Teacher Mobility to Denmark Strengthens Sustainability and Outdoor Learning in UNESCO Schools

From 15 – 19 March, a group of nine teachers from the Reykjanes Peninsula participated in a professional development mobility to Denmark as part of the Erasmus+ project “Tides of Change: Sustainability and Climate Awareness in Coastal Regions through UNESCO School Collaboration.” 

The project is led by the Federation of Municipalities in Suðurnes Region (SSS), with GeoCamp Iceland, Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, and all primary schools in the region as active partners. It focuses on strengthening climate education, ocean literacy, and field-based learning across UNESCO schools through international collaboration.

The participating group represented eight of the ten primary schools within the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. All participants are teachers engaged in UNESCO school activities, with a shared focus on sustainability education and outdoor learning.

The mobility programme in Denmark centred on job-shadowing and knowledge exchange with UNESCO schools and geoparks. The first visit took place in Odsherred UNESCO Global Geopark, where participants explored practical approaches to outdoor education and place-based learning. The programme demonstrated how geoparks can actively support schools in developing localised, nature-based education and strengthen connections between communities and their natural environment.

Further visits included Rantzausminde School in Svendborg, located within Geopark Det Sydfynske Øhav. The school emphasises international collaboration, cultural understanding, and strong integration of practical and creative subjects, including maker spaces and hands-on learning environments.
Participants also visited Revsvindinge Friskole, gaining insight into the Danish “free school” model, where schools are independently operated with strong parental involvement. The visit highlighted alternative approaches to education, student engagement, and community-based learning.

A key example of sustainability education was observed at Holluf Pile School in Odense, a long-standing UNESCO school. The visit focused on the “From Garden to Stomach” programme, where students engage in growing, harvesting, and preparing food. This initiative integrates environmental awareness, food literacy, and outdoor learning into the curriculum, supported by well-developed outdoor facilities and learning environments.

The mobility concluded with participation in the Big Bang Science Education Conference in Odense, providing exposure to a wide range of teaching methods, workshops, and educational resources in science and outdoor learning.

This mobility is part of a broader Erasmus+ initiative aiming to enhance teacher competencies in climate resilience, outdoor education, and sustainability, while strengthening collaboration between UNESCO schools and geoparks in coastal regions. The knowledge and practices gained during the visit will be implemented across participating schools in Reykjanes, including through the development of lesson plans, outdoor learning activities, and UNESCO Sustainability Weeks.