Outdoor Learning and Environmental Education

Course Objectives

• To provide participants with a solid understanding of the principles and benefits of outdoor learning and environmental education.
• To equip educators with strategies to design and implement meaningful outdoor learning experiences.
• To promote active, experiential and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching sustainability and environmental awareness.
• To introduce tools and resources that support the integration of environmental education across different subjects.
• To encourage participants to foster ecological awareness, responsibility and active citizenship through outdoor learning.

Schedule

Module 1 – Introduction to Outdoor Learning and Environmental Education

• Concept and principles of outdoor learning and environmental education.
• Benefits for student engagement, motivation and well-being.
• Links between experiential education, sustainability and 21st-century skills.
• Inspiring examples of outdoor and environmental learning projects.

Module 2 – Designing Meaningful Outdoor Learning Experiences

• Steps to plan and structure outdoor educational activities.
• Defining clear learning goals connected to sustainability and the environment.
• Aligning activities with curriculum objectives and interdisciplinary themes.
• Incorporating inquiry-based and hands-on approaches in outdoor settings.

Module 3 – Using Natural and Community Resources as Learning Spaces

• Exploring local environments as outdoor classrooms (gardens, parks, urban spaces, forests, beaches).
• Building partnerships with local organisations, communities and environmental institutions.
• Creating low-cost and accessible resources for outdoor learning.
• Strategies for making any outdoor space a learning opportunity.

Module 4 – Environmental Education and Sustainability Topics

• Teaching about climate change, biodiversity, waste reduction and sustainable living.
• Integrating environmental education across subjects (science, geography, arts, citizenship).
• Designing projects that connect students with real environmental issues.
• Raising students’ awareness of their role as active citizens in sustainability.

Module 5 – Active and Collaborative Methods in Outdoor Learning

• Strategies to foster collaboration, problem-solving and critical thinking in nature.
• Storytelling, games and role-play for environmental education.
• Fieldwork and observation techniques for experiential learning.
• Creating meaningful group challenges and inquiry-based activities.

Module 6 – Assessment and Reflection in Outdoor Education

• Assessing skills and knowledge developed through outdoor learning.
• Designing rubrics and tools to evaluate hands-on activities and projects.
• Encouraging student reflection and self-assessment in real-world contexts.
• Documenting and showcasing learning outcomes to the school community.

Module 7 – Designing Your Own Outdoor and Environmental Project

• Framework for planning a complete outdoor learning project.
• Selecting topics, resources, locations and strategies for implementation.
• Integrating sustainability goals into the curriculum.
• Structuring the project timeline, roles and assessment plan.

Module 8 – Implementation, Sharing and Next Steps

• Strategies for successfully introducing outdoor and environmental education in schools.
• Overcoming challenges and ensuring inclusivity and safety outdoors.
• Sharing participants’ project ideas and building collaborative networks.
• Creating personal action plans to integrate outdoor learning into teaching practice.