Science Outside the Classroom

The project engaged 750 learners aged 3-11 years, from the EHPS (140) , WFPS (120) ,Spain (300) , Sweden (80) and Croatia (110) and include children of differing abilities including children with Special Educational Needs and Severe Learning Difficulties.

Scientific Enquiry increases children’s capacity to problem-solve and answer questions, work with independence and communicate. Effective thinking and reasoning is nurtured alongside qualities such as resilience, determination and confidence. It promotes the acquisition of skills and key competencies , all useful to society , while addressing under achievement in Science .

Support, training and evaluation tools will be provided by the University of Northampton and School to School expertise will shared through three Transnational Meetings and four Learning/Teaching/ Training events which will include training, workshop activities, visits to our Partner Schools and local centres of excellence in fields of Science or Outdoor Learning. Transnational participation and joint training will enable the exchange of good practices between partners with diverse outdoor learning possibilities and experiences and different curricula expectations and accountability. In this way, we will strengthen the profile of the teaching profession , enhancing teachers professional development through collaborative and innovative practices. Intellectual Outputs will include resources that can inspire teachers to put aside textbooks in order to deliver high quality learning and teaching in Science outside the confines of the classroom walls.

The project deliberately focuses on developing the skills of scientific enquiry OUTDOORS with regular opportunities in a rich and stimulating outdoor environment which can offer a wide range of benefits to young and older children. Learning outside the classroom supports the development of healthy and active lifestyles by offering children opportunities for physical activity, freedom and movement and promoting a sense of well-being.

The project seeks to be Inclusive. It aims to cater for a range of learning styles and provide opportunities for pupils to actively engage in hands on experiences by designing and developing curricula that meet the diverse learning needs of students whilst developing skills relevant to the labour market and societal needs. It aims to increase levels of engagement and raise attainment amongst all participating pupils including the disaffected and those with disabilities and learning difficulties.

The Science Outside the Classroom Project (SOtC) seeks to promote the acquisition of basic and transferable skills and key competences, while addressing under achievement in science through effective and innovative teaching and assessment, tailored to specific age groups and differing abilities .Through Scientific enquiry, children can engage in a wide range of collaborative investigative tasks, which allow them to develop important skills to become creative, inventive and enterprising adults in a world where the skills and knowledge of the sciences are needed across all sectors of the economy