Nature Exploration Activities

Code: DES14899L

3 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/78 hours

Scientific Area: Human Kinetics

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English

Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Saúde de qualidade - Assegurar uma vida saudável e promover o bem-estar para todos, em todas as idades.

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Igualdade de género - Alcançar a igualdade de gênero e empoderar todas as mulheres e meninas.

Proteger a vida marinha - Conservação e uso sustentável dos oceanos, dos mares, e dos recursos marinhos para o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Proteger a vida terrestre - Proteger, recuperar e promover o uso sustentável dos ecossistemas terrestres, gerir de forma sustentável as florestas, combater a desertificação, deter e reverter a degradação da Terra e deter a perda da biodiversidade.

Learning Goals

1. Explain the importance of orienteering skills in outdoor activities and education
2. Describe the components of topographic maps
3. Identify safety standards and equipment related to mountaineering and climbing
4. Recognize and describe basic knots and hitches used in climbing and rappelling
5. Explain the concepts of belay systems and rope management
6. Summarize the key elements of orienteering in controlled environments
7. Interpret and explain the use of compasses and GPS devices
8. Comprehend safety procedures in indoor climbing gyms
9. Understand the integration of climbing and mountaineering into school activities
10. Apply orienteering skills and map reading techniques in practical scenarios
11. Demonstrate safe rope work, knot tying, and belaying in climbing and rappelling activities
12. Execute indoor climbing techniques, including bouldering, top-rope climbing, and rappelling
13. Integrate climbing and mountaineering principles into educational contexts

1. Orienteering and Mapping
a. Introduction to Orienteering
b. Definition and history of orienteering.
c. Importance of orienteering skills in outdoor activities and education
d. Map Reading and Interpretation:
e. Understanding topographic maps
i. compasses and GPS devices
ii. contour lines, symbols, scale, legend, and grid systems
f. Orienteering in controlled environments
g. Conducting a group orienteering challenge for school curricula

2. Mountaineering and Climbing
a. Introduction to Mountaineering and Climbing
b. History and significance of mountaineering and climbing
c. Safety standards and equipment
d. Knot tying and rope work
e. Basic knots and hitches for climbing and rappeling
f. Belay systems and rope management
g. Indoor Climbing techniques
h. Bouldering and top-rope climbing
i. Rappelling with expedited and mechanical techniques
j. Safety procedures in indoor climbing gyms
k. Integrating climbing and mountaineering into school activities

Teaching Methods

This curricular unit prioritizes:
• hands-on experiences in orienteering, mapping and mountaineering to empower students to take an active role in their learning, fostering problem-solving and critical thinking skills while connecting theory to practice
• both discipline-specific and transferable skills. Students acquire communication, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills, preparing them for diverse career paths
• digital resources for online map analysis to enhance engagement and accessibility, supporting flexible learning and skill development, aligning with the use of digital resources in pedagogy
• self-assessment, peer feedback, and regular feedback loops are considered for this unit, empowering students to monitor their progress and adapt their learning strategies
• service-learning components where students apply their outdoor and adventure skills in the community, strengthening their sense of responsibility and relationship with the local community.

Assessment

To pass continuous assessment, the student must obtain a final grade equal to or greater than 9.5 in the weighted sum of the proposed assessment tasks. Continuous assessment comprises a practical evaluation of mapping orienteering in the field combining theoretical knowledge and practical application to integrate the map reading in real terrain characteristics (learning outcomes 2, 7 and 10 - 25% quote). The second practical assessment request students to set their own rappelling structure and perform a rappel in low highs (learning outcomes 4, 9, 11 and 12 - 25% quote). Third practical assessment includes an indoor climbing challenge and climbing monitoring (learning outcomes 3, 4, 5, 9, 12 - 25% quote). A theoretical assessment integrates most learning outcomes (25% quote). Assessment by exam and appeal follows the same criteria as continuous assessment for theoretical and practical components.