2019

Students of Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium Study Statistics in a Felling Area

Since the launch of the new JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (LVM) training programme “School Forest” (Skolas mežs) this autumn students of Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium have been to the forest almost every week to conduct field research and study various subjects in nature. Teachers involved in the programme and LVM experts work together to develop new methodological materials so that other Latvian schools can also benefit from the lessons learned in the future.

The cooperation agreement between Jelgava Spīdola State Gymnasium and LVM stipulates that students closely monitor the economic activities in the “School Forest” area and observe the forest management measures and their impact. According to the school representative Indra Soika, one of the most interesting activities in the forest this autumn were the activities carried out in collaboration with Jānis Zitāns, LVM Zemgale Region Forestry Planning Manager, who invited the students to investigate the felling site. In October, 8th grade students took part in a math lesson in Spīdola forest felling area. The students had the opportunity to prove their knowledge of statistics by performing various tasks related to trees - their length, diameter, age.

The purpose of the classes was to make the topic of statistics more attracting to students by collecting data on-site and completing assignments on worksheets. The students accomplished 3 tasks by working in groups, thus developing group skills and communication and leadership abilities.

The students gladly shared their impressions of this approach to learning. 8th grade student Māra Krūmiņa found it interesting to study mathematics in nature: “I liked the fact that I had to get the numbers and units myself to make the calculations necessary for the task. There was also a need to acquire a new way of calculating, as well as a number of facts about the forest. We managed tasks 1 and 2, but we couldn't finish task 3, so I don't know what the result is. I should have dressed warmer, because I got ill the next day.” Her classmate Patrīcija Uzāne shares her experience with mathematics class in the forest: “I really enjoyed this exciting class - being able to move around and complete tasks in nature. I would have liked this lesson to be less difficult because I did not understand some of the tasks.”

The school’s representative Indra Soika highly values the students' willingness to be active and learn new things in nature: “It is evident that students like to spend classes in the forest, learning something new not only in mathematics, but also about the forest, trees and their peculiarities. This type of lesson is a great way to have both fun and active learning. It is planned to continue such lessons both in mathematics and other subjects.”

Every year, in cooperation with the National Centre for Education, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” offers schools an opportunity to learn from nature. From pre-school children to university students and teachers, everyone has the opportunity to walk along Latvia’s state forest trails and enhance their school-based knowledge with hands-on nature assignments! Each year, more than 20 000 children, students and teachers explore the forest in the diverse LVM school programmes. For more information see www.lvm.lv/skolam.