THE OUTDOOR LEARNING CHALLENGE: SCOTLAND’S BIGGEST OUTDOOR LEARNING EVENT RETURNS!

In September, primary school learners from across Edinburgh took part in the Outdoor Learning Challenge – the largest outdoor learning event in Scotland! Over 2,000 primary 6 children got stuck into a range of sustainability-focused activities in Holyrood Park, right on Dynamic Earth’s doorstep.

To support teachers in delivering Learning for Sustainability goals in the classroom, as well as inspire teachers on ways to do outdoor learning at their schools, the Outdoor Learning Challenge hosted over 25 different providers running a huge range of activities. Topics ranged from archaeology, to orienteering, to biodiversity!
Dynamic Earth’s activities focused on exploring the park’s trees through exploration and identification, with resources also provided to teachers to help explore Holyrood Park and its history of volcanism and glaciation.

Jack and Joe from the Learning and Engagement team start setting up on day one on a sunny September day!

The event was organised and led by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Outdoor Learning Team and delivered in partnership with us, the Historic Environment Scotland Ranger Service and Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh.
Our Science Learning and Engagement Director, Conor Ellis, said:
“Connection to nature is so important in promoting positive health and wellbeing and stewardship of the planet. I’m so delighted to see the Outdoor Learning Challenge return and know that the event will provide fantastic opportunities for thousands of the capital’s children and young people across the two days!”

Plans are already underway with partners to plan for running this event again in future, helping us to connect thousands more learners with the great outdoors in Edinburgh through partnerships from providers across the country.