register: https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli/course/field-journals-long-haul
With Michele Olsen, Book Artist
Make a no-nonsense, practical field journal that opens flat, has removable pages and a reusable cover. It’s easy to hold while standing or sitting, opens flat, and you can pick the paper that best suits your writing and drawing needs. Explore an array of materials and journaling tools that make it easy to journal in the field.
Tues., March 21 • 10-11:50 a.m.
Arcata, TBD
$30 • Class #: 23960
To register: https://extended.humboldt.edu/olli/course/field-journals-diy-journal
Additional information for your class: Instructor will provide materials for the 6” x 9” field journal. Students should bring a 12” ruler and tools for drawing, painting, or writing. (Optional: If you have an adjustable 3-hole paper punch, please bring it).
You can see a sample of the book at: https://www.micheleolsen.com/easy-functional-diy-journal/
Back To Camp: Lifelong Learning in the Redwoods. You can register at this link.
Gisela Rohde and I will be teaching two classes on August 2, 2022 at the Wolf Creek Educational Center in Humboldt County, California. The surrounding forests are close to the Prairie Creek State Park and we will take full advantage of our location to learn a lot about field journaling and how to help scientists monitor our changing environment.
1) Morning Session: FIELD JOURNALS: WITNESSING OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
Join us as we use our field journals to improve our observational skills, foster curiosity, and record our experiences in the majesty of the redwood forest. For centuries scientists and explorers have considered their journals to be a valuable tool for discovery of and connection with their environment. The process is so valuable that schools from kindergarten through college are designing curriculum based on journaling as a way to learn science and natural history. We will also be looking at the ways we can use our work to become Citizen Scientists.
Topics: Tips for working outside, the importance of recording data, using maps and charts, using our five senses to write, techniques for developing intentional curiosity, prompts for improving observations, easy sketching techniques, and resources for further work.
Materials to bring:
Journal (at least 6” x 6”), pen, pencil. Optional: colored pencils, watercolors & brushes.
Resource Materials: http://micheleolsen.com/OLLI_Summer2022
2) Afternoon Session: A DEEP DIVE INTO FERNS
Bring your journals and become a Citizen Scientist with your participation in the Fern Watch project sponsored by the Save the Redwood League. Because ferns respond quickly to variations in rainfall they are good indicators of shifts in our climate. Monitoring ferns help scientists study changes in our redwood forest; we will collect and analyze data, document discoveries, develop questions for further research, and use sketches as a tool to learn. We will also discuss other ways you can become a community-based Citizen Scientist.
Materials to bring: walking shoes, measuring tape (metric preferable), journals (at least 6” x 6”), pen, pencil. (Optional) field lens, colored pencils, watercolor & brush.
Resource Materials: https://www.micheleolsen.com/olli_cs/