Lou Capewell and Kelly Martin, Maori grandmothers from New Zealand, will give a presentation on the Maori concept of tikanga-a-iwi and family group conferencing. To preserve the integrity of all life-force (mauri), Maori ancestors established the rules of balance known as Tikanga.  For Maori, Tikanga embodies history and future, right and wrong, caution and expediency, courtesy and reprimand, and survival. <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> In its most basic form, Tikanga is the set of guidelines to follow. It is the blueprint to ensure the survival of Mokopuna, the generations to come.

Placed-based education seeks to bridge the gap that often exists between schools and the communities they serve. Linked to the efforts of civic, environmental, service learning, and workplace educators, it provides a way to integrate classroom learning into the everyday contexts of students’ lives. It also provides young people with a reason to invest their energy in academic tasks. This special event provides participants with the opportunity to learn more about the impact place-based education is having on schools regionally and nationally. It features a panel discussion on Thursday evening, followed by a series of presentations and conversations on Friday. Topics to be explored include principles and practices of place-based education, the potential of this approach to deepen students’ engagement in school, challenges and opportunities of implementation posed by the standards movement, the development of community partners, and funding possibilities.