SESEF have launched their new blog and website which features outdoor learning and creative resources alongside a range of exciting CPD opportunties. They publish an e-newsletter and also consistently put together high quality resources for teaching earth science. Their blog can be accessed here, resources here and their events page here.

Cairngorms Outdoor Learning Competition

What is it?

This is a biennial competition for educational establishments (e.g. schools, nurseries, youth clubs/groups, outdoor centres, etc) to recognise and encourage Curriculum for Excellence work that raises understanding and awareness of the Cairngorms National Park and its special qualities among pupils. Entrants should be bold and creative in their approach and draw from all aspects of the curriculum not just obvious subject areas such as geography and biology.

The competition is run by Cairngorms National Park Authority

There will be three age categories:-

• Early  years and lower Primary 3 – 8 years old
• Upper Primary 8 – 12 years old
• Secondary  12 – 16 years old

If successful what will you win?

There will be a 1^st and 2^nd prize for each age category.

As well as recognition for good work, the successful establishment will be presented with:-

• 1^st Prize £300 grant to develop outdoor learning.
• 2^nd Prize £150 grant to develop outdoor learning.
• A framed ‘winners’ certificate.
• A National Park flag.

We will also promote good entries on GLOW, Education Scotland and Cairngorms National Park websites.

Who can enter and what does it cost?

The competition is free to enter and open to any educational establishment in Scotland.

How do you enter?

Simply complete an entry form (available from alansmith@cairngorms.co.uk ) and tell us in no more than 1000 words (and pictures) –

• about your work on the Cairngorms National Park,
• what difference it has made to your understanding of the Cairngorms National Park.
• what you would do with the grant if you won the competition to further develop outdoor learning opportunities at your establishment.

Don’t be constrained by the format, we’re happy to get a presentation in a format of your choice (DVD, Powerpoint, music etc) so long as it is no longer than 5 mins (about the time it takes to read 1000 words.

The wonderful Glow team in Dumfries and Galloway recently held a series of events about creative outdoor learning and ICT where the children shared their learning through live broadcast on Glow TV. You can watch them all again here. You can still take part in some podcasting and photography challenges and find out more about the epic journey made each year by geese. You can even learn how to make a bird box!

Recently as part of our Glow Meet series on Health and Well-being Outdoors, we had the opportunity to think about the benefits of creating quiet spaces for thinking and reflection. You can watch the glowmeet again here.

As well as looking at some creative work in classrooms where ‘I wonder’ corners were used to help boys with social, emotional and behavioural needs to build their coping and self regulation skills, we also had the opportunity to hear from Rev. Di Williams MBE. 

http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/labyrinth

The Labyrinth at Edinburgh University is being used by staff, students and members of the public as a quiet space for reflecting, especially in the midst of a busy day. Di talked about the benefits of creating Labyrinths for many different purposes, including for celebration and transition. Her book has lots of gorgeous pictures and some excellent ideas for creating different kinds of quiet spaces, as does her website which features work she is engaging with all over Scotland: http://www.diwilliams.com/Still_Paths_-_a_labyrinth_resource/Home.html

We have some schools that are looking at using Labyrinths as part of their work in transition and I look forward to hearing from them about how their different projects go and the impact on their communities.