Inspiring environmental learning The touch of nature Inspiring environmental learning: Art in nature Outdoor & Environmental education Environmental protection Stay & play outdoors Discover through senses Recycling & creativity Nature studies Eco schools Connecting to nature & discover its inspiration. By Cursus Iceland. 7 day seminar on Inspiring Environmental Learning in Reykjavik Iceland. The aim of the seminar is to give teachers, trainers and facilitators ideas and ways of harvesting the touch of nature, the inspiration and stimulation. We explore ways to connect the person and the surroundings via learning, activities and tasks, building capacity to care for environment. The seminar program provides a solid overview of environmental learning and variety of methods to bring the lessons out under the open sky. Seminar topics are lead by recognized experts, academics, researchers and practitioner. Seminar fee: 525 Accommodation, meals & activities: Accommodation is on a seasonal rate. 400-630 Meals & activities. 350 Cursus Iceland Ármúli 29 108 Reykjavík Iceland Tel: +354 571 9095 www.cursusiceland.com Cursus Iceland ehf. is a seminar & event organizer, specializing in organizing seminars, events and tours with educational & experiential aim under the open sky.
Duration: The duration of the seminar is 7 days, with a short closing session on day nr. 6. The seminar starts at 15:00 Sunday afternoon. Location: The seminar location is in the center of Reykjavik and Reykjavik surroundings, with access to several great outdoor areas in the nearby surroundings. Content: The seminar consists of lectures, workshops, field trips, observations, hands-on learning, discussions, tasks and physical activities, and as well social activities and exchange. All build up to make a maximal gain for the participants. Each day of the seminar is divided in two parts, morning session and afternoon session. Furthermore will each day be dedicated to a certain topic or field. The morning session will consist of indoors lectures, tasks and discussions with overview of theories, best practices, examples of outdoor education and its field. The afternoon session will consist of outdoor workshops, hands-on learning, observations and activities, where we will try and experience the learning gained from the morning session, creating a comprehensive understanding and ability to achieve the tools and means provided. Objectives: The objectives of the seminar are: To provide creative and inspiring ways to deal with environmental topics. To exchange practices and learn new ways of using the outdoor environment in education. To introduce programs that connect pupils to nature through direct experience. To harvest the methods and practice that build capacity of care for nature. To learn from practitioners and experts variety of tangible programs. To spend time under the open sky for exploration and discover. To practice ways of sensitive approach to the physical.
Program: Sunday. Day 1: Registration & Welcome. Introduction of the seminar, the seminar program, the seminar site, environment and local context. Monday. Day 2: Welcome. General introduction of environmental learning, theory and approach. Group meeting and round session. Introduction of experiential learning, theories and practices. Group activities and team building through outdoor games. Tuesday. Day 3: Sharing session. Outdoor recreation, the adventure and experience. Presentation of a local initiative striving for getting children outside. Presentation of a nationwide program for children and outdoors. Lecture on place and journey. Local experience of adventure in the nature. Afternoon workshop on outdoor adventure and exploration. Optional afternoon excursion to Reykjanes Volcanic peninsula and bathing in the Blue Lagoon. Wednesday. Day 4: Sharing session. Lecture on environmental education & protection within the educative and recreative spectrum. The nature in a curriculum, agenda and goals. Eco schools concepts. Environmental centers approach. Thursday. Day 5: Sharing session. Lecture on Nature, ecological and land art & crafts. The approach and methods. We explore the nature and its elements up close and with a sensitive approach. Through creative way and expression we reach out to establish a relationship to nature. Friday. Day 6: Sharing session. Introduction of environmental learning and recycling with a outdoor workshop. Making sense of the surroundings. Sensatori artwork by the sea, group work and sharing. Optional: The landscape and context of Icelandic nature and elements. Excursion to the south of Iceland (golden circle). Visit to national heritage sites and natural wonders. International evening and dinner. Saturday. Day 7: European dimension in environmental learning, nature art and its role. Highlighting session, discussion and gathering of lesson learned. Evaluation and conclusion.
