Learning from Nature – Forest School Training for Educators

How can nature become the classroom?

Between October 10 and 12, 34 dedicated educators gathered at the Hypha_etc camp site to explore the potential of forest school education and experience first-hand how learning can unfold outdoors.

Organised for teachers from the Talentum Reformed School and the Apáczai Csere János Theoretical High School, the training successfully combined theory, practice, and inspiration. Expert-led presentations offered participants a deeper understanding of the forest school concept, its goals, and its relevance in modern education.

The heart of the programme was the hands-on workshops, where teachers engaged in learning activities built on the site’s natural environment. Activities included measuring the flow of a stream, analysing pond water life under a microscope, creating a 3D map of the surrounding valley, and experimenting with natural plant-based dyes—methods that can be readily adapted for classroom and outdoor learning.

Beyond individual activities, the training demonstrated how to design place-based, cross-curricular learning experiences that encourage cooperation, creativity, and active student participation. This approach places learners at the centre of the process, fostering curiosity, exploration, and a meaningful connection with nature.

Organised by Comunitatile Viitorului and supported by the PNRR Granturi pentru scoli pilot programme, the training reinforced a shared belief:forest school education is a powerful tool for building environmental awareness, strengthening our connection to nature, and developing practical, lifelong knowledge.

Invited Experts

The programme was enriched by the contribution of experienced professionals:

Szabó Anna, biology expert and associate lecturer at Babeș-Bolyai University, Faculty of Biology and Geology

Kádár Tibor Sándor, forest engineer

Nádori Gergely and Chrenkó Tímea, teachers at the Alternative Economics High School, Budapest