Lifelong Learning through Nature

Project summary

This project is designed to develop an environmental education programme which engages with at least 80% of young people aged 5-21 in Malta, through formal education, vocational training courses, non-formal and informal education. The project will also provide documented evidence to show the importance of connection with nature for health well-being and education, which can be used by international project partners to support implementation in their own and other European countries. The project aims to achieve these objectives by enhancing transnational cooperation between education and training providers and other stakeholders. By working together we can share best practice and learn from each other, neither education nor the environment can be contained within national borders. This project will work to address the EU 2020 objectives of reducing the rates of early school leaving to below 10% (in 2013 Malta's rate was 20.9%). It will do this by providing learning opportunities for all young people including academics, low achievers, those with behavioural or learning difficulties, and those who would rather learn through vocational studies. The current school structure does not suit all young people and alternatives need to be provided to allow the continuation of learning in alternative settings. Through this same process this project will also work to address the EU 2020 objective of 40% of 30-34 year olds completing third level education (in 2013 Malta's rate was 26.0%). If young people are suitably engaged they will wish to continue their studies to remain involved in the programme. The pathways of lifelong learning will also be supported by developing links between formal, non-formal and informal learning. The project also aims to provide a model for designing education policy in relation to science, learning through the natural sciences. It will seek to address the imbalance in Malta in the national education curriculum in science education, particularly at primary and secondary level, and establish pathways for the achievement of a better connection to the growing importance of the environment in European priorities, lifestyles, and concerns. Year one of the project will be based on research, developing innovative ideas, producing relevant resources and working with the Education Ministry to ensure curriculum links and qualifications are in place. Each international project partner will prepare baseline data on the current level of involvement in their environmental education programme and research into the areas where new ideas could be developed. The expert group will then meet to develop a programme plan involving the innovative ideas to be trailed for each partner. Small scale piloting of these ideas will take places in the first year. In this initial stage this project will engage with all primary and kinder schools in Malta, and initially 10% of Secondary Schools. This will gradually increase to 50% Secondary Schools and tertiary level involvement. Year two of the project will see full implementation of the programme plan in Malta with partner organisations from RSPB, BirdWatch Ireland and OTOP visiting to observe and review progress. Following the report from the first year of full implementation the relevant programme ideas will then be developed and expanded to be implemented in both Ireland and Poland. Full implementation will also continue in Malta in the third year with any necessary amendments or additions. The expected result of this project is to engage with at least 80% of young people aged 5-21 in Malta, and to test implementation of the same resources and ideas in Poland and Ireland. This programme will be evidenced by the changes in policy and curriculum, and by the action guides developed. The outline of this programme will be relevant and transferable to other European countries and can be broken down in to sections for gradual implementation. Good practice guides and case studies will be available for dissemination. This project will develop environmental qualifications which are recognised within the education system and in other European countries. This project will provide documented evidence to show the importance of connection with nature for health, well-being and education. There will be long-last effects on the participating organisations, on the policy systems and on the individuals directly or indirectly involved in the organised activities.