Seminar schedule: The seminar schedule consist of short lectures, workshops & activities that take place in several locations. The final detailed program might be due to marginal changes prior to seminar start. Inspiring environmental learning Cursus Iceland Seminar modules 7:00 am 8:00 am Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 9:00 am Welcome Outdoor Environmental Nature & Creative adventure protection Eco art recycling 10:00 am Round session Evaluation Environmental 11:00 am learning Place & Eco schools Making sense of Field of practice Journey The surrounding European 12:00 am Dimension 1:00 pm Registration Exp. Learning Outdoor adv. Eco workshop workshop Sensatori art Highlighting & Team building Workshop session 2:00 pm Discussion & 3:00 pm Introduction The landscape & Conclusion Context of 4:00 pm Seminar program Sightseeing Iceland & trip. 5:00 pm Reykjavik & Surroundings 6:00 pm 7:00 pm
Accommodation: Cursus Iceland will organize an accommodation option for all participants. The accommodation will be done according to seasonal availability, prices and number of participants. We will offer a great hotel in the heart of Reykjavik, 7 night stay in the 4thfloor hotel, with breakfast buffet included. Only 50 meters to the main bus central, with the entrance only steps away from the capital main commercial street. Swimming pools, cafés, museums and the city center. This accommodation option is optional. Food and refreshments: Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Coffee, refreshments and lunch at the seminar site. Afternoon coffee and refreshements enjoyed outside. NB: any special food requirements shall be pointed to the seminar leader. gudmundur@cursusiceland.com Transportation: During the seminar there is required domestic transportation, to seminar sites. Included in the seminar fee is bus tickets for travel with the public transport system. All travel as part of the seminar schedule program is covered by Cursus Iceland. Special requirements: The weather in Icelandic can be shifting. Winters can be very cold and the weather can be harsh. Autumn and spring can be unpredictable and therefore should participants bring good warm outdoor clothing, warm socks, hats, gloves and shoes as a large part of the seminar takes part outside. Participants should also take clothing that may become dirty and can hold to the physical activities that take place during the seminar. Prior to the travel planning Cursus Iceland will provide you with detailed information and tips on packing, local condition and forecast. Local situation: Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, with 200.000 habitants in the capital area. International airport is a 40 min drive from the city center. Local currency is the Icelandic Krona. The language is Icelandic, a language that has only slightly changed since the settlement in 870. Reykjavik and surroundings have a world of opportunities for leisure activities and nature challenges.
Expanding the learning venue by stepping outside. Creative methods to connect with nature, the self and society. Seminar sessions in Iceland 2015/2016 Cursus Iceland offers a great selection of seminars with focus on the outdoor, nature, landscape, society, environment and the individual. Via creative and inspiring methods you engage and learn about options that will help you implement your surroundings in your teaching/training practice. The following seminars are scheduled for 2015 / 2016. Seminar on Outdoor education, landscape and outdoor venues. -Learning under open sky. Seminar on Outdoor Arts &Crafts. -Approach to natures materials. Seminar on inspiring environmental learning. -The touch of nature. Facilitation & managing of out-of-school events. -Journeys of challenge and experience. Cursus Iceland organizes following seminar sessions in the period 1. June 2015-30. June 2016: The seminars are held in Reykjavik and in the south west of Iceland. Seminar on inspiring environmental learning. -Approach to natures materials. 2015 30.aug - 05.sept 2016 22. - 28. May Application deadline: 04. March 2015 www.cursusiceland.com
Seminar fee: 525 Accommodation, meals & activities: Accommodation is on a seasonal rate. 400-630 Meals & activities. 350 Further information: Gudmundur Hrafn Arngrimsson, Project manager and seminar host. gudmundur@cursusiceland.com Cursus Iceland Ehf. Ármúli 29 108 Reykjavík Iceland Tel: +354 571 9095 www.cursusiceland.com