EVC Spring 2026_magazine_AWdigital - Flipbook - Page 19
Nature & environment
FIELD TRIPS FIT FOR THE FUTURE
Proposed curriculum changes are a
welcome and necessary transformation
that will help to equip students for 21st
century life and work. However, the
outdoor education sector hasn't waited for
these changes; it has constantly evolved
alongside curriculum developments and
in many cases has been pioneering new
approaches, such as:
expanding fieldwork to incorporate
critical thinking about environmental
challenges
exploring how ecosystems respond
to climate change, considering
adaptations, vulnerabilities and
possible futures
using digital technologies for real-world
problem-solving; for example, digital
flow meters to measure river flow,
Geographic Information Systems for
mapping, and iPads and other devices for
recording and assessing data in the field
LEARNING NEAR AND FAR
SUPPORTING EVERY PUPIL
LOOKING AHEAD
Many schools are also discovering
that meaningful outdoor learning
doesn't always require distant travel.
School grounds, local parks and
nearby natural areas can provide
rich opportunities for environmental
education, particularly when visited
regularly to observe seasonal
changes and ecological patterns.
Perhaps the most significant
evolution in outdoor learning
has been the growing emphasis
on accessibility and inclusion.
Organisations such as Field Studies
Council now offer grants and
subsidised programmes to ensure
that outdoor learning isn't limited to
pupils from privileged backgrounds.
As the curriculum continues to
evolve, outdoor learning will remain
central to environmental education.
For teachers, your goal is to balance
curriculum demands with the need
for authentic, engaging encounters
with nature.
That said, if time and cost permit,
time spent away from home on
a multi-day residential in new
environments can offer many
benefits, including supporting
independence and providing
immersive learning opportunities.
For example, through its work with
Access Unlimited and projects such
as Generation Green 2 and its Grants
for Schools initiative, the charity
provided more than 10,000 learners
with day and residential visits in 2025.
Building a generation of
environmentally literate citizens
requires all young people to have
meaningful experiences of nature.
THE EVC MAGAZINE – SPRING 2026
By doing so, you're not just teaching
about the environment – you're
nurturing the next generation of
environmental stewards.
When done well, fieldwork and
environmental education offer
something truly precious – learning
that really sticks. They create
memories and understanding that
extend far beyond the classroom,
equipping pupils with the knowledge,
skills and environmental values they'll
need in a changing world.
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