Open air schools a context for learning science at the infant stage. The case of the Scuola nel boscoVilla Ghigi

Abstract

This work aims to inform about the potential of forest schools for learning science in the early stages of schooling. We hereby present the results of a study carried out in the Scuola nel Bosco Villa Ghigi in Bologna (Italy) which has been working in this field for years. The results show that this space favors the learning of science. We identified numerous situations where children deployed scientific skills skills to solutions to different problems. They had involved a high diversity of knowledge, mostly of a procedural nature, but also conceptual and attitudinal. However, the need to include more space for reflection to help settle and close the learning process was detected.