Texas Society for Public Health Education upcoming events

Why Outdoor Learning? Building Connections Between Education and Public Health (September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

While often viewed as an academic supplement, outdoor learning is a vital upstream intervention for public health. This session presents findings from recent PEAS teacher participant surveys, illustrating how garden-based education serves as a protective factor for student wellness. Our data reveals that moving the classroom outdoors addresses three critical public health pillars:

Environmental & Nutrition Literacy: Hands-on gardening significantly increases a student's knowledge of ecosystems willingness to consume fresh produce, establishing healthy habits including ones that combat food insecurity and diet-related illness.

Mental Health & Resilience: Educators report marked improvements in student emotional regulation and stress reduction, providing a restorative environment that supports neurodiversity and mental wellbeing.

Physical Activity: Outdoor learning naturally integrates movement into the school day, countering sedentary lifestyles and fostering a connection between personal health and environmental stewardship.

By analyzing qualitative and quantitative shifts reported by PEAS educators, this webinar demonstrates how outdoor learning initiatives function as essential public health assets. We will discuss how to frame outdoor education not just as a pedagogical choice, but as a scalable infrastructure for community-wide wellness. Participants will gain insights into leveraging school gardens to bridge the gap between classroom success and long-term health equity.

Lessons from a Decade of Community Collaboration in Maternal Health (September 23, 2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

In an effort to improve maternal health outcomes, directors of three organizations (community-based doulas, Nurse Family Partnership, and a community health center) share lessons learned from ten years of collaboration to improve maternal health outcomes in a Central Texas community. Common partnership barriers that slow the efficacy of achieving shared goals include territorialism, a lack of bi-directional service sharing, and political differences. Presenters offer innovative and applied recommendations for promoting community equity and maximizing the reach of all participants.

FESTA Program: Implementing School-Based Fentanyl and Overdose Prevention Supporting Tucker’s Law (October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Fatal fentanyl overdoses among adolescents ages 10–19 increased by 182% in recent years (Tanz et al., 2022), and fentanyl is now the leading cause of overdose deaths among individuals ages 18–49 in the US (CDC, 2023). Texas ranks second nationally in estimated cases of Opioid Use Disorder, with Hays County reporting 70 fentanyl-related overdoses since 2022, with half of those being under the age of 18 (Texas Department of State Health Services, 2023). Tucker’s Law was passed in 2023, which requires Texas public school students in grades 6–12 to receive fentanyl education. The Fentanyl Education and Support Training Awareness (FESTA) Program is a school-based prevention initiative serving youth in grades 6–12 across three school districts in Hays County, Texas. The FESTA Program is a $1.87 million federally funded program through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) from 2024 to 2029. Grounded in SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework, FESTA builds prevention capacity through evidence-informed classroom presentations, naloxone/Narcan education, and community training. FESTA operates through close collaboration with San Marcos CISD, Wimberley ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Katherine Anne Porter School, and San Marcos Excel Academy, alongside community partners including Texas ICON, Cenikor, Hill Country MHDD, the Hays County Public Health Department, and the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. The program systematically collects and analyzes participation and feedback data to inform continuous improvement and guide program activities. Participant feedback across age groups has been overwhelmingly positive. Students reported exceptional engagement, while adults emphasized the program’s relevance, emotional impact, and value in preventing overdose-related loss. In just 1.5 years, FESTA has reached thousands of students, families, and community members; strengthened community partnerships; elevated public awareness through media engagement; and delivered evidence-informed prevention education. FESTA demonstrates a scalable, collaborative model for strengthening school-based fentanyl and overdose prevention across Texas.

Make 'Em Laugh: How Entertainment Formed Health Education (October 21, 2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

In an age where the vast majority of education has been relegated to slideshows, lectures, Zoom presentation, and click-through online presentations, Mary Parrish has found her own path through using her skills as an entertainer to improve health education. Utilizing techniques learned from performing at Renaissance festivals, improv theater, independent professional wrestling, and even fire breathing, Parrish brings a polymath approach to health education. Her unique mixture of wellness instruction wrapped in vaudeville charm keeps audiences’ attention captive while informing and motivating change. This presentation will equip health educators to incorporate various behavioral theories with theatrical flair to create engaging and entertaining health lessons.