| Come to discover how outdoor education in Finland is implemented in the curriculum to promote inclusion, sustainability, wellbeing, nature connection and learning of different shool subjects. |
Target audience
Teachers and school staff at pre-primary- primary-lower secondary school
Tuition
30 hours
Objectives
The main objectives of this course are to:
- explore basics and the theoretical background of experiential learning and outdoor education
- to plan and implement safe, goal-oriented outdoor learning activities in schools
- to teach different school subjects outdoors
- transformative learning and teaching sustainability
- review and reflection in outdoor education and experiential learning
Methodology
Pedagogy and methods that participants will be introduced to during the week:
- Experiential learning
- Collaborative pedagogy
- Activity-based methods and non-formal learning in outdoor education • Review and reflection in experiential learning and outdoor education
Content
Monday: Opening day, introduction to outdoor and experiential learning
- Introduction to the program of the week
- Outdoor games and group building activities
- Theoretical framework: Experiential learning and outdoor education
Tuesday: Outdoor learning across the curriculum
- Curriculum perspectives: outdoor learning and enviromental education in the Finnish national core curriculum in primary and lower secondary education
- Outdoor learning in practice: how to use outdoor learning environments to teach different school subjects
- Outdoor learning and environmental education in urban settings within easy reach from the school
Wednesday: Wellbeing effects of teaching outdoos, enviromental education and sustainability
- Example of activities that enhance nature connection, nature observation and minfulness activities
- Environmental education and sustainable thinking: how to teach sustainability and encourage environmentally friendly choices in daily life
- Theoretical perspectives: transformative learning outdoor for sustainability, pedagogical implications of shared experiences in nature
Thursday: Planning and inplementing safe, goal-oriented outdoor education
- outdoor learning in nature destinations
- creating and maintaining a safe learning environment outdoor
- planning and implementing an outdoor educational day outdoor, applying topics learned on previous days in practice
Friday: Outdoor learning in practice
- Visit to a local primary school
- Nature school pedagogy, theory and practice
- Review and reflection of the week
Participants
Minimum number: 15 – Max number: 20
Language
English
Dates
23-27 AUGUST 2027
Provider: JAMK UNIVERSITY – Jyväskylä – OID E10190230 – for the Erasmus Beneficiary module
Cost
TOTAL COST: 480,00 €
THE COST INCLUDES TUITION AND MATERIALS
NOT INCLUDED:
- RETURN train from Helsinki to Jyväskylä
- accomodation/meals
Info and registration
Open for pre-registration:
For more info write to: infosmartedu4all@gmail.com
Trainers:
Tero Lämsä is an experienced educator and project specialist with a strong background in experiential learning, adventure education, youth work and teaching. Currently serving as Senior Lecturer and Head of the Degree Program in Adventure and Outdoor Education at Humak University of Applied Sciences, he has held various teaching, development, and leadership roles at Humak since 2008. His work focuses on pedagogical and curriculum development, open university courses, and research, development, and innovation (RDI) projects. In the beginning of his career, he has worked as a primary school teacher and in coaching event projects and club activities for children and youth, including developing non-formal learning related to active citizenship and entrepreneurship in collaboration with schools and youth work. Tero holds a Master of Education in Elementary Education and Teaching from the University of Jyväskylä, complemented by qualifications in outdoor adventure education, paddling instruction, and wilderness medicine. His interdisciplinary expertise bridges formal education, community engagement, and outdoor experiential learning. Internationally, he has led and participated in several collaborative projects and organized student mobilities as well as actively contributed to Erasmus teacher mobility programs and building international networks on the field. He has a strong commitment to developing international connections, environmental education, youth engagement and outdoor adventure education as a professional field. He is also deeply involved in professional networks, serving as a board member of the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning, and chairperson of Finland’s National Adventure Education Network Advisory Board and local networks. Currently Tero is working on developing a new international university degree program on youth wellbeing, and new courses for teachers and youth work professionals under the theme of “outdoor adventures near you” that aim to equip educators with the skills to design and implement safe, meaningful learning experiences in urban natural environments within easy access from the local school or youth center.
