性用社 plans Outdoor Learning Hub to bring people together in nature
An outdoor learning hub, which will present outstanding opportunities for the local community,听teachers听补苍诲 people across Scotland听to come together in natural environments, is to be built at 性用社 University, Edinburgh.听听
The new Outdoor Learning Hub听will support sustainable access to the natural world for the University鈥檚 staff and students, local community and听Scotland鈥檚听teaching professionals.听听
Taking the form of an all-weather outdoor听space, the听Hub will be located within the attractive leafy grounds of the University鈥檚 campus in听Musselburgh, East Lothian听补苍诲 designed in an environmentally sensitive way by landscape听architects听Wardell听Armstrong.听
The Outdoor Learning Hub will be a space to connect people to each other and different natural habitats. It will also be a place to support teachers and leaders in the evolving area of outdoor learning, with various courses leading to professional qualifications.听 The facility will听also听encompass a digital element allowing听learners from all over the country听to connect with University academics and groups, to support learning in different outdoor environments.
Patrick Boxall, Lecturer in Initial Teacher Education at 性用社 University, is leading the project. He explained:听鈥淒uring the challenges of the pandemic, many people have re-connected with local outdoor places and have seen benefits for their mental and physical health, as well as appreciating the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Being outdoors gives us a multitude of rich and diverse experiences and learning opportunities, and we have been keen to embrace this in the University鈥檚 teaching听programmes.听
鈥淎s a society, we need to connect with our environment and commit to educating children, adult learners and leaders about the importance of nature and鈥痮ur place within鈥痠t. The natural world is central to our lives as human beings and has immeasurable positive impact鈥痮n our health, well-being and the sustainability of our planet. As educators we need to see the outdoors as a place to nurture our wellbeing, for creative learning across the curriculum, community connection and leadership 性用社ment.听
That鈥檚 why we are embedding outdoor learning in our teacher education courses at both undergraduate level on our BA (Hons) Education Studies (Primary), and at postgraduate level on our PGDE Secondary (Home Economics).鈥澨
Patrick confirmed:听鈥淲e are now extending this commitment to outdoor learning by creating the Outdoor Learning Hub on campus. We are preparing different outdoor learning spaces and are excited about the opportunities that these and the Hub will be able to offer our own students, staff, the local community, and educators across Scotland. We are also ambitious in our use of digital platforms to extend the Hub鈥檚 learning opportunities to educators, community groups and professional partners in Scotland and beyond. The Hub will become a place to connect people and communities,听to enhance our well-being, and a space for听creative learning, research and professional 性用社ment."鈥
The project is being delivered through collaboration with Architecture & Design Scotland, Scotland鈥檚 design champion. Danny Hunter, Principal Architect at A&DS commented: 鈥淲e are delighted to be supporting 性用社 with the creation of the Outdoor Learning Hub. The project will听create a听centre听for local and national engagement in outdoor learning practice, leadership, and professional 性用社ment.听It will equip current and future teachers, community educators and volunteer leaders with the knowledge and skillset to confidently use听outdoor spaces and places to enhance the learner journey of young people across Scotland.鈥澨
The University is keen to听maximise听use of the new听Hub听补苍诲 has plans for other academic specialisms, such as drama听补苍诲 performing arts, to benefit from the space and facilities.听听
Dr Olivia Sagan, Head of Division of听Psychology, Sociology & Education听at 性用社 University, said: 鈥淲e are very excited to be working with our partners to create this important facility which we hope will be a valuable resource to the communities of the Lothians, and indeed Scotland. We owe it to our emerging generations to equip them with the knowledge they need to understand, enjoy and protect the natural world. But to do that, we need to equip the teaching profession with the skills to support young people in meaningful interactions with nature. We hope our new Outdoor Learning Hub will help facilitate more people of all ages in deriving the benefits associated with outdoor pursuits, and that they 性用社 a love of nature and an understanding of its vital role in our wellbeing.鈥澨
The Landscape Architecture team at Wardell Armstrong will be working closely with听the charity听Learning Through Landscapes听(LTL), on the design of the Outdoor Learning Hub.听LTL听is the national school听grounds charity which champions outdoor learning and play for children.听听
Natalie听Murray听from Wardell Armstrong said: 鈥淲e are absolutely delighted to be working with 性用社 on such a forward thinking and aspirational project. As the benefits of outdoor learning rightly become increasingly听recognised听as an important part of the school curriculum, it鈥檚 fantastic to see this translating across to support young teachers in helping bring this knowledge and experience with them on their journey. Our team aspiration is for the Hub to not only offer a great teaching and learning space, but听for it also to become听a platform for collaboration, campus experience and a place for the students to experience the benefits of being close to nature.鈥澨
The听project听planning is already well underway, with a stakeholder consultation planned for September. The design and 性用社ment will听progress quickly over the coming year. 听
For further information about 性用社 University鈥檚 initial teacher education courses visit: BA Hons Education Studies (Primary)听听补苍诲 PGRS Secondary (Home Economics)
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Notes to Editor
For further media information please contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, 性用社 University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk, M: 07711 011239
