Happy New Year, 2026! HOOPAH!

HOOPAH is a NEW thought creation standing for Hues of Optimism and Hope, with the mission to reflect upon and spark positive environmental and climate action for Earth. The aim is to counteract the profuse negative news stories on social media that lead to eco-anxiety and – worst of all – apathy, meaning sense of dread and loss of hope that lead to complacency and inaction. When we witness people protecting the Earth, we can be inspired to take on our own eco-actions, small and big, that together have a positive environmental impact, which can lead to informed optimism and a real sense of hope. HOOPAH for 2026! You can follow HOOPAH v on Facebook and Instagram at ecoinquiry.

Here is HOOPAH’s logo to look for on Social Media:

Connecting children to nature through the seasons is the theme of Eco-inquiry’s New Year newsletter and the first image generated with HOOPAH. The inspiration for HOOPAH’s first message of Optimism and Hope comes from Math on the Land by Jennifer Baron & Towana Brooks in ETFO Voice, Fall 2020.

Juliet Robertson was one of the key sources of wisdom, guidance, and inspiration for the work educators did on their Math on the Land project at Lakeside P.S. in 2019. Juliet passed away this December, 2025, but her passion for outdoor learning lives on in her prolific contributions. Below you see Jennifer Baron’s Teacher Candidates Kayla and Hannah in her Environmental Education class holding Juliet’s books: Messy Math and Dirty Teaching, foundational books for the course. Juliet was incredibly generous is sharing her ideas for outdoor learning on her incredibly rich website: https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/

Juliet Robertson spoke about her journey as an outdoor and environmental educator with Eco-inquiry’s content creator, Jennifer Baron, on the Eco-Inquiry Podcast, which you can find HERE.

Even in the most challenging of times, Juliet chose to create, as evidence by the name of her website: Creative Star Learning, her books that have inspired educators all over the world on outdoor learning, and, most recently, her book of poetry: Bloodlines. In his course on Eco-Literacy, Physicist and Author Fritjof Capra argues that humans have the power to create the future, thereby having it form in new directions, and he speaks and writes persuasively about the power of people to turn our collective direction towards a healthier future for the planet via systems thinking, interconnectedness, and actions for environmental sustainability. With their powerful messages of connecting children to nature, outdoor learning, ecosystems thinking, eco-action, and sustainability, Eco-inquiry dedicates 2026 to sharing evidence of ways we are moving forward with Hues of Optimism and Hope: HOOPAH!

A NEW theory of Eco-inquiry is that people relate differently to Earth and environmental action based on their personality types. By applying the knowledge of personality types, you can influence friends, family, communities, and even broader environmental sustainability initiatives and campaigns. Published by Eco-inquiry in 2025, “The Personality Greenprint: How to Repair Our Relationship with Earth” and “The Personality Greenprint Reflection Pad” provide readers with a how-to guides to identify and reflect on personality traits, strengths, habits, and next steps for highly effective Eco-action. It will guide readers and groups to set goals individually and in collaboration within teams and communities to support environmental activism that leads to a positive impact and deeper Hues of Optimism and Hope. HOOPAH! 

To stay up-to-date on Eco-inquiry, please subscribe share your email below. We promise no distracting ads or requests for donations.

Posted in Environmental & Outdoor Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

September Start-Up!

Fall is the perfect season to get your students outside for learning! Eco-Games are a fun way to engage students in the mission of Eco-Inquiry, which is to support educators and students around the world to strengthen ecological literacy, implement environmental education, and promote eco-action in their places of learning and communities. The Eco-Games website has links to FREE resources, such as How-To set up Eco-Games on the Eco-Inquiry YouTube channel, podcast, FREE virtual choice boards for each Eco-Game, mapping extensions, and eco-action ideas to help the environment. You can purchase the Eco-Games manual, Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Baron, which includes everything you need to set up Eco-Games in your instructional setting on Amazon, available as a FREE download on Teachers Pay Teachers and NEW on Barnes and Noble! Eco-Games has been viewed by over 100,000 people in over 150 countries! Here is what one educator has to say about “Eco-Games: Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems”.

My students loved using this resource for their work. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It didn’t take much time to prepare this resource, so it was easy for me to use. I may have adapted it a little bit for my multi-age group. It was a lot of fun. — Lisette D. Rated 5 out of 5 stars!

https://www.coeo.org/events/conference-2025/In the past, Ecoinquiry has presented Eco-Games at the Council for Outdoor Educators of Ontario annual Fall Conference.

