Ketteler School opens project week: Children experience nature up close!

Ketteler School opens project week: Children experience nature up close!

On September 26, 2025, the start of an exciting project week took place at the Ketteler School in Lohne-Hopen, during which first to fourth grade students had the opportunity to explore the school-university forest. The aim of the initiative, which is being implemented in collaboration with various educational partners, is to make it easier for children to have access to nature and to promote their awareness of ecological connections as well as of responsibility and sustainability. Over 100 students actively participated in this course, which is supported by various partners such as the Albert-Schweizer-Realschule, the Gertrudenschule and the University of Vechta.

As part of this project week, the trafo:agrar team, consisting of Dr. Barbara Grabkowsky, Beata Punte and Lena Möllers, the event to give the children additional knowledge and to accompany the activities. Headmaster Christine Richter explained the week's schedule and highlighted the innovative approach in which the students explore the forest in small groups. Under the expert guidance of Thomas Lamping and the staff of the Weser-Ems Forest Education Center, the children not only learn to identify different plant species, but also to discover living creatures in the forest.

Experienceful stations and personal development

An interactive path with various stations allows children to experience the flora and fauna up close. This form of direct experience of nature also promotes children's personal development, especially for those who do not have their own garden. Through practical engagement with nature, mindfulness, responsibility and willingness to help are the focus of the learning activities.

The integration of the project into everyday school life is also planned: all children should take part in a visit to the forest at least once a year in order to continuously come into contact with nature. These principles are in line with Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which encourages students to think about their impact on the environment.

A step towards sustainable education

In the broader context of forest education, the revision of the forest education guidelines is an important step towards the practical implementation of ESD. The demands on educational actors in forest education are increasing, although the aspects of economy, ecology and social responsibility must not be neglected. Cooperations with partners such as schools are essential to increase the quality of educational offerings and reduce the burden on forest educators.

It is also recommended that participants bring materials from their everyday lives, such as wooden objects, to create a connection to the everyday world. In the forest, children not only learn about the origins of wood as a raw material, but also the different professions that work in this area. Comprehensive public relations work and target group-specific offers are necessary to increase the awareness and effectiveness of ESD.

Forest Week and various awards, such as the UNESCO ESD Decade Project, help to raise awareness of education for sustainable development and to integrate its content into school education. This lays the foundation for a future-oriented and responsible generation that actively contributes to protecting our environment.

Further information about the goals and content of the project week can be found at University of Vechta, while providing detailed approaches to implementation and the challenges in forest education Forest knowledge and Political education Bavaria be explained further.