{"id":75879,"date":"2026-10-15T14:41:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T11:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sykli.fi\/?post_type=blogi&p=75879"},"modified":"2026-10-27T14:59:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T12:59:30","slug":"the-truth-is-out-there-the-out-of-the-box-sustainability-education-in-finland-course-encourages-participants-to-boldly-step-outside-the-box","status":"publish","type":"blogi","link":"https:\/\/sykli.fi\/en\/blogi\/the-truth-is-out-there-the-out-of-the-box-sustainability-education-in-finland-course-encourages-participants-to-boldly-step-outside-the-box\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth Is Out There!\u00a0The Out of the Box \u2013 Sustainability Education in Finland course encourages participants to boldly step outside the box"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rain drums against the landscape. We set off on foot, leaving behind the deep green forest and making our way across a damp, grey agricultural landscape. The rain soaks us, but it also energises us! Fears about teaching outdoors are often linked to rain\u2026 but now the teachers taking part in this Erasmus+ training course can only laugh. What an experience! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following day, participants find themselves working together in the creative circular economy game, designing rainwear made from reused materials to be rented out to tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New perspectives on outdoor learning and a sustainable future <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

How can we create learning experiences that inspire people to think differently, make use of nature as a learning environment and strengthen sustainability competences? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These were the key themes explored during the international Out of the Box <\/em>course<\/a>, which brought education professionals from Croatia and Slovenia to Finland in September 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the course week, participants had the opportunity to experience practical outdoor learning methods, environmental education tools and creative activities designed to encourage them to approach their work from fresh perspectives. The programme combined theory, hands-on activities, learning in nature and peer learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical methods to take straight back to work <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to participant feedback, the course was extremely valuable. Practical exercises, hands-on activities and a variety of game-based learning methods received particular praise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’m going home feeling motivated, full of new ideas and also happy to realise that we’re already on the right track in many areas.”<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants felt they had gained practical tools for integrating nature-based activities into curriculum objectives and exploring sustainability topics in more engaging and participatory ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The practical approach to environmental competences, the European GreenComp framework and circular economy themes was considered particularly valuable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nature as a learning environment <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The course strengthened participants’ skills and confidence in teaching outdoors and highlighted the importance of nature in supporting learning, wellbeing and creativity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many participants reported gaining fresh insights into how learning in nature can support children’s and young people’s development and education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One participant described their most important take-away from the course as follows: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I learnt how to connect nature-based activities with curriculum content.”<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another participant emphasised how the outdoor exercises had helped them embrace learning opportunities in an entirely new light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A positive impact on workplaces and organisations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The benefits of the course extend beyond the experiences of individual participants. According to the feedback, participants are keen to introduce new methods, games, activities and perspectives into their own organisations and workplaces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants believe the training will contribute to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n