Schoolchildren in Ostrava can Explore Nature in a Unique Outdoor Classroom
The Archimedes Outdoor Classroom was established this year at the Primary School in Ostrava-Radvanice, making it the first of its kind in the Moravian-Silesian Region. This facility offers a unique environment for ecological education and other activities, equipped with modern technologies, including educational 3D software.
Outdoor clasroom Archimedes. Photo: Jiří Zerzoň
Surrounding the classroom are raised beds for plant cultivation, a vermicomposter with Californian earthworms, as well as a birdhouse with a camera, a weather station, and a rainwater reservoir. Another advantage of this classroom will be live sessions with experts from various parts of the world and all fields of human activity. These professionals will bring new perspectives to education and enrich the learning process with practical experiences.
"Children in Radvanice will be able to discover nature in this unique classroom through interactive teaching methods. Using various technologies they can interact with instructors from different parts of the world and learn in unconventional ways. We strive to foster a relationship between children and nature from an early age, and this method, which could be described as 'learning through play', may motivate students to further explore the natural world," stated Aleš Boháč, the Mayor of the Ostrava-Radvanice district and Deputy Mayor for the Environment. He added, "I am very pleased that the first Archimedes Outdoor Classroom in the Moravian-Silesian Region is located in our school. We are paying significant attention to the concept of environmental education, awareness, and upbringing of children throughout the city of Ostrava, with specific educational centers found in municipal companies such as Ostrava City Forests, OZO Ostrava, and the Ostrava Zoo."
The Archimedes Classroom involved costs of 3.9 million CZK, with the city contributing 2.3 million. "Construction of the outdoor classroom began in the spring of this year and was completed in August. We have planted strawberries and herbs in pots, established a compost, and children will be able to engage in cultivation during the next growing season. Students will certainly appreciate the opportunity to communicate through technology with other students in Archimedes classrooms," added Petr Káňa, the headmaster of the school.
The Archimedes project enjoys significant support. The global initiative of outdoor classrooms has received patronage from Eva Pavlová, the wife of the President of the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the project is supported by CzechTrade, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, highlighting its significance and potential in both national and international contexts. For more information about the project, visit https://www.archimedesoec.com/.