In the new school year, schools can access STEM and civic participation School Bag funding for transport to AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) expeditions and research sample plots. The State Education Development Agency has assessed these educational activities as consistent with high-quality learning content and has included them in the European Social Fund project “STEM and civic participation events for a broader educational experience and career choice”.

Līga Abizāre, Head of Environmental Education at LVM, explains:

“The aim of the project is to give children and young people the chance to attend events in the fields of natural science, technology and mathematics that support the achievement of learning outcomes and objectives, in order to diversify the learning experience, link theory with practice more effectively, foster an understanding of labour market requirements in these fields, spark an interest in studying them and encourage further learning choices in those fields. The project's aim is to improve the quality of education for children and young people by integrating STEM and civic participation activities into the learning process.”

LVM Forest Expeditions for Years 5 and 6

The LVM Forest Expeditions for Years 5 and 6 included in the project's catalogue of events (event code – 2025/1/STEM/PL/18) are organised in September across eight LVM regions, and throughout the year at permanent tourism sites: the LVM nature park in Tērvete, the Vijciems cone kiln and the LVM arboretum in Kalsnava. Schools are still invited to sign up for expeditions at the permanent LVM sites by registering individually in advance and agreeing a time for the expedition. Unlike the regional expeditions, where an expert at each stop sets tasks for the pupils, at the LVM tourism sites the class walks the expedition route and completes the tasks together with one or two guides. To sign up, please contact these sites' information centres or the contact people listed below:

Latvijas valsts meži nature park in Tērvete – Inese Namniece (29183595)

Latvijas valsts meži arboretum in Kalsnava – information centre telephone 27841099

Latvijas valsts meži Vijciems cone kiln – Ivars Palejs (26478620)

“Research in the forest” for Years 8 and 9

Years 8 and 9, meanwhile, have the opportunity to travel independently to LVM sample plots in one of the eight LVM regions to carry out the interdisciplinary topic “Research in the forest” (event code – 2025/1/STEM/PL/19). In the sample plots prepared by LVM out in the field, pupils can step into the role of a forester, comparing the volume of growing timber, or growing stock, in two forest compartments and analysing the differences they find. The aim of the research work is to show pupils that tending and thinning a forest changes the natural conditions typical of the stand, the composition of plant species and the volume of the growing stock. Tending creates a more favourable environment for the trees to grow. Pupils can prepare for the research in the forest in a digital learning environment by playing the game “Mežotājs”. More information: www.lvm.lv/petijumsmeza

In total, the first round of the project “STEM and civic participation events for a broader educational experience and career choice” includes 480 different activities across Latvia, provided by a range of organisations and institutions. More detailed information on how to obtain co-funding for transport is available from school management or from municipal education authorities