Join Plato’s Garden and Michael Paulsen on 29 October for an interactive morning exploring nature-based education, learning with the living world, and new approaches to pedagogy.
How can education deepen our connection with the living world? And what does it mean to learn not only about nature, but in, with and for nature?
On Thursday, 29 October 2026, Plato’s Garden welcomes Michael Paulsen, Associate Professor of Pedagogy at the University of Southern Denmark, for an interactive morning dedicated to exploring nature-based education.
Michael Paulsen’s research focuses on life-friendly education and the possibilities of rethinking learning and pedagogy through our relationships with the living world. Building on these ideas, this session invites educators, researchers and others interested in nature-based pedagogy to come together, exchange perspectives and explore new ways of learning through shared practice.
Throughout the morning, we will spend time both indoors and outdoors, engaging in participatory activities and experimenting with different ways of connecting with nature. There will be plenty of opportunities for discussion, reflection and exchange with fellow participants.
We will conclude the session with lunch and an opportunity to continue the conversation in an informal setting.
As part of the programme will take place outdoors, please dress for the weather and bring a jacket.
Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026
Time: 10:00–12:30 (including lunch)
Location: VU Amsterdam, StartHub, Meeting Room Hovy
Registration
To register, click the sign-up button and copy Karen Verduijn’s email address. Send a short email with the subject line: “Sign up – Learning with the Living World: An Interactive Morning with Michael Paulsen”.
You can also copy the emails directly from here: karen.verduijn@vu.nl or m.torralbaviorreta@vu.nl.
About Plato’s Garden
This event is organised by Plato’s Garden, the Nature-Based Pedagogy ASI's research cluster. The cluster explores how education can foster deeper connections with nature and the living world, bringing together researchers and educators interested in rethinking teaching and learning through nature-based approaches.
Through collaborative research, dialogue and hands-on activities, Plato’s Garden creates opportunities to explore what it means to learn in, with and for nature.
Learn more about Plato’s Garden and its research.