New digital support for learning outdoors

Teachers and pupils across Scotland are being invited to join a national journey of nature discovery, as an exciting new digital support for learning outdoors is announced.

The Nature Discovery Map Scotland has been developed by NatureScot on behalf of Scottish Government and in collaboration with Scottish teachers and pupils. Young people will have access to fun and easy mobile apps to capture data on all kinds of habitats and sustainability features, including hedgerows, trees, long grass, bird boxes, solar panels and compost bins. This information can then be displayed on interactive dashboards and compared to other schools, stimulating classroom conversations and planned activities.

This Nature Discovery Map Scotland helps pupils explore biodiversity in and around education settings, and consider how positive changes can be made for nature in their school grounds. The suite of six map-based tools for schools aims to help build the skills of future leaders and innovators, as well as helping young people be a part of improving their local areas. It is hoped that the innovation will contribute towards reducing eco-anxiety and increasing young people’s connection with nature.

Young people will be able to develop digital and STEM skills through the geospatial mapping within the toolkit, and the need to be outdoors to fully explore their educational greenspace aims will help develop new skills and confidence, enrich their physical and mental wellbeing, and improve the life chances of those who are socially excluded.

NatureScot Greenspaces Officer, Sue Munro said:

“Scotland’s children have the opportunity to be part of the mission to stop biodiversity loss and tackle the nature crisis. Through the Nature Discovery Map Scotland, they will be able to better understand how school grounds can help create thriving nature networks across Scotland and gain the knowledge, passion and skills to create a future that is more sustainable and nature rich.”

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth said:

“Outdoor learning is an important part of Scotland’s curriculum and can play a valuable role in young people’s wellbeing and attainment, which is why we have supported NatureScot to develop and deliver the Nature Discovery Map Scotland. This will provide an innovative way for children and young people to respect and connect with biodiversity and their local environment.

“I have no doubt that this resource will be of significant benefit to pupils by allowing them to engage positively in their outdoor learning experiences.”

The development of the toolkit has been supported by the Scottish Government. It is one of the actions in the Learning for Sustainability Action Plan proposed on curriculum, culture, community and campus that can help transform your school into a Sustainable Learning Setting by 2030. 

The idea for the toolkit originally arose from the UK Nature Park commitment made at COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, to develop a resource for students to record, learn about, and help enhance the contribution of school grounds to biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

Working with a number of primary, secondary and ASN teachers and pupils, NatureScot ran a pilot project to develop the Nature Park concept in Scotland, in autumn 2022 to spring 2023. Drawing on the pilot work, the finalised toolkit has now been developed for roll-out as a national resource for all schools.  

The Nature Discovery Map Scotland will gradually be rolled out across Scotland over the coming months. Have a look at the Nature Discovery Map Scotland Hub to find out more and start exploring the tools.

Pic: Scottish Natural Heritage