Moving the Classroom Outdoor – Learning Beyond the Classroom in Sicily
Hosted by SENES Cooperativa Sociale in collaboration with FormalaV, this inspiring week brought together teachers from Italy, Romania, Greece, Lithuania, and North Macedonia, creating another valuable opportunity to strengthen our partnership, exchange innovative educational practices, and explore how outdoor environments can become meaningful learning spaces.
Throughout the week, every activity demonstrated that meaningful learning can happen anywhere. We exchanged successful practices from our schools, discussed common challenges faced by teachers, and collaboratively designed ideas for future outdoor educational activities that can be adapted to different age groups and educational contexts.
One of the highlights of the programme was our visit to the Renato Guttuso Museum – Villa Cattolica in Bagheria. Rather than simply visiting the museum, we participated in an engaging Treasure Hunt, working in international teams to solve challenges inspired by Renato Guttuso's artwork and Sicily's cultural heritage. The activity encouraged observation, communication, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving while demonstrating how museums can become dynamic educational environments.
Our journey continued to the picturesque fishing villages of Porticello and Sant'Elia, where we explored the close relationship between local communities, the sea, and traditional Sicilian culture. Walking through these authentic coastal villages allowed us to reflect on how natural landscapes and local heritage can enrich outdoor learning experiences while fostering environmental awareness and cultural appreciation.
Another inspiring experience was our visit to Morgan School in Bagheria. We observed innovative English language lessons based on conversation, language games, role-playing activities, collaborative learning, and active student participation. The visit encouraged us to reflect on learner-centred methodologies and provided practical ideas that can easily be transferred to our own classrooms.
Outdoor education was also closely connected with heritage education. During our visit to the Museo Regionale di Terrasini – Palazzo D'Aumale, we explored exhibitions dedicated to Sicily's natural and historical heritage while creating short educational videos presenting the museum's collections. We discussed how museums, historical sites, and local communities can become authentic learning spaces where students develop observation, research, digital storytelling, and communication skills.
An equally meaningful part of the programme focused on well-being. On the beach in Terrasini, we participated in mindfulness activities designed to demonstrate the importance of emotional balance, reflection, and mental health within the educational process. Experiencing these activities outdoors reminded us that learning is most effective when students feel safe, relaxed, connected with nature, and emotionally engaged.
We were honoured to be welcomed by the Municipality of Terrasini, where Deputy Mayor Fabio Viviano introduced us to the city's commitment to European cooperation and community involvement in Erasmus+ projects. During the same day, we took part in an interactive role-play session entitled "How Can We Convince Parents and School Leaders to Implement Outdoor Learning Activities?" Working in international groups, we analysed common concerns, exchanged perspectives, and developed practical arguments and strategies for promoting outdoor education within our school communities.
Innovation in education remained another important theme throughout the mobility. During our study visit to IISS "Alessandro Volta" in Palermo, we explored modern laboratories dedicated to robotics, automation, electronics, 3D printing, and STEM education. The visit demonstrated how technology and outdoor learning can complement one another in preparing students for the future through inquiry, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Our final educational activity transformed the historic centre of Palermo into an open-air classroom. Together we explored some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including Palermo Cathedral, Quattro Canti, Piazza Pretoria, Palazzo delle Aquile, Teatro Massimo, and many other historical monuments. Through guided observation, discussion, and collaborative reflection, we explored how architecture, history, art, religion, and local traditions can be integrated into interdisciplinary learning activities that inspire students to discover Europe beyond textbooks.
Alongside the educational programme, the project partners held the Third Transnational Project Meeting (TPM3). During the management sessions, we reviewed the progress achieved since the previous mobility, evaluated completed activities, analysed dissemination results, and planned the next stages of project implementation. Together we discussed future educational resources, communication activities, evaluation tools, and the upcoming mobility that will take place in Lithuania.
The week concluded with a warm certificate award ceremony organised by our host, Claudia Ribaudo, representing SENES Cooperativa Sociale. The ceremony celebrated not only the successful completion of the training course but also the friendships, trust, and strong European cooperation that continue to grow through our project.
We sincerely thank SENES Cooperativa Sociale, FormalaV, Claudia Ribaudo, Eva Deak, all partner organisations, and every participant for their professionalism, enthusiasm, hospitality, and commitment. Sicily offered much more than a training course—it became a place where ideas were shared, friendships were strengthened, cultures met, and new inspiration for education was born.
As we return to our schools, we bring with us new teaching methods, practical outdoor learning activities, stronger international partnerships, and renewed motivation to create engaging educational experiences for our students.
We are already looking forward to our next meeting in Lithuania, where the journey of learning, cooperation, and European friendship will continue.
🌍 Discover more about our project!
For more information about Learn Outside, Smile and Shine, our activities, mobilities, resources, and project results, visit our official project website:
Erasmus KA210 L.O.S.S. - T.P.M. Italy - Palermo
📰 Our Project in the Online Media
The activities and achievements of the Learn Outside, Smile and Shine Erasmus+ project have also been promoted through articles published in the online media, contributing to the disse
mination of the project and increasing its visibility within the local and wider educational community.
🔗 Read the articles published in the online media:
Το 45ο Δημοτικό Σχολείο Ηρακλείου σε ευρωπαϊκή συνάντηση Erasmus+ στη Σικελία | Neakriti
Στο Παλέρμο εκπαιδευτικοί του 45ου Δημοτικού Σχολείου Ηρακλείου | Cretalive ειδήσεις
Together we move the classroom outdoors. Together we learn, inspire, and grow.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Project: Learn Outside, Smile and Shine
Erasmus+ KA210-SCH – Small-scale Partnerships in School Education
Project No.: 2025-1-RO01-KA210-SCH-000354299
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