Ep 178: International Forest School Reasearch Symposium 2024

Support The Forest School Podcast on Patreon for bonus episodes and ad-free episodes at ⁠ www.patreon.com/theforestschoolpodcast⁠ 🌲🎧. Leave this episode a review on your podcast player! Find out about our sessions and Forest School Leader Training in Devon, UK at www.children-of-the-forest.com SummaryThe Forest School Podcast attended the International Forest School Research Symposium at the University of Liverpool. They interviewed researchers and practitioners about their experiences and findings. Topics discussed included the benefits of Forest School for parents' mental health, the use of qualitative research methods, and the importance of research in informing Forest School practice. The symposium provided a platform for sharing research and networking among academics and practitioners in the Forest School community. The conversation in this part of the podcast revolves around the Forest School Symposium in Liverpool. The participants discuss their excitement about the research being presented and the need for evidence to support the benefits of Forest School. They also talk about the role of research in advocating for Forest School and the importance of speaking the language of education. The conversation touches on themes such as neurodivergent young people, access to nature, long-term effects of Forest School, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The Forest School Podcast team reflects on their experience at the Forest School Research Symposium. They discuss the various presentations and topics covered, including the impact of Forest School on parents' mental health, the role of forest school leaders in creating micro communities, the importance of the forest as an entity, and the challenges and successes of implementing forest school in different countries. They also highlight the contributions of the FSA team and volunteers in organizing the symposium. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Symposium Overview 10:48 Opening Address by Dr Sarah Knight 29:31 Interviews with Researchers and Practitioners 44:04 Celebrating and Supporting Research on Forest School 45:04 Advocating for Forest School through Research 51:49 The Impact of Forest School on Neurodivergent Young People 56:24 Improving Access to Nature through Forest School 01:13:10 The Role of Forest School in Occupational Therapy 01:19:24 Supporting Parents' Mental Health through Forest School 01:25:24 Enhancing Mental Bandwidth and Problem-Solving Skills in Forest School 01:28:19 Aligning with Institutional Values in Forest School 01:29:13 Observing Actions and Activities in Forest School 01:30:55 The Impact of Forest School on Parents' Mental Health 01:35:36 The Role of Forest School Leaders in Creating Micro Communities 01:38:01 The Forest as an Entity: Its Importance in Forest School 01:47:14 Challenges and Successes of Implementing Forest School in Different Countries 01:49:59 The Contributions of the FSA Team and Volunteers in Organizing the Symposium