Introduction
Learning with nature is one of the best ways to develop environmental awareness and appreciation for natural beauty. Recently, a group of students from the Royal Blind school, Sight Scotland, had the opportunity to participate in an outdoor learning lesson in a wooded area.
The Environment
The chosen location for the lesson was a woodland with over 2,000 trees, located in the gardens of the Astley Ainslie hospital in Edinburgh. The woodland offers a rich environment of sounds, smells, and textures, making it an ideal location for the students, who are visually impaired, to explore and learn.
Building a Shelter
The students were challenged to build a shelter in the woods, using natural materials found on site. With the help of Margon, their teacher, they explored the area and found a tree with textured bark that resembled veins. Margon explained that the parts they could feel were old ivy vines.
Sensory Learning
The students were able to experience a variety of sensations during the lesson. They felt the warm sun and the smell of the wet ground, which was spongy and soft under their feet. The wind was also present, and they could hear the sound of leaves rustling and feel the breeze on their faces.
Conclusion
The experience of building a shelter in the woods was a highlight of outdoor learning for the students of the Royal Blind school. They were able to develop their sensory skills and learn about nature in an interactive and fun way.
Source / Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/27/young-country-diary-our-outdoor-learning-highlight-making-a-den-in-the-woods