Currently Available Training Opportunities with Tim Merriman and Lisa Brochu – Scroll down to Register for HEART Trainers’ Course – October 6-8, 2025; Continue to scroll for other classes.
Learn to Use ChatGPt and other AI Resources in Interpretive Experience Development- Limit of 14 per seminar
A Three-Hour Seminar/Workshop for Guides, Interpreters and Trainers – Thursday, Jan 5, 2026, Friday, 12 to 3 PM Hawaii time (2-5 PM PDT, 3-6 PM MDT, 4-7 PM CDT, 5-8 PM EDT) – $40
Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance the planning and delivery of interpretive experiences. Designed for guides, interpreters, and frontline staff, this practical session connects emerging tools with Interpretive Approach values.
What you’ll gain:
- An overview of AI tools useful in interpretive experience planning and creation of logos and other artworks
- Techniques for audience analysis and theme development using AI
- Guidance on ethical, inclusive, and mission-aligned AI use
- Hands-on demos of AI-assisted scripting, image creation, and more
Who should attend:
- Park, Zoo, Nature Center, Botanic Garden and Museum staff
- Volunteer coordinators
- Tour guides and educators
- Interpretive planners and trainers
Stay ahead of the curve—learn how AI can support, not replace, your interpretive voice. Empower your storytelling with tools that deepen connections and enrich experiences. Want to expand your interpretive toolkit with the help of AI—without losing your voice or values?
Join Tim Merriman, Ph.D. and Toby Merriman, MFA, Assistant Director of Center for Virtual Expression at Southern Illinois University for a three-hour Zoom seminar/workshop on how to use AI resources in interpretation – Oct. 3, 2025, 12 to 3 PM Hawaii time (3-6 PM PDT, 4-7 PM MDT, 5-8 PM CDT, 6-9 PM EDT)
This seminar is designed for guides, interpreters and trainers who want to blend technology with meaning-making—and who believe that AI can be a partner in inspiring care. NOTE: You do not need ChatGPT 4.0 to take the seminar but to have your own specialized GPT Assistant later you will need ChatGPT 4.0 Plus which costs $20/month. But free versions of ChatGPT still do most everything you will need to do to use AI powerfully to create themes, objectives, questions, talking points and more.
Bring your curiosity and leave with a new voice for your mission.
Using AI to Improve Your Interpretive Experiences Tuesday, Jan. 5 – 12 PM Hawaii Time
Three-hour AI Skills seminar/workshop for Guides, Interpreters and front-line communicators Jan 5, 2026, 12 to 3 PM Hawaii time (2-5PM PDT, 3-6 PM MDT, 4-7 PM CDT, 5-8 PM EDT) Time – Questions: timfmerriman@gmail.com or 808-854-3555. If buying for more than one participant, send email addresses of them to Tim.
$40.00
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HEART Approach to Interpretation – Train the Trainers Course – January 26-28, 2026 Mon.-Wed.- 8 AM – 12 PM Hawaii Time (10 AM – 2 PM PDT, 11 AM – 3 PM MDT, 12-4 PM CDT, 1-5 PM EDT)
with Tim Merriman, Ph.D.
Are you ready to deepen your interpretive impact and inspire others through transformative communication?
Join us for a dynamic three-day, 12-hour, virtual workshop that introduces both foundational and forward-thinking ideas (including AI) in interpretation of natural and cultural heritage—guided by the HEART approach: Holistic, Engaging, Appropriate, Rewarding, and Thematic.
This is not just another training—it’s a flexible, hands-on experience designed for CITs, experienced interpreters, and trainers seeking a fresh, holistic perspective.
🧰 You’ll leave with a full suite of customizable training materials (including HEART Manual, Trainers’ Handbook, handouts and activities) that can be made unique to your training style and to adapt for your own workshops and audiences.
🕗 Workshop Schedule (All sessions 8 AM – 12 PM Hawaii Time – 10 AM – 2 PM PDT, 11 AM – 3 PM MDT, 12-4 PM CDT, 1-5 PM EDT
- “Throughout this course, we’ll be exploring how to communicate more meaningfully—using the HEART Approach—but we’re also going to explore how we create and teach more effectively using new tools.
- That includes ChatGPT—specifically, a HEART custom version created just for HEART trainers and interpreters.
- This GPT knows the HEART model inside and out. It can help you:
- Write and refine strong themes and sub-themes.
- Build stairstep models and experience plans.
- Explore questioning strategies and audience psychographics.
- Design engaging, mission-based programs—and evaluate them.
- And even support your own facilitation and training sessions.
- You can think of it like a colleague who’s always ready to brainstorm, clarify, or offer new ideas—one that understands both interpretation and HEART at a deep level.
💵 Fee: $250
Jan. 26-28, 2026 HEART Trainers Course -8 AM-12PM Hawaii Std. Time
Training Trainers to use the HEART Interpretive Curriculum
$250.00
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Interpretive Planning (Virtual Training) with Lisa Brochu
No currently scheduled courses – if you want one for three or more people,
Contact Lisa Brochu at lbrochu57@gmail.com for more information.
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Contract Management for Interpretive Sites and Contractors (Virtual Training)
No currently scheduled courses – if you want one for three or more people,
Contact Lisa Brochu at lbrochu57@gmail.com for more information.
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