Children and Young People
Education plays an important role in the work of the Archipelago Sea UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We believe that the better people understand the unique nature, culture and communities of our archipelago, the more they will want to care for them.
The Biosphere Academy brings together all of the Biosphere Reserve’s educational activities, inspiring children and young people to explore, learn and take action for a more sustainable future. Through hands-on experiences, collaborative projects and outdoor learning, the Biosphere Academy helps strengthen young people’s connection with our unique archipelago while building knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute to sustainable development. The Biosphere Academy’s activities are made possible through project funding from foundations.
Through the Biosphere Academy, which serves as the educational programme of the Archipelago Sea UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, we aim to promote a culture of sustainability throughout early childhood education, primary and lower secondary education (in Finland called Basic education) and upper secondary education. We seek to empower young people to take action for sustainability in their local communities and to strengthen their participation in the Biosphere Reserve. We work closely with all 22 local schools and all 29 early childhood education providers across the Biosphere Reserve. We develop and provide educational resources that support educators in their daily work.
Our goal is to increase knowledge of our archipelago’s natural and cultural heritage, thereby deepening young people’s connection with nature and their local environment through activities carried out in collaboration with a range of organisations within the framework of UNESCO’s Biosphere Reserve Programme. We also regard children and young people who spend time in or visit our archipelago as an important target group. For example, every year, more than 2,000 visitors take part in activities at our Kids´lab. For visitors travelling in our biosphere reserve by boat we have created the Island Expedition, an adventure route around the Archipelago Sea. On the expedition visitors will learn about the nature and culture of our archipelago, perform fun and educational challenges and collect stamps in a researcher passport.
The Biosphere Reserve has established long-term objectives for the Biosphere Academy, while adapting its activities to emerging needs and opportunities among its key partners and in society more broadly. In the coming years, greater emphasis will be placed on activities aimed at older children and young people.
Objectives
- Strengthen young people’s sense of local identity and pride in their local environment.
- Develop educational programmes and learning activities focusing on nature, the environment, culture and sustainability that reach children and young people who live in, spend time in, or visit the Archipelago Sea Biosphere Reserve.
- Equip children, young people and educators with the knowledge, confidence and capacity to address concerns about climate change and environmental issues, while working together to build a sustainable future.
- Increase interest in the natural sciences, sustainability-related studies, and employment opportunities in the archipelago.
- Make the Biosphere Academy’s educational models available to others, both nationally and internationally.