PROJECT THEME: Experiential and outdoor learning GOAL OF THE PROJECT: The main goal of the project is professional training of teachers in the field of implementation of new ways of teaching and increasing teacher's individual professional and multicultural competencies. Our school's mission is to provide a quality teaching process with the goal of training students for efficient inclusion in the world of work and future education. Realization of this goal mainly depends on the quality of professional development and implementation of methods in the learning and teaching process. In the strategic development of the school, its curriculum and as a part of the School Development Plan there are two, for the school very important fields: learning and teaching (the usage of modern methods of learning and teaching in educational process) and professional development of teachers. Education in the field of experiential learning and outdoor teaching fits in our development plan of work on the improving teaching quality in the school. The school has already been using the process of experiential learning and outdoor teaching in school projects (such as Eco day, In our way, GLOBE), field class, visiting museums, theaters, literary nights etc.). Plan of activity: We plan to include 11 teachers of different profiles (Maths - 1, Croatian Language - 2, English Language - 2, Geography - 1, Computer Science - 1, vocational subjects -1, arts - 1, pedagogue -2) in the following individual mobilities: 1. Taking Learning Outdoors (Sweden), 2. Experiential Approach to Learning (Scotland), 3. Outdoor Leadership (Portugal), 4. Teaching Math, Science and Art Outdoors (Sweden). All these courses last 5 days, and their focus is on training the teachers for the implementation processes of experiential learning and outdoor teaching. We are planning to use eTwinning for the purpose of finding partner institutions for other kinds of professional betterment and exchanging experiences with our colleagues from other countries. We are as well planning to use Europass Mobility Document for the purpose of monitoring and professional development of our teachers, and Europass Language Passport for recording acquired language competencies. The activities that will precede the mobilities will be: transport organization, signing the contracts of agreement, introducing the teachers to the culture and school systems of the countries where the courses will be held. Outcomes: Learning from our own experience and exchanging our own experiences with others in the same profession, teachers will improve their own personal and professional competencies, which will contribute to the improvement of the quality of education processes provided by the school. Learning that is based on experience can contribute to enabling students in connecting with real people and real problems in their environments, which can improve personal and professional skills between young people. Combining theoretical with experiential learning will make it easier for students to make the transition from high school to independent life. The teachers will, upon completing the planned individual mobilities, be richer for the acquired theoretical knowledge and concepts, methods and tools related to the model of experiential learning and outdoor approach to teaching. The teachers will develop their personal and social skills through the activities of experiential learning and outdoor learning. They will acquire different ways of motivating students to promote healthy ways of living. The teachers will develop the ability for giving feedback and acquire experiences in leadership activities, risk assessment and avoidance of critical situations. Implementation and dissemination: When they come back, the teachers will apply their new knowledge in their work with students and in the projects which they will carry out at school. The performed activities will be presented to the students and teachers at students’ and teachers’ councils and will be published on on the school’s Facebook page. The participation in the seminars and realization of new teaching and learning methods will be presented in the local media and via Internet (radio stations, TV stations, newspapers, Youtube, portals, blogs, …). The teachers will update their eTwinning pages with information on the implemented activities. The school will publish on its web site information on the implementation of new teaching and for this purpose Mobility tools will be used. Evaluation: On the school level, towards the end of school year 2015 / 2016, a survey will be conducted among teachers and students with the goal of assessing success levels of the new teaching methods and to assess the teachers’ motivation for their continuation. Also, students will be evaluated in the knowledge, skills and competences acquired through the new methods of work.