by Sarah Halson | Jun 17, 2026 | Blog
2026 Community Forum Recap “Volunteering for Change”, “Oral History as Stewardship”, “Super Soil Worm Squad”, “Voices for Our Future” – these are just a few of the 40 youth-led presentation titles from this year’s SEMIS Coalition Annual Community Forum. On May 21st,...
by Sarah Halson | Dec 18, 2025 | Blog, Outdoor Learning Initiative, Place-Based Education
Learn more about Sarah! Check out our social media I originally partnered with the SEMIS Coalition many years ago while working with The Greening of Detroit supporting tree plantings and outdoor classrooms in Detroit schools. My love for the outdoors and my hope to...
by Sarah Halson | Nov 25, 2025 | Blog, Place-Based Education, SEMIS Staff Spotlight
Learn more about Anna! Check out our social media Dear SEMIS Coalition Members, Earlier this month, the SEMIS Coalition co-hosted the 9th National Place-Based Education Conference with the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, bringing over 500 educators from across the...
by Sarah Halson | Aug 21, 2025 | Blog, Summer Institute
Summer Institute 2025 Photo Journal One of our favorite times of the year at the SEMIS Coalition is the Annual Summer Institute where we have the opportunity to spend a dedicated week fully immersed with educators and community partners embedded in place-based...
by Sarah Halson | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog, Humanizing Education, Place-Based Education
By: Susan Kinsky As place-based educators, we facilitate relationships: between people, with students, with community members, and with the places we study. I want to focus on emotional relationships and connections with places. I don’t think this is separate from...
by Sarah Halson | Jul 29, 2022 | Blog, Civic Action / Leadership, climate change, Curriculum, High School
TEACHING THROUGH A KING LENS By Willie King III Through my many experiences as an educator, I have found that the spark never really disappears; the flame just looks different. Transitioning into the second semester of the 2021-2022 school year as an official SEMIS...
by Sarah Halson | Jun 30, 2022 | Blog, Civic Engagement, Curriculum, Place-Based Education, Upper Elementary, Water Quality / Studies
“I thought I knew everything there was to know about water, but I didn’t know water was everywhere!” proclaimed a 6th grade student during their final presentation to community members after a month-long unit on stormwater. This student was one of almost 300 students...
by Sarah Halson | Mar 20, 2022 | Outdoor Learning Initiative, Place-Based Education
What happens to children when they get a daily dose of trees and fresh air? When they have the opportunity to get outside briefly for a walk, learn lessons outdoors, or simply reflect in front of a natural scene? Many studies indicate that playing, relaxing and...
