Inspiring and Engaging Natural History Tuition: In-person

This course will cover all that you need to know in order to deliver an effective and engaging in-person natural history session.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Have further developed skills to inspire, engage, and train others in your area of expertise.
•  Have networked with other experts, connecting and learning from each another.
• Have gained new ideas to enhance your teaching, and shared effective approaches with others.

Who should attend? – anybody who wishes to further develop their in-person training skills to inspire and engage others with the natural world is welcome to register. However, if you are attending with the intention of becoming a Field Studies Council tutor, please note that we ask that you can demonstrate the following:

• Expertise in your chosen area of biodiversity/natural history/ecology.
• Experience in training of adults to achieve learning outcomes for their personal interest or professional development.
• Experience of managing groups safely in an outdoor environment (if interested in delivering courses in person).

Prior knowledge – we require anyone who becomes a Field Studies Council course tutor to complete our foundation course. This is a two hour self-led course covering the basics of tutoring with the organisation. We highly recommend that you complete this course prior to attendance on the bookable courses. This course can be accessed from 21st August.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no accommodation, refreshments, or meal facilities included in the course price. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Morag Boyd

Morag Boyd is a countryside professional with 30 years’ experience working in a range of countryside and conservation professions. In a varied career, she has worked in a number of roles including countryside ranger in various locations, lecturer in countryside management for Elmwood College in Fife and conservation shepherd for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. She now combines a contract with Scottish Badgers, recruiting and training volunteers for the national Get Sett Scottish Badger Survey with freelance work training teachers to take learning outdoors for Learning Through Landscapes. Morag also runs her own outdoor nature education business, working with schools and community groups to get children outdoors and learning about nature.

Morag has a broad knowledge of many different aspects of ecology and conservation, with particular interests in badgers, of course, trees and woodland management and botany.

Example Timetable

This timetable is subject to change but should give a clear outline of what to expect.

10:00-10:30 - Welcome and knowledge share
10:30-11:30 - Covering some basic teaching theory and evaluating examples of teaching resources
11:30-12:30 - Participants plan a mini-teach for the rest of the group
12:30-13:30 - Lunch (provided)
13:30-14:00 - Health and safety - risk assessment
14:00- 15:30 - Teaching sessions, with participants evaluating each other
15:30-16:00 - Introducing the Field Studies Council competency evaluation process
16:00-16:45 - Scenario cards for group management outdoors
16:45-17:00 - Session feedback and questions.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Lunch

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the subject
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Lunch

You can rest assured that quality content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Trees for Climate Action

Field Studies Council is able to offer places on this training course thanks to the wonderful support of the Trees for Climate Action project led by Trees for Cities. This project is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The project will deliver inter-generational, tree-related activities for young people to build their knowledge and learn new skills from environmental professionals and experienced volunteers, mobilising young people to take positive action against climate change.

To learn more about the project, please click here.

What to bring

• Pen/pencil
• Notebook
• Appropriate clothes and footwear for spending time outside
• Small bag to carry personal items

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.