Register for 51��’s Place-Based Teaching and Learning Symposium

Dr. Yolonda Youngs, Dr. Jacqueline Yahn, and Leslie Cook

Registration is open for 51��’s third annual Place-Based Teaching and Learning Symposium, which will take place Friday, April 5, 2024, in the Schoonover Center on the Athens Campus.

The event is free and open to the public. is available online (and includes a boxed lunch and snacks at no cost to those who register in advance) at this link: .

The registration deadline is Tuesday, April 2.

“This annual event celebrates how the places we occupy — their history, art, economy, ecology, and more — are enhancing teaching and learning across the academy, throughout southeast Ohio, and beyond,” says Professor of Communication Studies (and Symposium co-coordinator) Jerry Miller. “It’s a gathering of people who use the power of place to bring learning to life, to inform their research and creativity, and to build connection with and pride in our communities.”

This year’s keynote speaker is OHIO Eastern Associate Professor of Education and Program Director Jacqueline Yahn.

“Dr. Yahn’s work on the Rural Schools Collaborative Catalyst Initiative Grant is helping to lead innovative projects to strengthen rural education,“ says Associate Professor of Instruction in Linguistics (and Symposium co-coordinator) Michelle O’Malley. “I’m excited for her to share more about the collaboration between OHIO and community partner (��2��).”

In addition, the Symposium will host a Place-Based Teaching Workshop on Thursday, April 4 (4 to 6 p.m.) designed for OHIO faculty and regional k-12 teachers. Leslie Cook, head of professional learning at Teton Science Schools, and Dr. Yuan will present the workshop. In addition, Dr. Yolonda Youngs, associate professor at California State University San Bernardino, will present a place-based learning case study with Dr. O'Malley on Friday. A special Ridges Hike and Share for the community will round out the Symposium on Saturday, April 6.

The OHIO community is invited to attend all Symposium events.

“We welcome anyone who’s interested in learning more about place-based learning and research to join us, at no cost, in Schoonover 450 on April 5,” says Miller.

The Symposium debuted in 2022 and has included presentations by community partners like Rural Action and the Athens Photo Project; OHIO student (undergraduate and graduate) poster presentations; k-12 educators; faculty researchers; authors and poets; and staff from the University Archives.

This event is sponsored by the School of Communication Studies, the Center for Campus and Community Engagement, the Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment, the OHIO Fellows Program, and the OHIO Place Initiative.

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