Call to Action:

1. Develop a preliminary community well-being and environmental stewardship assessment for their own educational contexts.
2. Create a pilot program for integrating active learning principles into existing curriculum.
3. Construct a stakeholder engagement plan to garner support for a regenerative vision within their communities.

Abstract: In the heart of Minnesota’s Iron Range, Rock Ridge Public Schools is forging a ‘New Horizon’ in learning environments through regenerative design. This presentation, featuring Superintendent Noel Schmidt, explores how the unification of three resilient communities and two former rival school districts sparked a transformative vision for education. ‘Dancing With the Yeti Part 2’ delves into the practical application of regenerative principles in the creation of three new schools, where human and ecological well-being are inextricably linked. We’ll showcase how students are actively co-creating outdoor learning spaces to foster local biodiversity, how active learning is infused with movement and play, and how Rock Ridge is building community-wide support for a regenerative future. Discover how this pioneering district is not just constructing buildings, but cultivating a sustainable ecosystem for learning, demonstrating that ‘New Horizons’ are built on deep community roots and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze how design centered on well-being and environmental stewardship can transform communities.
2. Demonstrate how students can actively co-create outdoor learning environments to discover and support local biodiversity.
3. Implement strategies for integrating active learning, movement, and play into educational spaces.
4. Develop a framework for building community support and advocacy for a regenerative vision.