On Friday, October 25, seventeen enthusiastic teachers from across Quebec gathered with the LEARN-RÉCIT team at the Bois de l’Équerre in Laval for an immersive, hands-on professional development day focused on Outdoor Education. Part of our Open Creative Space series, this event blended exploration, creativity, and learning in the inspiring setting of the outdoors.
The day began with a heartfelt land acknowledgment, inviting everyone to reflect on our connection with the land we would be exploring. We considered the human-land relationship across time—past, present, and future—a powerful way to set the tone for a day centered on learning from and with the natural environment. 
The first activity was an exciting scavenger hunt using the BBC Micro:Bit’s radio function, where teachers put themselves in student mode as they worked together to locate hidden Micro:Bits across the area. Each hidden device led to a set of engaging activities designed for different educational levels: preschool, elementary, and high school. Covering various subjects like math, science, literacy, social sciences, and art, these activities invited teachers to learn through play and exploration.
Teachers found themselves measuring tree circumferences to calculate diameters, identifying plants and birds with mobile field apps, creating photo journals, reflecting on the purpose of public spaces, and crafting self-portraits with leaves and rocks. Experiencing these activities through the eyes of students, gave teachers a fresh perspective on outdoor learning’s potential to engage, inspire, and deepen understanding.
After the scavenger hunt, we gathered for a debrief. Teachers shared their thoughts on the benefits of outdoor education—how it felt different from indoor professional development sessions. One teacher observed that she felt more focused and present, free from typical classroom distractions. Another noted the positive impact on her mental health, finding the natural surroundings both refreshing and calming. Participants also appreciated the open-ended nature of the activities, which allowed everyone to engage in their own way and at their own pace. If we, as educators, find so much value in outdoor learning, how much more could our students gain?
In the afternoon, we moved indoors to explore a range of other outdoor-friendly activities, like shadow play, rocket construction, and wind tunnel experiments. Teachers shifted into teacher mode, brainstorming ways to adapt these activities for their classrooms and outdoor spaces. Ideas flourished: using unplugged coding to reenact scenes from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, identifying different types of angles in nature, and creating textured rubbings of natural materials to inspire artwork.
The day was a vibrant success, sparking creativity and leaving teachers with fresh ideas and the inspiration to bring outdoor learning into their own classrooms. Each teacher left with a deeper appreciation for the unique learning opportunities that await just outside the classroom door.
Curious to experience the inspiration for yourself? Join us at an upcoming Open Creative Space Day to explore various technologies, tools, activities, and ideas. Leave the day with concrete ways and ideas for integrating them into your class. Registration is free for teachers in Quebec’s English-speaking community. You will simply need to get your substitution costs covered by talking to your administration and/or applying for PIC funds from your school board. Here’s a look at what’s coming up:
November 29, 2024: Connecting Curriculum to Sustainable Development Goals
January 17, 2025: Free Play in Preschool
January 31, 2025: Arts for All
March 21, 2025: Creating Audio-Visual Content
April 11, 2025: Innovative Storytelling Techniques
May 2, 2025: Artificial Intelligence
For more information on the professional development we offer and to sign up, visit the Digital Competency in Action website EVENTS page.
