Green Gown Awards 2014 - Courses and Learning - University of Edinburgh - Finalist

Geoscience Outreach: A sustainable course for sustainable learning and enterprise

Final year honours Geoscience students are ‘para-professionals’ in their subjects. In the optional 200 hour Geoscience Outreach Course they develop expertise in science engagement, learning and teaching, enterprise, communication, project and time management through working in partnership with external clients in schools, museums, visitor and science centres and community organisations to develop and deliver
a project to an agreed brief.

Students design, develop and deliver resources and materials for science and community engagement. Interdisciplinary learning and working is promoted through development of partnerships within education, across the University, and with diverse external clients, client organisations and communities.

The resources developed raise awareness of the sustainability of global resources and environments. Enterprise has also been promoted, through the development of a student-led, financially sustainable non-profit co-operative, which acts as a hub for swap and re-use of materials on campus and in the local community. The course has been recognised by Scottish universities and Government as an example of good practice.

Top 3 learnings

1 Projects increasingly support areas of educational disadvantage by increasing awareness and acting as young role models
2 The course model is being disseminated and adapted
3 Students increasingly wanting opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in a practical setting.