Outdoor Learning Conference 2026

Mapping is a powerful way for students to slow down, observe closely and make sense of the places where they learn and play. This workshop introduces educators to mapping as a practical tool for outdoor learning that supports inquiry, strengthens spatial awareness and helps children build deeper connections with their environment. Participants explore how mapping can be used as a form of nature journaling, a method for documenting play, and a process for uncovering patterns and stories in the landscape. Through hands-on experiences, educators work with different perspectives, from ground-level to aerial views, and learn simple techniques that support students in representing space, movement and change.
 The session includes opportunities to create collaborative maps and 3D models of outdoor learning spaces, offering practical ways to link mapping with science, geography, literacy, mathematics and the arts. A meaningful tool for reflection, assessment and place-based learning.