Danish Teachers Visit Reykjanes to Explore Outdoor Learning and Creative Teaching

At the beginning of March, GeoCamp Iceland welcomed a group of 19 teachers from Denmark who visited Iceland as part of an Erasmus+ KA1 job-shadowing mobility organised by UCL University College in Denmark. The visit focused on learning more about outdoor education and natural science teaching in Icelandic primary schools, and how local landscapes can be used as an active learning environment.

During their stay, the teachers visited two primary schools in Reykjanesbær – Heiðarskóli and Háaleitisskóli. There they were introduced to everyday school life and had the opportunity to observe a variety of regular classroom lessons with different teachers. The visits provided insight into teaching practices in Icelandic schools and created space for discussions about pedagogy, student engagement, and ways of connecting classroom learning with the surrounding environment.

Introducing the ACADIMIA Project

The programme also included an introduction to ACADIMIA – the European Teacher Academy for Creative and Inclusive Learning, an Erasmus+ project that brings together partners from across Europe, including GeoCamp Iceland.

ACADIMIA focuses on strengthening teacher education through creative and inclusive teaching approaches, supporting educators in developing new methods that can engage diverse groups of students. The project promotes practices such as creative learning, collaborative teaching approaches, and innovative pedagogies that help teachers create more inclusive and engaging learning environments. Through international cooperation and training activities, the project aims to build a strong European network of educators sharing ideas and experiences.

Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark as a Classroom

GeoCamp Iceland also guided the group on a full-day field excursion across Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. The excursion focused on how landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, geothermal energy, and coastal ecosystems can serve as an extended classroom for science and environmental education. Throughout the day, discussions centred on how teachers can use natural environments to support observation, inquiry, and hands-on learning.

The programme included a visit to Grindavík, where the group experienced the dynamic conditions of the Reykjanes Peninsula firsthand, along with some authentic Icelandic weather, as the day included a refreshing snowstorm during the outdoor activities.

The visit concluded at the Suðurnes Science and Learning Center (Þekkingarsetur Suðurnesja), where the Danish teachers were introduced to the centre’s work in marine research, environmental monitoring, and science communication.

International Exchange Through Education
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The visit provided an opportunity for professional exchange between Icelandic and Danish educators and highlighted how international collaboration, outdoor learning, and creative teaching approaches can enrich education both inside and outside the classroom.