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Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

About The In-Person Conference

The Dive Deeper Summit is hosted and organized by Penn State Extension. Our staff are on the steering committee, helping with a pre-conference field activity, and will be presenting at the Summit, so we’re sharing a few of the details to help spread the word and encourage registration. For the more information, go to Penn State Extension’s event page.

The Summit is a biennial, multi-state environmental education conference designed for those who teach youth about water or seek engaging tools and resources to support water education. This full-day event features your choice of concurrent session presentations, dynamic exhibits, morning refreshments, a lunch buffet, networking opportunities, and even the chance to have your home drinking water tested. New for 2025, the summit will include a pre-conference field study and an evening reception featuring an educational film screening and expert panel discussion. Whether you’re an educator, interpreter, or informal learning professional, the Dive Deeper Summit offers innovative, hands-on strategies to inspire the next generation of water stewards.

Event Details

Click here for event details, agenda, and registration 

When:
September 24, 2025
  • 10 AM-3 PM – Dive Deeper Summit Pre-Conference Field Study at Gifford Pinchot State Park, 2200 Rosstown Rd, Lewisberry, PA 17339
  • 6:30-8:30 PM – Dive Deeper Summit Pre-Conference Film Screening, Seeing the Unseen at the Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 E Park Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111
September 25, 2025
  • 8 AM-4 PM – Dive Deeper Summit at the Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center, 800 E Park Dr, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Where:

Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center
800 E Park Dr
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
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Who is this for? What will you learn?

Who is this for?

    • Formal and non-formal educators

    • K–12 teachers and environmental educators

    • 4-H leaders and youth program coordinators

    • Conservation district staff and watershed professionals

    • Outdoor educators, interpreters, and nature center staff

    • Anyone interested in water education and water resource issues

What will you learn?

    • Gain insight from dynamic and informative speakers

    • Explore current and emerging water issues in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond

    • Discover engaging curriculum ideas to take back to your classroom or program

    • Expand your network with fellow educators and water resource professionals

    • Learn about new technologies to enhance your STEM and water education programming

Pre-conference Activitiy

Join Amber Stilwell, Coastal Outreach Specialist, and Michelle Niedermeier, Education Lead for this pre-conference field activity!

Dive Deeper Summit Pre-Conference Field Study

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 – 10:00AM

Location: Gifford Pinchot State Park, 2200 Rosstown Rd, Lewisberry, PA 17339
*Final details about the day will be sent in confirmation e-mail.

A study of Aquatic Invasive Species and Harmful Algal Blooms
Aquatic Invasive Species and Harmful Algal Blooms

This hands-on field day introduces participants to the causes, impacts, and identification of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and harmful algal blooms (HABs). The program begins with indoor instruction on testing and monitoring water quality, followed by immersive field activities, including exploring HAB-prone waters by pontoon boat and surveying for AIS by kayak. Participants will practice identification techniques and sampling methods while examining ecological impacts. The session concludes with strategies for integrating this content into youth education, with connections to the STEELS standards and Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs).

  • Introduction to HABs and AIS (Indoors)
    • What are causes.
    • What are issues created by AIS and HABs.
    • Discuss how to test for HABs, water quality testing, costs.
  • HABs (Field activity. Split group in half. Rotate.)
    • Look at HABs or HABs-vulnerable waters via pontoon boat.
    • How to identify HABs or impaired water.
    • Demonstrate how to take samples.
  • AIS (Field activity. Split group in half. Rotate.)
    • Look at AIS via kayaks.
    • How to identify AIS and practice ID.
    • Discuss impacts of AIS on this habitat, how to assess impacts.
  • Applying this information to youth education (Indoors)
    • What can students do to get involved?
    • How does this tie into STEELS and MWEEs?

Steering Committee

    • Brad Kunsman – Penn State Extension, Agricultural Conservation and Water Resources

    • Jenn Fetter – Penn State Extension, Water Resources Team Leader

    • Susan Boser – Penn State Extension, Water Resources

    • Genny Christ – Penn State Extension, Agricultural Conservation

    • Liz Fulton – Penn State Ag and Environment Center

    • Paul McFarland – Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania 4-H

    • Carissa Longo – Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Parks

    • Kimberly Lott – Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Parks

    • Michelle Niedermeier – Pennsylvania Sea Grant

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