StandOutEdu

Environmental &
Outdoor Education
in Non-formal settings

ABOUT

Environmental education (EE) connects us to the world around us, teaching us about both natural and built environments, raising awareness on issues that impact the environment upon which we all depend, as well as actions we can take to improve and sustain it. 

This course is addressed to participants of any specialization, anyone who would like to enrich their repertoire of teaching techniques and ideas in Environmental Education in outdoor settings and anyone interested in studying the science behind natural and man-made places of interest (e.g. National Parks, museums, eco-farms, city historic centres, archaeological sites, nature trails, botanic gardens). The course will be based in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. In order to conduct the practical modules, there will be visits to the Troodos mountain range, to the Cape Gkreko area, which is located on the South-Eastern coast of the island (by the sea) and to the Riverland Biofarm.

Environmental Education has many benefits for youths, educators, staff employed in adult education centres, schools, and communities:

  • Imagination and enthusiasm are heightened through outdoor, hands-on, interactive learning that sparks the imagination and unlocks creativity.
  • Experiential learning outdoors, applying learning in the real world through seeing the interconnectedness of social, ecological, economic, cultural, and political issues.
  • Critical and creative thinking skills are enhanced by encouraging participants to research and investigate how and why things happen and make their own decisions about complex environmental issues. In this way, a new generation is formed of informed consumers, workers, as well as policy or decision-makers.
  • Tolerance and understanding are supported through the investigation of varying sides of issues related to culture, diversity, and beliefs, in order to understand the full picture.
  • The interdisciplinary character of Environmental Education allows participants to integrate science, math, language arts, history, and more into one rich lesson or activity, and still satisfy the academic aims in all subject areas.
  • By exposing participants to nature and allowing them to learn and play outside, Environmental Education fosters sensitivity, appreciation, and respect for the environment. It combats “nature deficit disorder” … and it’s FUN!
  • Healthy lifestyles are encouraged through active learning in natural settings and help participants address some of the health issues we are seeing in children today, such as obesity, attention deficit disorders, and depression. Good nutrition is often emphasized through Environmental Education and stress is reduced due to increased time spent in nature
  • Communities are strengthened since Environmental Education promotes a sense of place and connection through community involvement (community experts, donors, volunteers, and local facilities) to help bring the community together to understand and address environmental issues impacting their neighborhood.
  • Responsible action is taken to better the environment because Environmental Education helps participants understand how their decisions and actions affect the environment, builds knowledge and skills necessary to address complex environmental issues, as well as ways we can take action to keep our environment healthy and sustainable for the future.
  • Participants are empowered through active learning, citizenship, and leadership. It empowers them to share their voice and make a difference at their school and in their communities. EE helps participants build their own environmental knowledge and teaching skills.

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Indicative Training Program (Day by Day)

Day 1
  1. Welcome addressed to the participants by management
  2. Course outline
  3. Ice-breaking activities
  4. Understanding the historical development of environmental education and the emergence of education for sustainable development,
  5. Deep insight into contemporary research and professional work in the fields of outdoor education and environmental and sustainability education,
  6. Sharing of environmental education practices used in different countries/educational organizations
Day 2
  1. Use of non-formal education and outdoor settings to promote Environmental Education, such as fieldwork activities (Study of Seaside Environment) at the Cape Gkreko area (South-Eastern coast of the island by the sea) 
  2. Enhancement of personal and social development for sustainable living
  3. Integration of history, environment, and culture using non-formal education
  4. Experience of the challenges and impact of using outdoor settings in the teaching
  5. Development of skills to use the natural and cultural landscape as a resource in one owns profession
Day 4
  1. Understanding the relationship between art and the environment
  2. Appreciation of the value of taking art teaching in nature settings
  3. Experiencing learning by doing through first-hand and sensory activities in the forest ecosystem of Troodos Mountain Range
  4. Experiencing various instructional approaches connecting to art and Environmental Education and the impact of such approaches in education
Day 3
  1. Exploration of a range of thematic approaches to environmental education
  2. Participation in experiential environmental education activities in a bio-farm and a forest ecosystem or a river ecosystem (winter)
  3. Understanding how local production-consumption models can be fostered through environmental education
  4. Understanding the role of experiential learning in the context of environmental education
Day 5
  1. Final activities
  2. Evaluation of the course
  3. Diploma awarding

NOTE: Dates and Program may be subject to change

DATES

NOTE:
If you are a group of 4 or more people from the same organization and you don’t see any dates that suit your group,  send us an e-mail with the proposed dates and we will make the appropriate arrangements for you!

Course Packages

Package I

€880
    1. Training €400
      • Tuition fee
      • Training material
      • Administration costs
      • Beverages
      • Snacks
      • Certificate of Attendance
    2. Accommodation €480
        • Hotel* room (5 days – 4 nights)
        • Hotel breakfast buffet
        • Hotel complimentary beverages and snacks (24/7)
        • All lunches**
        • Everyday transportation*** to the course venues

*The hotel is 2-stars. However, with all it offers is definitely the best value for money.

** Dinners are not included in the package because some participants choose not to follow our night-outs.

*** Transportation airport-hotel-airport is not included because it is refunded by your organization.

Package II

€500
    1. Training €400
      • Tuition fee
      • Training material
      • Administration costs
      • Beverages
      • Snacks
      • Certificate of Attendance
    2. Transportation €100
        • Everyday transportation* to the course venues from our organization’s premises

*Note that it is the participant’s responsibility to get to our organization’s premises

Package III

€400
    1. Training €400
      • Tuition fee
      • Training material
      • Administration costs
      • Beverages
      • Snacks
      • Certificate of Attendance

*Note that this package is only suitable for participants who choose to handle their own transportation via car rental as this is the only alternative way to travel to the course venues

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