Nordplus Preparatory Meeting in Iceland

Nordplus Preparatory Meeting in Iceland: Laying the Foundation for ‘Ripples of Knowledge’

From 15–17 January 2025, representatives from four partner institutions gathered in Iceland for a Nordplus Junior preparatory visit, setting the stage for an exciting new project focusing on outdoor education and STREAM-based learning. Hosted by GeoCamp Iceland, the meeting brought together educators from Alytus Piliakalnis Progymnasium (Lithuania), Palsmane Elementary School (Latvia), and Lasnamäe Vene Gümnaasium (Estonia), all united by the common goal to enhance students’ engagement with the environment through hands-on, field-based learning.

Day 1: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Outdoor Education

The first day introduced the partners to each other and their respective institutions, with discussions centred around their approaches to outdoor education and the integration of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) subjects. Each school presented its experiences, methodologies, and the challenges they face in implementing outdoor and place-based educationwithin their curricula.

A key focus of the discussions was the challenges and opportunities in outdoor education—including the logistics of field-based learning, teacher training, and how to make outdoor lessons accessible year-round in different climates. Iceland’s unique landscape provided an ideal setting for this discussion, as GeoCamp Iceland showcased how the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark serves as an open-air classroom for teaching natural sciences, sustainability, and geoscience.

The day also featured a short excursion to key geological sites in Reykjanes, where the group discussed the potential of outdoor education in strengthening students’ scientific literacy, problem-solving skills, and engagement with real-world environmental challenges.

Day 2: Drafting the ‘Ripples of Knowledge’ Project Proposal

Building on the insights gained during the first day, the second day was dedicated to formulating ideas and structuring a Nordplus Junior application. The partners worked collaboratively to develop the concept for a project that will focus on leveraging outdoor education in close proximity to primary schools.

Titled ‘Ripples of Knowledge: STREAM-Based Outdoor Education for a Greener Tomorrow’, the project will aim to:
​

• Develop and implement STREAM lesson plans that can be carried out within close proximity of school buildings, making outdoor learning more accessible and practical for teachers.
• Encourage students to engage with their local environments, using nature as a learning space to enhance understanding of sustainability, biodiversity, and climate action.
• Promote interdisciplinary teaching methodologies, integrating digital tools, creative learning strategies, and environmental problem-solving.
• Strengthen Nordic-Baltic collaboration in education, fostering the exchange of best practices in outdoor learning and sustainability education.

Partners outlined the project’s key activities, including field visits, teacher training workshops, and student exchanges to share and test newly developed outdoor learning materials. The session concluded with a review of administrative and financial requirements for the proposal.

Day 3: Site Visits and Excursions in Iceland

The final day provided further inspiration through a series of site visits and excursions in Iceland, reinforcing how outdoor education can be effectively integrated into the curriculum, inspiring ideas for the implementation of the ‘Ripples of Knowledge’ project in each partner country.

The preparatory meeting successfully laid the groundwork for the Nordplus Junior application, strengthening the partnership between the institutions and ensuring that outdoor education remains at the heart of innovative learning in the Nordic-Baltic region. With a shared commitment to engaging students with their local environments, the partners are now ready to take the next steps in bringing ‘Ripples of Knowledge’ to life.