ATU launches new honours degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education

Emphasis on stewardship and care for the natural world, experiential learning, place-based learning and therapeutic benefits of the outdoors

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has launched a new honours degree in Outdoor and Environmental Education (Common Entry), offering three awards - the BA in Outdoor Education, BA in Geography and Outdoor Education and a BA in Outdoor Education with Therapeutic Applications.  

The BA in Outdoor Education Level 7 programme has been delivered in the Mayo campus for almost 30 years, attracting students from all over Ireland and internationally.  This new programme builds on the vast experience and expertise of the programme’s lecturing team and staff.

These new award offerings reflect developments in the evolving outdoor sector and creates clear career pathways for students.  The changes were brought about following a period of consultation with the sector in Ireland and are also reflective of staff’s long-term relationships with international outdoor programmes in Western Carolina University (WCU) in America, Gavle University in Sweden and the University of South-Eastern Norway with whom we have ongoing exchanges. 

Speaking at the launch, Dr Deirdre Garvey, Head of the ATU Department of Environmental Humanities & Social Sciences, says: “The programme philosophy of stewardship and care for the natural world and the focus on experiential learning, place-based learning and the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors which have been distinctive to the programme, are now of increasing wider significance.”

“The rich natural, and social cultural heritage environment in the west (in which ATU Mayo Campus is located) and northwest with its extensive natural landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers and dramatic coastline makes it particularly well suited to adventure and outdoor education and very attractive to international students”.

Four graduates attending the launch shared their personal and professional experiences: 
Michael Kane, graduate, and Director of Outdoor Education with Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), says: “I can honestly say that the course and staff are exceptional, the best in their field in adventure sport, experiential education, and research. Their combined knowledge is unparalleled and presents the learner with an amazing resource and support framework”.

Georgia MacMillan, who entered the course as a mature student and is the Mayo Dark Sky Development Officer with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), and a University of Galway PhD student, gave an illustrated talk about her adventures abroad with the programme and how she gained transferrable skills that enabled her to follow her vision. She noted the environmental stewardship philosophy of the programme and the importance of experiencing nature first hand concluding with a quotation from Sir David Attenborough “No one will protect what they don't care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”

Gavin Beetlestone spoke amusingly about his journey from dog handler prior to the Outdoor Education course to Department Head of a second-level school in the Czech Republic. He spoke of the importance of his year-long exchange to Western Carolina and the links the course had with Outward Bound Hong Kong that enabled him work there for several years at senior management level.  Now as Education Officer for Leave no Trace Ireland he recalled his interest in journeys and how it became the focus of his dissertation research. Now, more than ever he values the academic and personal journey over the four years of the course at ATU Mayo.

Nick Lenane, Programme Manager and Co-Founder of the Venture Out Wilderness Project, spoke about how the outdoor education programme at ATU Mayo developed his academic confidence to complete two further masters programmes and gave him a foundation of skills and understanding that enabled him work in Ireland and abroad. He noted “The practical application of theory to practice and experiential learning is what sparked in me my true passion for developing and supporting others to reach their true potential”.

All speakers spoke of the importance and value of developing practical, interpersonal and transferable skills during their studies which have been key in facilitating their development both personally and professionally in their careers. 
Other stakeholders at the launch were Foróige, Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Westport Estate and other ETB representatives all reiterated the need for graduates to have transversal skills and recognised that these skills are needed now more than ever.

Further information about the new common entry see BA (Hons) in Outdoor and Environmental Education.

Regina Daly, Atlantic TU Communications 
Tel: +353 (0)91 742826 Mob: +353 (0)879618355
regina.daly@atu.ie  www.atu.ie/news