The first week of October 2024, I conducted a dynamic and engaging three-day workshop, which involved three Spanish teachers who came to explore the concept of an Eco School. The workshop took place from Tuesday to Thursday, in both an indoor and outdoor setting purposely designed to foster creativity, mindfulness, environmental awareness, and a deeper connection with nature.
The workshop kicked off on Tuesday morning with an introductory session focusing on the concept of Eco Schools. The aim of this introductory session was to familiarize the participants with the principles and objectives of creating an eco-conscious learning environment in their school. This initial session which included discussions about sustainability and environmental responsibility and concluded with how to integrate eco-friendly practices into the school curriculum.
The teachers were able to share their thoughts and experiences throughout the morning which was filled with insightful information. Furthermore, we explored how Eco Schools encourage students to engage with environmental issues and adopt a greener lifestyle.
Wednesday morning commenced with a focus on mindfulness and meditation and recognizing the importance of mental well-being in an Eco School setting, we practiced mindfulness techniques which aimed at aiding both students and teachers stay present and connected to the environment. The meditation enabled the participants to de-stress and re-centre, which is fundamental in teaching sustainability, for it emphasizes a slower, more thoughtful approach to interacting with the world around us.
On Wednesday afternoon, we made our way outdoors for an immersive nature experience. The hands-on session encouraged the 3 Spanish teachers to engage with the environment, using nature as both a classroom and a resource for learning. This outdoor exploration not only helped reinforce connection between mindfulness and nature- based learning but also to the participants.
The afternoon was centred around creativity, using the natural environment as our canvas. The teachers participated in a creative outdoor activity, where they collected materials such as leaves, stones, and flowers to craft eco-friendly art. The purpose of this activity was and to demonstrate ways of incorporating nature into the classroom, and to show how students can use their surroundings to ignite their creativity whilst learning about sustainability.
This particular activity proved how outdoor education can foster a deeper understanding and respect for nature, and encourage students to think outside the box while developing eco-conscious habits.
On Thursday morning we focused our attention on the five senses. We engaged in a sensory-based activity where the teachers were invited to explore the environment through sight, sound, touch, smell, and even taste. This multi-sensory approach helped deepen the participants’ connection with nature, demonstrating how sensory activities can be powerful tools for fostering environmental awareness in students.
We wrapped up the workshop by playing the Go Goals game, an interactive educational game developed by the United Nations to teach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Finally, I conducted a talk on Eco labels—symbols that indicate whether products are environmentally friendly. The teachers learned about different Eco labels furthermore guiding students and their families in making informed and sustainable choices when buying products.
By the end of the workshop, the teachers were able to bring home practical tools, gained a variety of strategies in order to foster environmental responsibility in their students and inspiration to integrate environmental education into their classrooms.
Author: Isabel Di Cello, JUMP Trainer