NEW this year, Ecoinquiry will present the latest Ecoinquiry Publishing books, August 2025. See below. Discover out The Personality Greenprint in-person at the COEO conference on Saturday, September 20th, 2025!

NEW! The Personality Greenprint: How to Repair Our Relationship with Earth.

Discover your Personality Type, then map your Greenprint to increase your positive environmental impact. Then, collaborate within your communities to have even a greater environmental sustainability influence based on including all Personality Types. The Personality Greenprint Reflection Pad is a workbook for you to record the steps of your personal and team Greenprint path to success!

For more information, go to personalitygreenprint.ca

The Sea Can Stories

Eco-Inquiry Publishing has three children’s books in the Sea Can Stories Series.The goals of the Sea Can Stories series are to entertain children about the adventures of intermodal shipping containers, and to raise awareness of the issues related to moving cargo around the Earth between trucks, trains and ships.

Thank you for using your voice, and have a wonderful 2025-2026 school year with your students supporting their connections to Earth and modeling hope with Eco-Actions for empowerment and environmental sustainability!

Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from Eco-Inquiry! Thank you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A New School Year!

Eco-Games are a fun way to engage students in the mission of Eco-Inquiry, which is to support educators and students around the world to strengthen ecological literacy, implement environmental education and promote eco-action in their places of learning and communities. The Eco-Games website has links to FREE resources, such as How-To set up Eco-Games on the Eco-Inquiry YouTube channel, podcast, FREE virtual choice boards for each Eco-Game, mapping extensions, and eco-action ideas to help the environment. You can purchase the Eco-Games manual, Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Baron, which includes everything you need to set up Eco-Games in your instructional setting on Amazon, available as a FREE download on Teachers Pay Teachers and NEW on Barnes and Noble! Eco-Games has been viewed by over 100,000 people in over 150 countries! Here is what one educator has to say about “Eco-Games: Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems”.

My students loved using this resource for their work. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It didn’t take much time to prepare this resource, so it was easy for me to use. I may have adapted it a little bit for my multi-age group. It was a lot of fun. — Lisette D. Rated 5 out of 5 stars!

Eco-Inquiry Publishing has three children’s books in the Sea Can Stories Series.The goals of the Sea Can Stories series are to entertain children about the adventures of intermodal shipping containers, and to raise awareness of the issues related to moving cargo around the Earth between trucks, trains and ships.

Thank you for using your voice, and have a wonderful 2025-2026 school year with your students supporting their connections to Earth and modeling hope with Eco-Actions for empowerment and environmental sustainability!

Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from Eco-Inquiry! Thank you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

April is Earth Month!

Eco-Games are a fun way to engage students in the mission of Eco-Inquiry, which is to support educators and students around the world to strengthen ecological literacy, implement environmental education and promote eco-action in their places of learning and communities. The Eco-Games website has links to FREE resources, such as How-To set up Eco-Games on the Eco-Inquiry YouTube channel, podcast, FREE virtual choice boards for each Eco-Game, mapping extensions, and eco-action ideas to help the environment. You can purchase the Eco-Games manual, Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Baron, which includes everything you need to set up Eco-Games in your instructional setting on Amazon, Teachers Pay Teachers and NEW on Barnes and Noble! Eco-Games has been viewed by over 100,000 people in over 150 countries! Here is what one educator has to say about “Eco-Games: Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems”.

My students loved using this resource for their work. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It didn’t take much time to prepare this resource, so it was easy for me to use. I may have adapted it a little bit for my multi-age group. It was a lot of fun. — Lisette D. Rated 5 out of 5 stars!

Eco-Inquiry is presenting Eco-Games at the ntarOio Society for Environmental Education’s (OSEE) annual EcoLinks conference on May 3rd, 2025 at the Arboretum in Guelph, Ontario! The theme for OSEE’s EcoLinks conference this year is: May the Forest Be With You! To honour the theme, Eco-Inquiry will present the Tree and Forest Eco-Game. Here is the registration information: OSEE Eco-Links Conference, May 3rd in Guelph, Ontario.

Eco-Inquiry Publishing has three children’s books in the Sea Can Stories Series.The goals of the Sea Can Stories series are to entertain children about the adventures of intermodal shipping containers, and to raise awareness of the issues related to moving cargo around the Earth between trucks, trains and ships.

