11

Forests toolkit #7 – Providing a multitude of forest ecosystem services for society – a balancing act

This activity aims to sensitise students to the multitude of ecosystem services that forests provide to society as well as the challenges of meeting the needs of many different interest groups. The activity uses outdoor learning sites known as “marteloscopes”. Marteloscopes are delineated forest areas where data has been recorded for all standing trees. The data is made available to students via an innovative, easy-to-use, educational software (“I+ Trainer” software) running on mobile devices (tablets/mobile phones).

Given guidance, pupils can experience not only forests hands-on and observe trees closely. They can also gain an understanding of how and why forests are managed, why biodiversity in forest ecosystems is important, and how to come to solutions if forests should meet multiple demands such as providing wood for valuable wood products, be a place for recreation, and serve as a home for plants and animals.

Biodiversity #3 – People and nature

We are very pleased to present PEOPLE AND NATURE, a booklet created by the team of the Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana, in the framework of the Multipliers project (Horizon 2020). As educators, we know that learning goes far beyond the walls of the classroom. It thrives in the fresh air, outdoors and surrounded by the wonders of nature. The aim of this activity is to present biodiversity and ecosystem services as an important socio scientific issue (SSI) both relevant in their everyday life but also, for science. This activity is facilitated by providing students different activities and tools to explore biodiversity in forest, water and wind erosion, sounds, landscape changes etc.

Forests toolkit #5 – Design of sustainable products from forests

This teaching and learning sequence are suitable for students ages 10 -14, concern education for sustainability and integrate several school subjects, e.g., science, technology, entrepreneurship and social science. The open schooling project is performed in collaborations with a science center (Exploratoriet), a cooperative of forest industries (Mera Skog), and Sweden’s research institute and innovation partner (RISE) to involve students in sustainable forest product design. The teaching learning activity contribute to teaching for sustainable development by focussing on creativity processes, as living today requires new strategies to handle the future. The project was named “Skogssnilleblixten”, which roughly translates as a combination of the terms forest and stroke of genius.

Forests toolkit #4 – Different perspectives on forest use

This teaching-learning sequence consists of two activities that can be used as an introduction for students’ work with the theme Forest us vs. Forest protection. It particularly familiarizes students with some different perspectives on and relationships with the forest. The two activities are especially suitable for use in topics such as Forest use vs. Forest protection, where several subjects (e.g. science, cívics, Language, technology) can be combined.

Biodiversity #1 – Natural Science Backpack

The materials presented here are designed primarily for primary school students between the ages of 6 and 14. They were created through collaboration with researchers from various fields, including early childhood education and forest pedagogy, as well as teachers and students themselves. The activity utilizes an inquiry-based approach and a formative evaluation process to optimize the materials, which serve as a self-learning kit.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services toolkit

Created in collaboration with researchers from various fields, including early childhood education and forest pedagogy, this toolkit enables students to learn about the diversity of ecosystems, the ecosystem services they provide, and appreciate their value for the wellbeing of societies.

Forest use vs. Forest protection toolkit

Forests are one of our most important natural resources, and part of the solution to the global and local socio-environmental challenges we face. People and stakeholders have different interests in forests, underpinned by environmental, economic, cultural and social values. Often, these interests and values conflict with one another. How to manage forests is a complex and highly topical issue.

This toolkit uses real-life examples on the subject of forests to increase students’ commitment and willingness/ability to discuss complex topics and trade-offs, to make decisions based on economic, ecological, cultural, and social perspectives, to find compromises, and to develop different pathways for action.

Air pollution #1 – What is Air Pollution? (upper primary students)

The aim of this activity is to present air pollution as an important socio scientific issue (SSI) both relevant in their everyday life but also, for science. This activity is facilitated by providing students with different tools including authentic news from local newspapers, and in-person or video presentations of different stakeholders such as researchers on air pollution or local policymakers.