Strong Collaboration and Inspiration at the UNESCO Schools Education Camp in Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark

On 2 February, Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark hosted a UNESCO Schools–themed Education Camp (Menntabúðir) at Gerðaskóli in Garður. The event proved highly successful, bringing together over 100 participants from 15 schools for an afternoon of inspiration, exchange, and collaboration focused on education for sustainability and global citizenship.

The Education Camp was designed as an open and welcoming space for educators across all school levels. The programme centred on interactive presentation booths, followed by a keynote lecture, allowing participants to move freely, explore ideas at their own pace, and engage in conversations with colleagues from different schools, disciplines, and municipalities.

More than a dozen booths showcased a wide range of projects and ideas connected to UNESCO school values, including outdoor learning, local studies, science, sustainability, human rights, and community engagement. Presentations came from preschools, primary schools, and upper secondary schools across the region, alongside contributions from key partner organisations such as the United Nations Association of Iceland, Landvernd (the Icelandic Environment Association), Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, and Sudurnes Science & Learning Centre.

“The participation was fantastic, and the atmosphere was extremely positive,” says Sigrún Svafa Ólafsdóttir, Project Manager at GeoCamp Iceland & Manager of Education at Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark. Through her work at GeoCamp Iceland, Sigrún Svafa focuses on educational development and outreach, reflecting GeoCamp’s long-term commitment to strengthening outdoor learning, sustainability education, and school–community collaboration within the Geopark. “Education Camps like this create a shared platform where educators can meet, exchange experiences, and learn from one another across school levels and municipalities. This first event exceeded my brightest expectations. It is clear how many exciting and diverse things our schools are doing. Together we are stronger – and we are only just getting started.”

The event concluded with an engaging keynote by Sævar Helgi Bragason, who explored how astronomy can be meaningfully integrated into school education. His talk focused on the total solar eclipse of 12 August 2026, what can be expected from the phenomenon, and the unique educational and public engagement opportunities it presents for the Reykjanes Peninsula. The lecture sparked lively discussion and strong interest among participants.

The Education Camp highlighted the strong momentum within the school community of Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and demonstrated the value of long-term collaboration between schools, the Geopark, and GeoCamp Iceland. Through this shared commitment, the Geopark continues to function as a living classroom, supporting place-based learning, educational innovation, and sustainable development across the region.