OUT OF THE BOX – Sustainability education in Finland

This course is about sustainability education and a showcase on various methods and focus areas on green competencies and a sustainable society. 

• Interested in transforming your teaching or team practices into something that is more sustaining both for you, your target audience – and the planet?
• Dreaming of taking your teaching or team activities to new environments, perhaps outdoors, into diverse real life learning environments? 
• Needing pedagogical tools and hands-on activities? 
• Hoping to get more motivation and courage in taking on sustainability issues both in your teaching and with your colleagues/ other adults? 

Please join us in Helsinki! 

For whom?
The course is for teachers working in lower and upper secondary education, vocational schools, or adult education, as well as other professionals in different fields interested in course topics or content. The methods introduced during the course can be applied to many different age and target groups.  

When?
The five-day course begins on Monday January 27 and ends on Friday January 31, 2025.   

Where?
In Helsinki, Finland, and nearby environments.  

By whom?
SYKLI Environmental College is a national specialist vocational college. We train professionals in different sectors to take concrete steps towards sustainability. Our aim is to build green competencies and increase the quality of sustainability education at all levels of the education system and throughout society. In Finland, SYKLI is known as a pioneer in environmental and sustainability education. SYKLI is the only institution in Finland offering a one-year-long study program in Environmental Education for teachers and other education professionals, as well as programs in Circular Economy, Water Management, Carbon Neutrality and Sustainable Development. Our aim is to enhance green competencies and increase quality in environmental education in all levels of the education system and throughout the society!  

Course program: 

DAY 1:   

• Welcome to Sykli environmental College! 

• Getting to know our staff & team at SYKLI Environmental College:  
  Adult Vocational training – a Speedway to Green Transition?  

• Let´s get learning!  
  Dimensions of human-nature connectedness 
  How to get students climate-ready? 
  
  

DAY 2: Excursion to Seurasaari Park and open-air museum 

Promoting well-being and sustainability competencies in Finnish Nature  
Adding new tools to your sustainability toolbox  

• GREEN CAMP - Introducing the Green Competencies defined in the European sustainability competence framework GreenComp. 

• Outdoor reflections ideas for professional growth / outdoor teaching ideas 
   

DAY 3: Adding more tools to your pedagogical sustainability toolbox  

• Circular economy in practice: CIRCULA ®- The Circular Economy and entrepreneurship game 

• Excursion to Perho Green City Farm -circular and regenerative learning environment 

DAY 4: Get to know our schools! (For educators) 

• Possibility to visit a local Early education center /compulsory school    
   

OR 

• Excursion day to chosen location specified by the interests of the group.  
  (Circular economy hub KERA, Science Center Heureka, Nuuksio National park)        

DAY 5: Learn where tomorrow is. Act where You want tomorrow to be. 

• Futures Frequency workshop 

• Promoting sustainability at work: How to motivate and engage colleagues: Tools for reflection and evaluation.  

• Course feedback 

Learning objectives 
 

This course is about sustainability and a showcase on various methods and focus areas on green competencies and a sustainable society. The course is for anyone interested in a deep dive to the affects humans and our society may have on the planet and our wellbeing. Whether you are a teacher, a stake holder in the educations network, or merely inspired in rethinking operating culture models in your organization, this course provides necessary tools for rethinking sustainability and our handprint.  The methods introduced during the course can be applied to many different age and target groups as well as different contexts.

Why choose the ‘OUT OF THE BOX – Sustainability education in Finland’ course? 

• Challenge and explore your personal relationship to nature 

• Improve your understanding of key sustainability competences as per the European sustainability competence framework GreenComp. 

• Try out various inspiring methods you can directly apply in your own work or personal life. 

• Gain practical tools for better comprehension of sustainability. 

• Learn how to use authentic learning environments in your teaching. 

• Exchange with and learn from others from all over Europe. 

Course fee: As stated in the official documents of the Erasmus+ Programme, the course fee is 440 € (80 € per participant per day /400 € per person for a 5-day course + 40 € organizational costs. The course fee covers costs directly linked to the implementation of mobility activities, including monitoring and support of participants during the mobility and evaluation of learning outcomes. Any other cost will be covered by the applicant organization by using the grant received from the respective National Agency for individual and organizational support. The course fee must be paid by bank transfer before the course starts. The event will be confirmed one month prior to the beginning.  

More information:

Katariina Mustonen, SYKLI Environmental College
Phone: +358 44 770 3555
e-mail: katariina.mustonen@sykli.fi