Sustainability and outdoor education
Azores Sustainability, environmental education and outdoor education
6 days
Neuza
This course has been created for teachers who want to have a deeper understanding of sustainability and environment education with innovative indoor and outdoor learning practices.
The participants will start the course with many questions, but the one that all want to know it's: Humans can still help the planet in time? What can I do more to help?
For this answer we chose the most adventurous week in São Miguel Island on the archipelago of the Azores. This archipelago it's formed by 9 islands and has recently received Silver status of international certification as a first archipelago sustainable destination in the world. So it's the best place to learn with them what we can do, to be more sustainable people in the world today. For that we are going to think about our behavior and the way that we communicate with other people, every day, doing some experiences alone, in groups with cooperation, sharing knowledge, fun and respect.
So in this course one of the main goals is create strategies that will help the participants to teach other teachers, the community and children in the school, the best way to preserve the future human life, the ecosystem and the most important thing preserve our planet, for all of us to live.
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 on sustainability and environment. But the best thing is understanding that we can do it, all together. We are almost 8 billion, so 8 billion actions can be done. LET’S SART.
Learning Outcomes
Participants to the course will learn to:
Deep understanding of sustainable education in the environment
Learning how to teach students, community and also family, to improve the idea of sustainability
Including dynamics teaching forms
Creating innovative outdoor teaching activities that promote green action
Understanding the causes of not sustainability vs. sustainable
Inventing new techniques of sustainability environment education
Introducing new strategies in the school areas
Intercultural competences and enhanced cultural awareness
Programme
Azores Sustainability, environmental education and outdoor education
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, deconstruct sustainability
Approaches to outdoor education: fear-based/risk discourse vs positive approach
Reflection - Humans can still help the planet in time?
Day 2
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 by planting a tree 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 (visit a interpretation center)
Visit Terra Nostra Garden, learning about flora and fauna
Reflection - How can I use outdoor learning and observation techniques in my work?
Day 3
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 are the red flags of sustainability?
Day 4 (Course of April)
Boat trip to the islet of Vila Franca do Campo
Outdoor presentation around Vila Franca do Campo about real cases of good vs bad techniques about sustainability at the moment around the world
Working in groups in order to create strategies to promote sustainability in there your action areas
Developing spontaneity, intuition and active listening
Finish the day in Miradouro Senhora da Paz (see the view to Vila Franca do Campo and also the islet)
Reflection - What's the most important information to transmit?
Day 4 (Course of June/July)
Guided visit tour to Serra da Tronqueira and outdoor education about preserving wild flora and fauna
Visit Centro do Priolo and also Parque da Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Developing spontaneity, intuition and active listening during the day
Touching and observing the wild environment around Centro do Priolo
Reflection - How can I use outdoor preserving learning in my school?
Day 5
Guided visit tour to Sete Cidades and outdoor education about preserving wild nature
Pedestrian circuit of the “7 Cidades”/”Lagoas das 7 Cidades” (Walk tour)
Developing spontaneity, intuition and active listening during the walk
Exercise in pairs and alone in a middle of the florest
Touching and observing the wild environment
Reflection - How can I apply experiential and active learning methodologies?
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.