Sustainability and outdoor education
Azores, Preserving Nature: Teaching sustainability skills
6 days
Neuza
This course has been created for teachers who want to have an effective approach to nature and sustainability education with innovative indoor and outdoor learning practices.
The participants will start the journey in one of the most beautiful places in the world - São Miguel Island on the archipelago of the Azores. This archipelago it's formed by 9 volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and has recently received Silver status of international certification as a first archipelago sustainable destination in the world.
Teaching sustainable skills about the best way to preserve nature it's the main point of this course and for that we are going to learn how to teach others, every day, doing some experiences alone, in groups with cooperation, sharing knowledge, fun and respect. We are also going to be in contact with wildlife, nature and people to observe, understand and instruct what we can do to help them.
Participants will leave the course full of knowledge on how to make the learning process easier and more interesting based on the factors of mindfulness and positive education skills about preserving nature, in different places and times.
Learning Outcomes
Participants to the course will learn to:
Learning ways to preserve nature and all the ecosystem
Instructing how to teach students, community and also family, to improve the idea of sustainability and protecting nature
Including dynamics teaching forms
Creating innovative outdoor teaching activities that promote green action
Inventing new techniques to preserve nature
Introducing new strategies in the school areas
Intercultural competences and enhanced cultural awareness
Programme
Azores, Preserving Nature: Teaching sustainability skills
Day 1
Introduction of the course and the participants
Ice break group energy
Setting goals for participants
Presentations of the participant's schools
Discussion and sharing experiences about group dynamics
Approaches to outdoor education: fear-based/risk discourse vs positive approach
Reflection - Nature vs. Sustainability
Day 2
Guided visit tour to Serra of Tronqueira and outdoor education about preserving wild flora and fauna
Special attention to a bird - Priolo
Developing spontaneity, intuition and active listening
Exercise in pairs and alone in a middle of the florest
Touching and observing the wild environment by doing a small walk trail looking for Priolo
Reflection - How can I use outdoor preserving learning in my school?
Day 3
Boat trip to the islet of Vila Franca do Campo (morning on the islet)
Outdoor education around Vila Franca do Campo to observe/visit some museums and traditional shops
Learning different ways to preserve nature every day in different situations
Seeing the evolution of conservation of nature in the last 50 years
Doing some practice exercises
Day 4
Whale and dolphin watching
Developing considerations about wildlife and conservation
Learning efficient ways to teach students, community and also family
Sharing experiences of outdoor education
Reflection - What can we still do to be more sustainable and green?
Day 5
Guided visit to Caldeira das Furnas and outdoor education about climate change
Developing spontaneity, intuition and active listening
Exercise in pairs: Eye-contact and expressing emotions
Touching the wild environment and also doing a small walk trail around a lake (seen the traditional "Cozido das Furnas")
Small approach to the Biology area and how this can help sustainability/preservation (visit a interpretation center)
Visit Terra Nostra Garden, learning about flora and fauna
Reflection - What's the best strategy to teach everyone about preservation?
Day 6
Outdoor Education “activity in the city of Ponta Delgada”, which works on various areas of knowledge: STEAM; HISTORY and NARRATIVE; PROBLEM SOLVING AND CIVIC COMPETENCE;
Summary of key learning points
Open discussion on possible future collaborations and planning follow up activities
Final course evaluation and feedback
Validation of learning outcomes and handling certificates
Materials, digital tools & other learning resources
Course participants will receive training and engage in exercises designed to develop their skills as trainers. The provision of additional materials or resources will be determined based on the course structure and the instructor’s approach to meeting the learning objectives
Course package content:
Services and activities included in the course package are those described above. Please note that accommodation, transport, and meals are not provided.
Cancellation & changes:
Common sense prevails when it comes to cancellations, which are analyzed on a case-by-case basis.