Interactive nature resource set to help Scottish schools become sustainable learning settings

The flexible resource supports Learning for Sustainability, STEM and digital literacy across the curriculum, and is designed to help schools work towards Scotland's Learning for Sustainability Action Plan Target 2030, which aims for every place of education for ages 3 to 18 to become a sustainable learning setting by the end of the decade.

The lessons and webinars launch as schools return for the new academic year and coincide with key moments in the school calendar, including Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate Action Month and Maths Week. The webinar programme kicks off in September and covers a range of themes, including sustainable learning settings, literacy and nature stories, numeracy, regulating emotions, the natural circular economy, and making school grounds more climate resilient.

Dr Wilson-McCaw, a teacher at Braes High School in Falkirk, who used the NDMS resource last year and features in a new promotional film, said “It ended up being an incredibly positive experience for the young people, and they were able to take what they learned, do a little bit of interdisciplinary learning, a little bit of science, a lot of values, a lot of empathy building, and figure out what we needed to do here at Braes to be a more sustainable site.”

Sue Munro, NDMS Project Manager at NatureScot said: "The Nature Discovery Map Scotland gives teachers an innovative way to bring Learning for Sustainability, maths, STEM, and digital technologies to life in a real-world context. We know teachers are busy, so we've designed these lessons and webinars to link with what schools are already doing this term.

"Its roll-out across the country will encourage outdoor learning, increase the benefits of being connected to the natural world; and support skill development, helping our young people thrive and nature flourish.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Mairi McAllan said: “Children and young people are instinctively aware of the imperative of tackling climate change. Relating it to their daily experiences through technology and outdoor learning means this will form a real and meaningful part of their daily learning.

“Learning for sustainability, embedded in Scotland’s curriculum and supported by our “Target 2030” action plan, helps pupils to learn about real world issues such as climate change, social justice and rights. Kids and young people want to make a real difference in their school and in the wider community. This plan shows them how to do just that.

“Learning in the great outdoors is integral to this approach, where through education we can lay the groundwork for the next generation of Scots.”

Teachers can find the full lesson programme and register for their webinars via the NDMS Hub or the NatureScot Eventbrite page. Short ‘Getting started’ videos and supporting Help Topic documents are also available on the NDMS Hub to help schools make the most of the resource.

Schools using the resources are encouraged to share their progress by using the NDMS padlet or emailing ndms@nature.scot.