Being in contact with the outdoors has a profound positive impact on human cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development—a connection that has existed since prehistoric times. Even today, walking in nature or observing natural and urban landscapes can inspire, challenge, or influence us in meaningful ways. Outdoor education is an innovative teaching approach that addresses two of today’s most pressing priorities: delivering high-quality, lasting education and fostering awareness of the importance of protecting our planet in the face of climate change.

​The new edition of the course “Outdoor education: a new way of teaching and learning” took place in Tenerife from 11/08/2025 to 25/08/2025. The participants came from Poland: Mariola, Jadwiga, Krystyna, Anna, Helena, Anna and Małgorzata in Stowarzyszenie Pszczyński Uniwersytet Trzeciego Wieku.

Starting from the definition of Outdoor Education, we explored the many ways teachers can help students engage with the outdoors—a concept that goes beyond forests and natural landscapes. Part of the training focused specifically on Urban Outdoor Education, highlighting how city environments can also serve as rich learning spaces. Participants practiced teaching subjects such as science, math, music, art, and language through activities that directed students’ attention to their surroundings, demonstrating how everyday environments can become dynamic classrooms.

​Another part of the course focused on practicing a variety of activities and tools in local parks. Participants highly appreciated these hands-on games and exercises, which not only inspired group sharing but also encouraged them to design their own outdoor learning experiences.
The course also explored the principles of Non-Formal Education (NFE), a pedagogical approach that underpins many outdoor activities. NFE places students’ direct experiences at the center of the learning process. By guiding participants through the full experiential cycle and asking thoughtful reflective questions, students can connect newly acquired knowledge to their own lives and apply it meaningfully.
The final part of the course was dedicated to designing tailored outdoor experiences for each participant’s target group. After exploring the principles of outdoor learning, discovering Kurt Hahn’s 10 rules and their deeper meanings, and engaging with a variety of urban and natural activities, participants spent the last day creating an outdoor lesson aligned with the subject they teach.

​Taking into account the age, skills, and learning objectives of their students, each teacher meticulously planned their session, presented it to the group, and received constructive feedback for improvement. This week itself served as a powerful example of the effectiveness of experiential outdoor learning. Through hands-on practice, participants experienced firsthand what an outdoor education activity entails and gained the skills needed to design similar experiences for their own students. The course provided a wide range of activities and games that teachers can replicate in their classrooms and beyond, demonstrating that meaningful learning can extend far beyond the traditional classroom walls.

​Discover more about this course  here.