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Science and technology under the open sky

More children and young people now have the chance to learn about science and technology with soil under their nails and wind in their hair. Twenty-four projects across the country have received support from the Villum Foundation to create outdoor learning spaces.
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At a time when children and young people spend increasing amounts of time indoors, and when the connections between people, nature and technological solutions are becoming ever more complex, there is a need for teaching that moves outside. With support from the Villum Foundation, schools can now establish outdoor classrooms where pupils can investigate, experiment and learn with both fishing nets and digital sensors in their hands.

The supported projects range from school gardens and water workshops to outdoor laboratories and energy facilities – all with a focus on strengthening pupils’ science capital through practical and engaging teaching. Grants vary from DKK 300,000 to DKK 4 million and have been awarded to municipal projects, state schools, private schools and educational offers for pupils with special needs.

A Power Plant for Curiosity

One of the supported projects is taking shape in Varde Municipality. Here, the Outdoor Laboratory “Kraftværket” is being established as a learning initiative aimed at pupils with special needs. Nature will become an active partner in teaching as pupils grow vegetables and work with energy, water and soil to experience scientific processes up close.

From Biochemistry to Marine Environments

Another supported project is taking root at Bedsted School in Thy. A new school garden will provide fertile ground for pupils to explore and understand nature in a new and sensory way. With the new garden, fresh air and physical activity will become an integral part of the school day for both mainstream classes and the school’s two special classes.

In the capital, more teaching is also moving outdoors. Four local Copenhagen schools will establish outdoor classrooms, each with its own academic focus – from biochemistry and marine environments to food – and with an emphasis on project-based learning. At Tinderhøj School in Rødovre, a new energy laboratory will make concepts such as energy and electricity tangible and visual.

Science Should Be Sensory

Through this funding programme, the Villum Foundation aims to strengthen children’s and young people’s confidence and curiosity in science.

Ole Laursen, Head of Grants at the Villum Foundation, says:
“Science and technology give us opportunities to explore, understand and change the world. Both children and teachers experience this very concretely in outdoor classrooms, which offer new and often better ways to learn and get close to reality through experiments and hands-on activities.”

This is the first time the Villum Foundation has awarded grants for outdoor learning spaces. With a total of DKK 40 million in support, the participating schools and municipalities now have the opportunity to create learning environments where science and technology come right up close – and where soil under the nails and wind in the hair become a natural part of teaching.

 

Read more about the 24 projects here (in Danish only):

 

About the Outdoor Learning Spaces Programme

  • Focus on real-world, investigative and practical teaching in science and technology
  • Aims to strengthen children’s and young people’s science capital and confidence in science
  • Open to municipalities and primary schools, both individually and in collaboration
  • Supports the creation of physical outdoor learning spaces, such as school gardens, energy workshops and laboratories