General Information
The course is designed for primary school teachers and teachers'
trainers from E.U. countries
The general objectives of the course are
• improving environmental literacy
• improving teachers’ inquiry approach
• developing the methods of outdoor action education
• generating materials adaptable to EE in different countries
The course is organised by the Rantasalmi Institute of Environmental
Education, Rantasalmi, Finland, and the University of Joensuu, Joensuu,
Finland.
• Mrs Leena Aho, Professor, University of Joensuu
• Mr Pekka Hynninen, Director, Rantasalmi Institute
of Environmental Education
• Mr Mauri Åhlberg, Professor, University
of Joensuu, Savonlinna
Department of Teacher Education
Rantasalmi, situated some 300 km northeast of Helsinki (62º
4’ N, 28º 18’ E) in the heart of the Saimaa lake district,
is a small rural community with some 5 000 inhabitants. Nearly half of its
area is water with hundreds of kilometers of shoreline, mainly accessible
to anyone - as it’s commonplace in Finland - but here and there occupied
by a summerhouse, the ultimate dream of most Finns.
The modern facilities of the Rantasalmi Institute of Environmental
Education (RIEE), located at the Lakeland Centre of Rantasalmi and
including an auditorium with state-of-the-art audiovisual technology, a
classroom, a laboratory, and a stone workshop, provide an excellent tool
for high-quality training. In addition to the Lakeland Centre, the educational
sites frequently used by the RIEE include the Linnansaari National Park,
a geological exhibition and a geological nature trail.
All participants are requested to arrive at Rantasalmi on Friday,
June 26.
There are direct airplane connections to Helsinki from all major
European cities and from Helsinki several daily flights to the the airports
nearest to Ran-tasalmi, Varkaus (30 km) and Savonlinna (60 km).
You can also take a train or bus from Helsinki to Savonlinna.
Pick-ups from airports and railway / bus stations can be arranged on request
(see registration form). After you know your time of arrival in Helsinki
you may request for information on inland travel services (see registration
form).
Participants will be accommodated at Guest-House Kommervenkki
2 - 4 persons in a room. For a single accommodation (see registration form),
there will be an extra charge of 1050 FIM.
Kommervenkki is located on the shore of a lake - something hard
to avoid in this part of Finland - and surrounded by meadows, lawns and
thick forests. The menu of Kommervenkki includes typical Finnish food made
of fresh local ingredients. Special diets for allergic persons are available
on request (see registration form).
You can register for the course by filling in the apposite form and mailing or faxing it, by May 8, 1998,
to
Rantasalmi Institute of Environmental Education
P.O. Box 41, 58901 Rantasalmi, Finland
Fax +358-15-576 8615 (within Finland 015-576 8615)
After having sent in your registration you must have a legitimate
reason to cancel your participation. Otherwise, cancellations are subject
to compensations to the organisers as follows:
• cancellation by May 18, compensation 500 FIM
• cancellation by June 1, compensation 1000 FIM
• cancellation by June 15 or no-show, compensation 1500
FIM
Cancellations must be made in writing by mail, fax, or e-mail.
The participation fee, covering education, excursions, evening
programs and board & lodging for 7 days, is 2300 FIM. The fee will be
paid upon arrival in cash (FIM only) or with a credit card (Visa, Eurocard,
MasterCard, OK). There will be no reductions or refunds of the fee.
For excursions, field work and other outdoor activities it may
be advisable to pack in proper footwear (rubber boots or hiking shoes) and
waterproof / warm clothing.
• good command of English (all communication will
take place in English and no interpreting will be provided)
• participants are recommended to have a valid travel
/ health care / liability insurance. The liability of the organisers
is limited to damages caused by neglicence of the organisers only.
Additional information on the course can be obtained from
Mr Juha Rämö
Rantasalmi Institute of Environmental Education
P.O. Box 41, 58901 Rantasalmi, Finland
Tel. +358-15-576 8611
Fax +358-15-576 8615
E-mail: ekoakvaario@telebox.telebox.fi
