Outdoor STEM education
About this course
Learning outcomes
Day-by-day programe
Register for the course
Course calendar
This course is designed and run in accordance with the Erasmus+ Key Action 1 Quality Standards for Courses and is listed on the European School Education Platform.
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About this course
Outdoor STEM education is an innovative professional development course designed for primary, middle, and high school teachers. This course aims to equip educators with the skills and knowledge necessary to create engaging and educational outdoor STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) lessons. Participants will learn how to utilize outdoor environments - from school playgrounds to city parks - to enhance their STEM curriculum. The course includes hands-on training in developing outdoor STEM trails and creating lesson plans that bring science to life outside the traditional classroom. The training will equip teachers with strategies to increase student engagement and motivation, particularly in outdoor and hands-on learning scenarios. By the end of the course, teachers will be prepared to establish their own outdoor STEM trails, fostering a love of learning and discovery in their students.
Learning outcomes
- Understanding the Benefits of Outdoor STEM Education: Gain insight into how outdoor learning positively impacts student engagement, understanding, and appreciation of STEM subjects.
- Lesson Planning and Curriculum Development: Learn to design innovative and effective outdoor STEM lesson plans tailored to various age groups and learning environments.
- Creating Outdoor STEM Trails: Acquire the skills to develop and implement interactive STEM trails in diverse outdoor settings.
- Integrating Technology and Nature: Understand how to blend technology with natural settings to enhance the learning experience.
Day-by-day programe
Training usually takes place between 9:00 and 14:00, followed by after-class activities, that are optional.
DAY 1 - Introduction to Outdoor STEM Education
The program begins with an initial gathering where we’ll cover practical details and introduce the schedule. During this session, participants will have the opportunity to meet each other and share their individual expectations, requirements, and preferences concerning the program’s content and instructional approaches.
Following this, we wil delve into an introduction to STEM education, discussing its significance for everyone and the reasons why STEM literacy is crucial. This will include an overview of Outdoor STEM Education, highlighting its advantages and effects on student learning. We’ll also examine various case studies and existing examples of effective outdoor STEM initiatives.
DAY 2 - Lesson Planning and Curriculum Integration
Important scientific equation: Confucius: I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Workshop on developing outdoor STEM lesson plans.
- How to include storytelling in STEM subjects.
- Principles of creating engaging and educational STEM trails.
- Examples of STEM trails: the Pi number, speed and velocity of objects, geometrical shapes, lines and angles, orientation…
- Guidelines for the Thirsday Project: Developing an outdoor STEM trail.
DAY 3 - Outdoor STEM Trail
- Leveraging technology in outdoor STEM education; using apps and digital tools.
- Safety protocols, risk assessment, and ensuring accessibility in outdoor learning environments.
- Thursday project: Outline sketch of the topic and desired learning outcomes.
- Discussion in groups and feedback from colleagues and trainers on the chosen topic for the development of the STEM trails.
- Final work on developing the STEM trail.
DAY 4 - Project presentation
Field trip to a local park, city center or other outdoor area to present the developed STEM trails.
DAY 5 - Evaluation and farewell
The analysis of gained knowledge and skills and key learning points are discussed as well as planning the follow up activities, dissemination and implementation of learning outcomes.
Closing Ceremony: Certificate distribution and closing remarks, emphasizing ongoing support and resources for participants as they implement their outdoor STEM trails.
Register for the course
You can register for the course by filling the following form.