classroom under the trees Erasmus Project

Project Title

classroom under the trees

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Disabilities – special needs; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

The main purpose of the international project “Classroom under the Trees” is to use the educational potential of nature to support and stimulate individual development by creating positive learning experiences in different ecosystems. Close experiences with nature are reducing in the general population but this project focusses particularly on children and young people whose access to regional natural areas is difficult and limited and who need personal assistance to achieve direct, primary and deeper natural experiences. As the project partners are special schools, focussing on the education of students with profound special needs, nearly all participating children and teenagers have a severe learning disability. However, there will be a small number of Austrian students without special educational needs who are taught inclusively in the projektschools in Austria.
With our background in special education the three schools will explore and realise possibilities for authentic and genuine experiences of nature. We aim to open and expand the perception and awareness of our students- both on a theoretical and a practical level. By participating in the project the learners have the chance to get to know and experience different natural habitats in their own way and by personal interaction. The aim will be to develop a close relationship to nature whilst exploring and understanding their own personalities and identities. The project is based on established methods of pedagogy, flow- learning and wilderness education. Participants will experience free and guided activities to strengthen their connection with the natural environment and learn to respect and interact with flora and fauna. This will form the basis for environmental, friendly and sustainable thinking. Also to encourage students to take personal responsibility for global challenges such as climate change.
The exchange of this environmental curriculum will improve the quality of our schools’ education. The principal educational goals developed will be integrated in school programs and the corresponding curriculum in the area of “outdoor education” and “sustainable development”. The participating teachers will look at the ways of implementing and using different concepts for a “green classroom”. This will form a learning platform for knowledge about nature. It is also hoped to include a library for education material and methods which teachers can share and use in their own settings.
The project is carried out is an international project between a German, an English and two Austrian special schools. Besides the continous and connected work by every project partner, two joint teacher exchanges are planned. Teachers of all schools can discuss certain topics in the field of environmental and outdoor education. The project will include, jobshadowing, joint planning of activities and resources for students and corporate participation in nature educational seminars. This will allow the teachers to develop and extend their personal experiences and competencies and create new ideas. Additionally, experts on nature and outdoor education will contribute professional and practical ideas. These are also used in the four scheduled student exchanges. 15 students accompanied by 4 teachers will travel abroad to participate in joint learning events. To reflect the diversity of our students we include children and young people of different ages and with varying degrees of physical and cognitive impairment. The students will also come from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. The schools have been chosen as each is sited in a different landscape and the introduction of the students to a contrasting environment is a key factor in this project.
On a long term view the project tries to open new perspectives in education and provide new and deeper insights in nature and environmental education to all direct and indirect participants. It is hoped that the schools involved will be able to rethink their whole curriculum and timetables so that nature will be integrated and made a key focus. The project results will be evidenced by differentiated collections of topics and teaching methods. This will allow teachers and students to better commit to the protection of our natural world and to take responsibility for the future. The project “Classroom under the Trees” is intended to be a model for other schools and educational facilities to use in the future, which in turn will encourage further projects. It is also hoped to build a culture of harmony and understanding between the three countries.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 101622 Eur

Project Coordinator

Schule “Am Rönsbergshof” & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Johann-Eisterer-Landesschule
• Nikolaus Lenau Schule
• Kings Mill School