Scottish National Parks' Outdoor Learning Media Project

The Joint National Parks' Media Project involved ten secondary schools working in partnership with a media unit to each produce a 10 minute film looking at 'Outdoor Learning through the National Parks'.

Pupils received training in scriptwriting, filming, sound recording, producing, directing, presenting and editing, and chose how they wished to represent 'Outdoor Learning through the National Parks' in their film. Ten very diverse approaches and entertaining films were the result, and this session takes a look at the processes involved in the partnership approach, which included collaboration using Glow, and the journey of taking on a new and innovative project which challenges and engages the pupils.

The project has run three times previously in the Cairngorms, and has now evolved and progressed to include a greater number of schools and pupils spread across Scotland's National Parks. The diverse outcomes this year include a journey through the Cairngorms both temporally and spatially, driven by a sat-nav entity; a dramatisation of past and present living on the island of Inchcailloch, part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve; documentation of an interdisciplinary transition project and of pupils' experiences on a residential visit, and many other innovative and creative films.

Alison Hammerton, Development Officer, Education Scotland / National Parks

From a background of teaching secondary Geography, Alison took up the position of Development Officer for Outdoor Learning in the National Parks in January 2010. A keen mountain biker, hiker and rugby player, she draws experiences from teaching in a range of schools in Scotland, the UK and New Zealand.

Additional speaker: Elspeth Grant, Alison Cush