Outdoor hub will ‘help foster respect for nature’
Outdoor Learning Hub and Discovery Trail at Musselburgh-based Queen Margaret University (QMU) has been opened by Graeme Dey MSP, Higher and Further Education Minister.
The new facility aims to improve understanding of outdoor learning amongst the teaching profession, while also enabling the community to connect to the natural world in new ways.
Located within the grounds of the QMU campus, the hub is made up of outdoor structures, trails, woodland and developing natural spaces. Waymarkers featuring QR codes connect visitors to supporting online resources.
With multimedia content and the opportunity for teaching professionals to gain outdoor learning qualifications, the hub will also develop as a national education facility, the university has said.
The hub has been created with the support of Architecture & Design Scotland and Nature Scot.
Its central feature is The Howff, a “unique” handcrafted wooden shelter with a wildflower roof, skylight dome and windbreak. This can be used as a gathering place or teaching facility for students, staff and the community.
The bespoke shelter was crafted by Tree-ditions, an East Lothian maker, using traditional skills and local timber.
The Discovery Trail is a route round the campus, following waymarkers, that provides an accessible route via woods, terraces, meadow, pond, hedgerows and the university’s Wee Forest.
Each point on the trail marks a different type of environment that gives people opportunities for activity, learning and wellbeing.
Patrick Boxall, lecturer at QMU, has led the development of the university’s outdoor education work.
He said: “It is well evidenced that outdoor learning supports mental health and wellbeing, engagement in learning, creativity, inclusion, and child development.
“Beyond that, it helps foster a great understanding of, and respect for, the natural environment and thus nurtures a commitment to sustainability in the next generation.
“Through the digital resources that we have created to augment our Outdoor Learning Hub, we will support teachers and children across the UK and beyond to understand their relationship with the environment, how we utilise nature’s resources to support health and wellbeing, and protect it for future generations.
“Beyond that, people enjoying time together outside can help build strong communities, and so we want to encourage teachers and community activists to use the hub to meet, socialise, exercise and learn in the outside environment.”
Lesley Riddell Robertson, principal designer at Architecture and Design Scotland, added: “Our work supportTHE ing Scotland’s learning estate focuses on enhancing and extending learning experiences.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with QMU and supported them with the creation of the Outdoor Learning Hub (OLH) and Discovery Trail.
“We believe the OLH, and associated resources, have the potential to improve and enhance the outdoor learning experiences and environments of young people across Scotland.”
Sir Paul Grice, principal of QMU, said: “When we introduced primary teaching and a PGDE (Professional Graduate Diploma in Education) to our course portfolio at QMU in 2019, we resolved to take a fresh approach to teaching education.
“One aspect of this has been a focus on outdoor learning and we have gone on to become a leading advocate for the inclusion of outdoor learning, and learning for sustainability, within education courses.
“The Outdoor Learning Hub is a physical manifestation of our commitment to outdoor learning.”
The Outdoor Learning Hub and Discovery Trail also includes Maggie’s Wood, a tiny wood available for activities, learning and teaching; the Wee Forest, surrounding The Howff; and online materials, including information films, resources and links.
Anyone interested in getting involved in QMU’s outdoor learning work should contact Mr Boxall at pbox all@qmu.ac.uk