The overall objective of STE(A)M IN THE FOREST was to build the capacity of STE(A)M teachers to deliver educational activities in forests and parks, taking into account inclusive practices for students with special education needs (hereinafter, SEN) and disabilities. The overall objective was broken down into two specific objectives: SO1: Build the capacity of STE(A)M and SEN teachers to deliver forest-based activities; SO2: Address the barriers and identify solutions regarding the participation of SEN students and students with disabilities in forest-based activities. To achieve these objectives, we have created two main results: R1: A new international network of STE(A)M and SEN teachers allowing them to exchange forest-based lessons and share practices for inclusive education. Through the organisation of international mobility and the delivery of piloting sessions in the different countries, we developed the skills, capacity and interest of teachers across Europe to deliver forest-based activities. R2: A new online CPD course for teachers "Teaching STE(A)M in Forests" and its piloting with 22 teachers across the EU. Following the piloting, 15 teachers have delivered STEAM-based activities in local forests with pupils.
The project STE(A)M IN THE FOREST aimed at answering the need for primary and lower secondary school teachers to gain practices, knowledge and competencies to valorise the forest environment to deliver quality and inclusive STE(A)M education activities. The reason behind the choice of forest school as an educational setting was the wide amount of benefits that this approach brings to pupils, such as intellectual development and social and physical development. This approach has been already used in northern Europe - including Ireland - and the project leveraged this experience to provide STE(A)M teachers the capacity to implement it in their countries. Moreover, forests provide an innovative environment to learning STEM and ARTS: from understanding biological concepts by watching the relationship of plants and animals, to mathematical skills summing up the circles of trees, the possibilities are infinite. The project contributed to the development of the European Educational Area, by: - facilitating mobility for educators and international cooperation between education institutions, - fostering inclusive education in STE(A)M, - assuring teachers and trainers have opportunities for continuous professional development.