The third mobility of the GAFT-PAD project takes place in Greece, where participating teachers spend five days exploring how mathematics can be taught and experienced in natural environments. The aim of the programme is to provide educators with practical ideas, methods, and inspiration to make mathematics more engaging, playful, and tangible for students.
Learning Mathematics Through Nature – New Approaches
Throughout the mobility, participants are introduced to various mathematical concepts through hands-on outdoor activities and natural materials. The programme covers topics such as:
- counting, measurement, and basic operations using natural objects,
- recognising and constructing geometric shapes found in nature,
- practical understanding of measurement units through field work,
- data collection, graphing, and interpretation based on environmental observations,
- fractions, ratios, and proportions explored with real objects,
- connections between mathematics and art, such as creating patterns with stones, leaves, seeds or other natural elements,
- outdoor mathematical games that combine movement, exploration, and problem-solving.
The focus is on making mathematics visible, experiential, and meaningful for students through direct interaction with the natural world.
Target Group – Who Participates and Who Benefits?
The activity involves teachers from all partner countries.
They:
- learn new teaching methods for delivering mathematics outdoors,
- develop their own creativity, visual thinking, and problem-solving skills,
- gain practical experience with activities they can immediately apply in their schools.
Students also benefit directly, as teachers will bring home:
- more engaging mathematics tasks,
- activities that reduce screen time,
- learning opportunities that combine movement, nature, and exploration,
- teaching methods that improve motivation and concentration.
The knowledge and experiences gained are shared within each school community, ensuring long-term impact.
How Does This Activity Contribute to the Project Objectives?
The mobility supports several key GAFT-PAD project objectives:
• Reducing screen addiction
Outdoor mathematics activities offer an alternative to digital tools and encourage children to play, move, and explore.
• Developing key competences
The programme enhances students’ and teachers’ abilities in:
- mathematical reasoning,
- logical thinking,
- spatial awareness,
- creativity,
- problem-solving.
• Promoting green practices
Teaching mathematics in nature raises awareness about natural resources, sustainability, and environmental protection.
• Fostering creativity
Teachers and students learn to think differently, use natural materials creatively, and find new solutions.
• Supporting innovation in schools
Educators gain innovative teaching tools that strengthen learner engagement and modernise mathematics instruction.
• Strengthening European identity
Teachers from various European countries collaborate, exchange experiences, and build a shared pedagogical vision.
Expected Results
The mobility is expected to:
- equip teachers with new methods, ideas, and ready-to-use activities,
- increase teachers’ creativity and confidence in outdoor mathematics education,
- encourage more innovative, experience-based learning approaches in schools,
- make mathematics more enjoyable, meaningful, and interactive for students,
- reduce screen time by offering real-world learning experiences,
- promote cross-cultural understanding and European cooperation.
Evaluation report here
