Targeted to Intermediate English (B1+) speakers.Read more
This is the standard requirement for most courses. Participants at this level can participate actively in discussions and manage everyday and professional situations. If they are unsure about their English level, they can test it here or explore our courses facilitated in Basic English.
Math Teachers.Read more
The listed audiences are those for whom the course is especially recommended, but courses are not exclusive to them and are open to everyone. In fact, most of our workshops are built around the collective sharing of participants’ experiences and having a variety of profiles enriches the learning process and is highly encouraged!
Description
Maths is all around us! It’s in nature, in cities, and in the rhythm of everyday life.
This course explores the opportunities of Outdoor Maths Learning as a creative and interactive approach to teaching mathematics in a more meaningful and engaging way.
Throughout the week, participants will take part in hands-on activities that bring mathematical concepts and practice to life outside the classroom: in parks, local gardens, city squares… even beaches (basically in any place that offers possibilities to learn maths through engaging tasks and experiential learning).
By measuring distances, identifying shapes and patterns, estimating, counting, and solving real-life problems, they will explore how the environment that surrounds them can become a living classroom.
Grounded in the principles of place-based and experiential learning, this course demonstrates how outdoor mathematics helps foster curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
In fact, among the many benefits for students, it’s worth mentioning increased academic performance, higher engagement, and improved motivation.
This approach makes learning more relevant and personalized, it encourages student agency, and helps students understand the mathematical concepts on a deeper level.
In fact, this course not only includes the development of problem-solving skills, but it also shows participants how to design lesson that promotes interdisciplinary links (between maths and science, art or architecture), and that make abstract concepts tangible and relevant for students.
By the end of the course, participants will have gained an increased understanding of the benefits of outdoor education for maths teaching and developed practical activities and lesson plans to use the outdoor maths approach within their own working environment.
They will leave with a toolkit of adaptable lesson plans ready to use in their schools.
What is included
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Understand the pedagogical value of Outdoor and Place-Based Education in Mathematics;
- Identify opportunities in their local environment to teach mathematical concepts through real-world experiences;
- Design and adapt outdoor maths tasks that foster problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration;
- Create engaging activities such as outdoor scavenger hunts;
- Integrate digital tools to collect data, document learning, and extend outdoor experiences;
- Prepare cross-curricular outdoor maths lesson plans.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Introduction to the course
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools.
Benefits and research on outdoor maths
- Key principles and benefits of Outdoor and Place-Based Learning;
- Experiential and task-based approaches to mathematics;
- Group discussion: opportunities and challenges of teaching maths outdoors.
Day 2 – Maths in the city
- Exploring mathematical concepts in urban spaces (geometry, symmetry, ratios, scale);
- Designing activities for different age groups and skill levels;
- How can ICT and AI support urban maths learning?;
- Outdoor activity: city maths walk and field challenges;
- Reflection and discussion.
Day 3 – Maths in nature
- Discovering numbers, measurement, estimation, shape, and space in nature;
- Nature’s code: patterns, symmetry, and the Fibonacci secret;
- Linking maths to STEAM: design, engineering, and creativity outdoors;
- Environmental awareness and sustainability through mathematics;
- Workshop: digital exhibition – bringing the outdoors indoors.
Day 4 – Maths scavenger hunt
- Developing problem-solving and numeracy skills through outdoor games and fun outdoor tasks;
- Logical thinking, pattern recognition, and critical reasoning in action;
- Collaboration and teamwork as key elements of mathematical discovery;
- Workshop: creating your own outdoor maths scavenger hunt.
Day 5 – Maths across the curriculum
- Integrating mathematics with other subjects (science, art, geography, architecture);
- Sharing ideas, lesson examples, and best practices;
- Workshop: designing an outdoor maths lesson plan adaptable to your context;
- Group feedback and discussion.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competences, feedback, and discussion;
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.
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