Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning

This course offered educators a unique opportunity to enhance their teaching methods by incorporating Outdoor Education. It combined practical experiences with theoretical knowledge, providing teachers with the tools to engage students in both natural and urban environments. By the end of the week, participants gained valuable insights into effective outdoor learning strategies and how to apply them in their classrooms.

The new edition of the course “Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning” took place in Bologna from 03/09/2025- 03/15/2025 . The participants came from all across Europe, with Bordán Bence from Barcsi Széchényi Ferenc Gimnázium és Kollégium in Hungary, Demetra Nicolaidou from Palouriotissa A Primary School in Cyprus, Marianne Hjertaas Sporan, Frøydis Hansen Aasen from Numedal videregående in Norway, Ines Dorothée Pinker, Verena Katrin D‘Silva from Berufskolleg Viersen in Germany, Mari Carmen Mármol Hernández, Encarna Isabel Gómez Campoy from IES Sanje in Spain.
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The course began with an icebreaking activity to help participants connect and share their expectations. This was followed by a guided brainstorming session on the meaning and applications of Outdoor Education, where participants explored its main pedagogical trends and benefits in modern education. Later, participants introduced their schools in a presentation session, sharing insights into their educational systems and teaching environments. This exchange provided a valuable opportunity to compare different approaches to Outdoor Education across Europe.

Participants engaged in practical Outdoor Education activities at Villa Ghigi, a scenic park in Bologna known for its rich biodiversity. This hands-on experience allowed them to explore how outdoor environments can enhance learning and provided inspiration for integrating nature-based activities into their own teaching practices.

A significant part of the course focused on Non-Formal Education (NFE), a pedagogical approach that aligns well with Outdoor Education. Participants applied this method in an outdoor activity, emphasizing experiential learning. This was followed by an Educational Treasure Hunt, where they explored strategies to make outdoor learning engaging and interactive.
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Participants took part in an Urban Outdoor Education activity in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s most famous square and a historic landmark. This experience demonstrated how urban spaces can be transformed into interactive learning environments, allowing participants to explore the city while engaging in educational activities.

On the final day, participants focused on risk management and prevention for the preparation and implementation of an outdoor activity. This involved learning how to assess potential risks, plan accordingly, and ensure safety during outdoor education experiences. Various tools and strategies were introduced to help teachers manage safety effectively in outdoor environments.

The group then explored the steps for preparing an outdoor education activity, learning how to structure lessons and plan activities in a natural setting. The tools and methods learned earlier in the course, such as those applied at Villa Ghigi and Piazza Maggiore, were incorporated into the planning process.

Participants took part in a group-based activity to observe and map a location for an outdoor activity. This exercise allowed them to apply their newfound knowledge in real-life contexts, learning to assess the suitability of various environments for different educational activities.
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Teachers engaged in an outdoor education activity for teaching various school subjects, applying the concepts learned throughout the course to design cross-curricular lessons. They experimented with methods from earlier days, such as using urban spaces and natural environments to teach subjects like science, mathematics, and art.

To conclude the course, participants took part in a final reflection and sharing activity. They discussed their experiences, exchanged ideas, and reflected on how they could integrate outdoor education into their own teaching practices. The course concluded with a certificate ceremony, where participants were recognized for their efforts and achievements throughout the week.
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Discover more about this course  here.