Biomimicry: Nature’s Blueprint for Sustainable Design

  • April 21, 2026
  • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Zoom

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PD Webinar Series

 April 21, 2026 6:00 PM CT

Biomimicry: Nature’s Blueprint for Sustainable Design

Nature has spent billions of years perfecting solutions to challenges humans face today—energy efficiency, waste reduction, resilience, and balance. This talk explores how scientists, engineers, and designers are turning to nature’s time-tested strategies to inspire sustainable innovations. From buildings that breathe like termites to materials that mimic shark skin, we’ll discover how biomimicry helps us design a more sustainable and harmonious future by learning directly from the ultimate innovator—nature itself.


Toni Bruner is a graduate of Troy University with an extensive background in environmental education and deep familiarity with Alabama’s education system. She currently serves as Executive Director of Legacy Partners in Environmental Education, leading statewide initiatives that support environmental literacy, educator professional development, and community engagement.


Previously, Bruner served as Education Coordinator for Auburn University’s Museum of Natural History and worked with the Cook Museum of Natural History, where she helped develop the museum’s education department and assisted with exhibit creation.

Bruner holds numerous professional certifications, including Master Leave No Trace Trainer, Project Learning Tree Trainer, and Certified Trainer with the National Association for Interpretation. She has served in leadership roles across multiple organizations, including Past President and current Advisor Board Member of the Alabama Environmental Education Association, Vice Chair of the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance, and appointee to the Wetumpka Impact Charter Commission.

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Zoom link will be emailed a few days before webinar!

PD Webinar Series

February 17, 2026

6:00pm 

Designing Math That Moves: Fluency, Acceleration, and the Courage to Explore

With Casey Warmbrand

High-ability learners don’t simply need “more”; they need mathematics that moves—fluidly, flexibly, and creatively. This session uses the Alabama Mathematics Course of Study and the Numeracy Act as anchors for designing instruction that supports acceleration, deep conceptual understanding, and mathematical risk-taking. Participants will explore how to design rich task sequences, investigations, and open problems that promote multiple strategies, multiple representations, and authentic mathematical reasoning. We will examine approaches to curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, and grading structures that reward exploration and align with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Teachers will leave with practical tools, classroom-ready examples, and a clear framework for cultivating fluency, creativity, and productive struggle in high-ability mathematics learners.


 

Casey Warmbrand is a mathematician, curriculum architect, and national leader in gifted mathematics education. With 25 years of experience spanning middle school through university instruction, he has contributed to state standards development, redesigned mathematics pathways, and led national professional learning for NAGC, NCTM, and international organizations focused on mathematical creativity. Casey’s work centers rich-task design, curriculum compacting, mathematical creativity, and equitable assessment practices aligned with the Standards for Mathematical Practice. He currently supports mathematics program innovation for gifted learners in Arizona, advances systemic change in mathematics education nationally, and directs an initiative focused on affordable housing reform. Outside of his professional work, Casey enjoys time with his wife, Erica, and son, Zeke, and is an avid pickleball player supporting the national governing body, USA Pickleball.


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