Thank you for using your voice, and making every day Earth Day!

Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from Eco-Inquiry! Thank you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy New Year, 2025!

Eco-Games are a fun way to engage students in the mission of Eco-Inquiry, which is to support educators and students around the world to strengthen ecological literacy, implement environmental education and promote eco-action in their places of learning and communities. The Eco-Games website has links to FREE resources, such as How-To set up Eco-Games on the Eco-Inquiry YouTube channel, podcast, FREE virtual choice boards for each Eco-Game, mapping extensions, and eco-action ideas to help the environment. You can purchase the Eco-Games manual, Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Baron, which includes everything you need to set up Eco-Games in your instructional setting on Amazon, Teachers Pay Teachers and NEW on Barnes and Noble! Eco-Games has been viewed by over 100,000 people in over 150 countries! Here is what one educator has to say about “Eco-Games: Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems”.

My students loved using this resource for their work. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It didn’t take much time to prepare this resource, so it was easy for me to use. I may have adapted it a little bit for my multi-age group. It was a lot of fun. — Lisette D. Rated 5 out of 5 stars!

Ecoinquiry Publishing presents four more books in the Sea Can Stories collection. Children are fascinated by shipping containers and the transportation system that moves them around the Earth on land and water. An activity book connected to the Sea Can Stories is also available to extend the fun and learning.

Winter is a great time of year to see birds! Check out The Bird Game, and click on the virtual choice board to connect to Backyard and Schoolyard Bird Counts!

Finally, winter is fun and can bring some exciting times, like SNOW DAYS! Check out Funquiry for days when you need to support your students learning in an engaging and fun way.

Happy New Year, 2025! From Eco-Inquiry!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

April is Earth Month!

Eco-Games are a fun way to engage students in the mission of Eco-Inquiry, which is to support educators and students around the world to strengthen ecological literacy, implement environmental education and promote eco-action in their places of learning and communities. The Eco-Games website has links to FREE resources, such as How-To set up Eco-Games on the Eco-Inquiry YouTube channel, podcast, FREE virtual choice boards for each Eco-Game, mapping extensions, and eco-action ideas to help the environment. You can purchase the Eco-Games manual, Written and Illustrated by Jennifer Baron, which includes everything you need to set up Eco-Games in your instructional setting on Amazon, Teachers Pay Teachers and NEW on Barnes and Noble! Eco-Games has been viewed by over 100,000 people in over 150 countries! Here is what one educator has to say about “Eco-Games: Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems”.

My students loved using this resource for their work. They were engaged in the resource and had no trouble getting started. It didn’t take much time to prepare this resource, so it was easy for me to use. I may have adapted it a little bit for my multi-age group. It was a lot of fun. — Lisette D. Rated 5 out of 5 stars!

Eco-Inquiry is presenting Eco-Games at the Ontario Society for Environmental Education’s (OSEE) annual EcoLinks conference on May 4th, 2024 at the Arboretum in Guelph, Ontario! The theme for OSEE’s EcoLinks conference this year is: May the Forest Be With You! To honour the theme, Eco-Inquiry will present the Tree and Forest Eco-Game. Here is the registration information: OSEE Eco-Links Conference, May 4th, 2024 in Guelph, Ontario.

Eco-Inquiry Publishing is launching a NEW children’s book on April 15th! “Journey of the Stolen Cars” by J.R. Baron is the third book in the Sea Can Stories Series. It will be available via Amazon’s print-on-demand on April 15th, 2024. The goals of the Sea Can Stories series are to entertain children about the adventures of intermodal shipping containers, and to raise awareness of the issues related to moving cargo around the Earth between trucks, trains and ships.

NEW CONTEST to celebrate Earth Day! What is the SECRET ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE for the Planet Earth Eco-Game? Hint: you can find it in “Eco-Games” Outdoor Science Simulations for Life and Earth Systems” available on Amazon, Teachers Pay Teachers and Barnes and Noble. Write your answer on Twitter and link @ecoinquiry to enter by Earth Day, April 22nd, 2024 and you will be eligible to win a $30 gift certificate to Eco-Inquiry’s Sellfy store! The winner will be contacted by April 24, 2024 via Twitter direct messaging. You can also email your answer to ecological.inquiry@gmail.com by April 22nd, 2024.

Happy Earth Month! Be sure to subscribe to receive updates from Eco-Inquiry! Thank you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment