We would like to find NORD+ or ERASMUS+ partners developing outdoor education or environmental education training for primary or secondary school teachers.  We have "Outdoor classroom" –project www.ulkoluokka.fi to train teachers to think different and teach more OUTDOORS!

“ULKOLUOKKA” Outdoor classroom -project in Finland is led by SYKLI Environmental School of Finland. SYKLI Environmental School of Finland trains teachers in the use of outdoor classrooms together with the experts from Suomen Latu https://www.suomenlatu.fi/en, LYKE -network http://www.luontokoulut.fi/en/ and the The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation http://www.sll.fi/site-actions/english. FEE Suomi http://www.feesuomi.fi/  and many other organizations are involved.

Nature is diverse learning environment for schools.  Outdoor learning is experimental, experience-based, hands-on learning in authentic learning environments. Outdoor learning gives also healthy physical exercise. The joy of learning is created through a wide range of outdoor practices. Social skills are also strengthened outdoors.  A good relationship with nature created in nature awareness - it is a first step toward sustainable way of life.

Over 100 teachers from seven cities around Finland (Espoo, Hämeenlinna, Lahti, Tampere, Turku, Kuopio and Oulu) are going to participate this “ULKOLUOKKA” Outdoor classroom -project. Teachers will be offered many “outdoor learning” courses and materials during the next three years. Teachers are encouraged to do “outdoor learning” with the class and increase physical activity at school by being outdoors. There will also be an International outdoor learning conference in Turku, Finland, June 2017 www.ulos2017.fi. ULKOLUOKKA (outdoor classroom) -project co-operates also with global campaign “Outdoor Classroom Day” https://outdoorclassroomday.com/   and share ideas also on that website.

The teacher is required to search for “an outdoor classroom” nearby the school and participate in training sessions and meetings. Then start transforming outdoor learning in small steps - first once a month, and then weekly/daily and documenting outdoor learning and sharing the ideas on website via Instagram or YouTube. The project can also help schools to develop their own plans for outdoor learning. Teacher will get free training courses, material and ready-made lesson plans. They can share the ideas with other teachers.   Outdoor classroom is a healthy and balanced learning environment in which pupils learn the new curriculum multidisciplinary.