Outdoor Pedagogy and Climate Action: Teaching Sustainability Through Experiential Learning
A professional Erasmus+ course for teachers, trainers, school leaders and educational professionals who want to bring learning beyond classroom walls and empower students to contribute to environmental sustainability.
Course Description
Outdoor Pedagogy and Climate Action: Teaching Sustainability Through Experiential Learning is a professional development course designed for teachers, trainers, school leaders, and educational professionals who want to bring learning beyond classroom walls while empowering students to become active contributors to environmental sustainability.
As climate change continues to shape the future of our communities, education plays a crucial role in developing environmentally responsible citizens capable of understanding complex environmental challenges and taking meaningful action.
Participants will explore how outdoor learning environments can improve student engagement, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, well-being, and environmental awareness while using parks, school grounds, natural habitats, urban spaces, and local communities as learning environments.
Methodology
This course is based on experiential learning, outdoor pedagogy, place-based learning, inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, environmental fieldwork, collaborative learning, reflective practice, citizen science activities, and sustainability action projects.
Participants will engage in outdoor investigations, environmental observations, field-based activities, collaborative workshops, climate action simulations, nature-based learning experiences, and curriculum design exercises.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles and benefits of outdoor pedagogy.
- Explain the relationship between climate education and sustainability.
- Design outdoor learning experiences linked to curriculum objectives.
- Apply experiential learning methods in environmental education.
- Facilitate student-led climate action projects.
- Use local environments as educational resources.
- Promote environmental awareness and responsible citizenship.
- Integrate climate change topics across different subjects.
- Conduct outdoor investigations and environmental observations.
- Foster critical thinking and problem-solving through real-world challenges.
- Develop climate action initiatives within schools and communities.
- Create an Outdoor Learning and Climate Action Plan for implementation.
Available Dates & Locations
5-Day Training Programme
Foundations of Outdoor Pedagogy and Climate Education
Topics
- Introduction to outdoor learning and experiential education.
- Principles of outdoor pedagogy.
- Understanding climate change and sustainability.
- Environmental literacy and climate citizenship.
- Benefits of nature-based learning.
Tasks
- Course introduction and participant networking.
- Outdoor observation activities.
- Climate awareness workshop.
- Nature connection exercises.
- Reflection and group discussions.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Topics
- Designing outdoor learning experiences.
- Place-based education approaches.
- Using local environments as learning resources.
- Inquiry-based environmental learning.
- Risk assessment and safety in outdoor education.
Tasks
- Outdoor curriculum mapping workshop.
- Environmental exploration activities.
- Learning trail design exercises.
- Field observation tasks.
- Collaborative lesson planning.
Climate Action Through Experiential Learning
Topics
- Climate action and student engagement.
- Environmental investigations and citizen science.
- Biodiversity and ecosystem exploration.
- Sustainable resource management.
- Student-led environmental projects.
Tasks
- Outdoor field investigation.
- Citizen science activities.
- Biodiversity mapping exercises.
- Group sustainability challenge.
- Designing climate action projects.
Sustainability Projects and Community Engagement
Topics
- Project-based learning for sustainability.
- Community-based environmental initiatives.
- Green schools and sustainable practices.
- Environmental advocacy and awareness campaigns.
- Collaboration with local stakeholders.
Tasks
- Sustainability project development workshop.
- Community partnership planning.
- School environmental audit.
- Campaign design activities.
- Peer collaboration exercises.
Developing Outdoor Climate Action Programmes
Topics
- Long-term planning for outdoor learning.
- Monitoring environmental education outcomes.
- Evaluating climate action initiatives.
- Building sustainable school cultures.
- Future trends in climate and sustainability education.
Tasks
- Presentation of Outdoor Learning and Climate Action Plans.
- Peer feedback and improvement session.
- International networking activities.
- Reflection and evaluation session.
- Course evaluation and certification ceremony.
Objectives of the Mobility Experience
- Strengthen teachers’ capacity to use outdoor pedagogy effectively.
- Promote climate literacy and environmental responsibility.
- Encourage experiential and place-based learning approaches.
- Develop practical strategies for teaching sustainability.
- Support student participation in climate action initiatives.
- Foster environmental stewardship and active citizenship.
- Connect schools with local communities through sustainability projects.
- Promote innovative outdoor learning practices across Europe.
Type of Certification Awarded
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