Outdoor education

Spending time outside supports student wellbeing and physical health. New research has examined teachers’ experiences of enabling outdoor play during the school day with the aim to understand how their autonomy, competence, and relatedness interact to shape decision making. We speak to researcher Dr Brendon Hyndman to find out more.

How well is the outdoor space in your school serving students and staff? In this episode of The Research Files, Dominique Beech speaks with Dr Gweneth Leigh and Hannah Richardson from the University of Canberra about their 2-year study into outdoor spaces in secondary school settings, which resulted in plenty of practical tools for educators.

St Theresa’s Primary School Albion in Melbourne’s west is strengthening science learning through a knowledge-rich curriculum focused on Australia’s Great Southern Reef. In today’s article Literacy Leader Jackie O'Connor-Croydon shares more about the P-6 program that integrates field experiences, expert-led learning and sequenced content, to deepen students’ scientific understanding. 

The 2026 recipient of the Global Teacher Prize has been announced – Rouble Nagi from India took out the top prize. One Australian teacher was a top 10 finalist this year – Colleen O’Rourke from the Hills Cristian Community School in Adelaide, South Australia. Teacher caught up with her shortly after she was named a finalist to find out about the work she’s been recognised for. 

The new ‘water classroom’ at All Saints’ College in Western Australia is designed to bring curriculum, culture and wellbeing together in one place. In today’s photo story, we learn more about the physical space, how it encourages students to engage with their natural environment, and the impact on their mental health and wellbeing. 

New research from academics at the University of the Sunshine Coast shows that maths and science educators can use visual cues in nature like animal trails and patterns to explore both simple and complex mathematical concepts with students. 

Emu Gully Adventure Education offers a unique and transformative approach to education that takes students out of the classroom and into the great outdoors, using adventure and challenge as powerful tools for growth and development. Whether you’re a teacher seeking a one-day experience or a multi-day adventure camp, Emu Gully offers options that can be customised to fit the specific goals and objectives of your class.

Excursions, camps and incursions are a great way for teachers to tap into external expertise and learning experiences to support needs and complement what you’re doing in the classroom. Just like your regular lesson activities, you’ll need to plan well to get the most out of them.

Looking for a school camp to provide your students with learning breakthroughs and memories they’ll cherish for years to come? There are lots of things to consider when deciding on a school camp, so to help make it a little easier, here are some things you need to know to make an informed decision.

In this edition of Researching education: 5 further readings, we’re sharing 5 pieces of content on the topic of outdoor and environmental education. In the below resources, you can read about the experience of one Australian school introducing a hybrid model for year 7 camp, access an open-access book offering practical advice for teaching outdoor education, and more.